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Sharper angles, cut them open
If you want to work with up to six players in a breakout group to improve their tackling, try the doughnut game which also tests their technique by getting them tired.
WHY USE IT
It’s not just one-off tackles that are important, it’s tackling consistently as a team. This continuous game works a group for short periods of time and is great to help players work on their tackling while the rest of the group work on something else.
SET UP
3m circle inside a 10m circle to create a doughnut, three attackers each with a ball against three defenders.
how to do it
- Three attackers start in the 3m circle (see picture 1).
- Defenders start inside the 10m circle (the “doughnut”) but cannot leave it or enter the 3m circle. On your call of “GO”, the attackers aim to get outside the doughnut (see picture 2). Attackers score tries outside the doughnut for one point.
- Defenders score a point for a successful tackle inside the doughnut (see picture 3).
- Tackles near the outside that lead to a try is one point to both attack and defence.
- Defenders may double up in tackles. Develop by starting attackers on their fronts to reduce momentum.
TECHNIQUE
- Close the space early.
- Get close.
- Head behind the attacker.
- Drive shoulder into the legs.
- Wrap both arms.
- Drive through the tackle with feet on the ground.
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Put three attackers with a ball each inside the small circle
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Put three defenders inside the larger circle. They cannot enter the smaller circle
Related Files
- All the attackers run out at the same time
- Defenders aim to close down and tackle the attackers before they escape the circle
- Defenders gain one point for a tackle inside the circle
- The attacker scores a point if they make it out of the circle
- An attacker tackled before the edge of the circle can reach out to score one point as does the defender
Dan Cottrell
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