Reaction tackles

U13–U16 | DEFENCE 4

Work on the footwork to get the tackler in the right position to make a semi-front-on tackle

1. Put a ruck pad holder by a cone. Put a tackler one step in front of him and a ball carrier about 1m behind him. Place a second cone 4m to the left of the first.
2. When you say “go”, the tackler two-hand pushes the ruck pad holder. At the same time, the ball carrier runs left.
3. The tackler aims to tackle the ball carrier. The ball carrier can go no wider than the 4m cone.

4. When the tackle is made, new tacklers and ball carriers can come in and take their place. Once players are used to tackling to the left, move the cone to the right of the ruck pad holder.
5. Develop by having two tacklers working together, with the second tackler targeting the ball or aiming to steal it once the tackle is made.

You will need

• 1 ball
• Cones
• 1 ruck pad
• Bibs

Got more players?

As long as you have enough ruck pads, you can get as many threes tackling as you possible.

What to tell your players

“Take short steps to get into position”
“Grip the ball carrier tightly”
“Drive him to the ground”