Get players used to making and taking tackles correctly by working backwards through the tackle
Put your players into pairs and ask them to get into space. Tell them to decide who will be the tackler and who will be the attacker. Start with the players on the ground, with the tackler in a good finish position and the attacker holding the ball.
The tackler crouches and puts his arms around the attacker’s legs. The attacker does a parachute roll and the tackler just topples over with him.
The attacker starts upright, the tackler crouches with arms ready but not touching the attacker. Then the tackler moves forwards, nudges his shoulder into the attacker’s legs and wraps his arms around them. Attacker falls with this momentum and the tackler lands on top.
As step 3, but the tackler starts upright and steps into the tackle.
The attacker walks forward towards the tackle and the tackler takes a step into the tackle and repeats step 4.
Develop by moving from walking, to jogging to higher speeds and closing from increasing distances.
You will need
Plenty of space, preferably with soft ground
1 ball per pair
Bibs (optional)
Got more players?
Just add more pairs, making sure they all have enough space.
What to tell your players
“Keep your head behind or to the side of the attacker” “Drive into the tackle with your feet”
If you are able to train, then you will be aiming to improve your players’ skills and tactical appreciation around specific areas of the game. If you are in lockdown, it’s a chance to hone your session planning in readiness for your return. MORE
One of the most difficult things to teach a group of players is their ability to change from a defensive mindset to an attacking one effectively. Here is an activity that does just that. Make the players think that they need to defend as an organised unit and then be able to attack at pace when the ball is turned over. It’s not going to be easy. MORE
Here’s a headline that’s not going to get your players back to training quickly: Tackling and Fitness Training. However, as we focus on safety and reducing the exposure to a concussion, all the most recent data suggests we need to have better-prepared players. In particular, the fitter the player, the stronger they are, and more... MORE
Following on from last week’s defence exercise, replicate moving across to the pitch to defend from a slow or quick ruck. It’s a matching up then coming forward exercise. Defenders have to scan what’s in front of them whilst running across the pitch to get to the next ruck. They have to number up and adjust quickly. Once the ball is out, the outside defenders must close down the space in front of them. This session develops these ideas. MORE
Work on line-speed with specific targets for your defensive line as opposed to the normal “good line speed”. It will create pressure on the attacking line. Defensive cohesion is as important as making the tackles themselves. Work on line-speed and togetherness with this session. MORE