Make sure your defence is in place quickly so they can come forward to make snare tackles and poach the ball. Define roles for players around the ruck so they can race off the line and cut down the opposition attack close to the ruck.
Put five defenders and three attackers to the side of a tackle tube, which represents a ruck.
On your call, the players run into position. On your next call, the attack comes forward with the defenders coming forward to cover the attackers. Only use touch tackling because this is an organizational exercise.
Develop by having a number of tubes spread around the pitch, with players moving from tube to tube to defend.
TECHNIQUE
1: Covers the inside runner only, must not move across with the 9
2: Covers the 9 if he runs with the ball
3 and 4: Cover the first receiver
X: Runs forward and behind the ruck to houndthe inside runner, or chase the 9. If he arrives too late (they have moved the ball open), he “plugs in” behind the openside defence
Using an inverted backline shape, your runners from a ruck can give the 9 more options to pick up the best-placed player to break the defensive line. An inverted three is a group of three players that line up so the furthest player is in front. All but the first player in the line can take the ball with a player in support to drive them out and away from the previous breakdown. It’s easy for the outside players to adjust their timing to support the first player if he’s the receiver. MORE
How to take the ball close to the gain line in attack to put the defence under more pressure. It will exploit quick ball from rucks by putting attackers flat, running angles and offloading before or after the tackle. MORE
Create pace onto the ball from a “free pass” to a static player by encouraging your players to organise themselves quickly and work in threes. When the rules state that a free pass has to be to a static player, your players have to be at ease with repositioning themselves to be able to generate some pace onto the ball. MORE
To create continuity, your players need to understand their support roles at the tackle contest. They also need to practise being innovative for when it goes wrong. MORE
With up to five players in action, use this exercise to work on footwork, decision making and teamwork. Quick to set up, it can be used as part your RTP sessions or into the main season as a warm up activity. MORE
Match-time tackling can be 1 v 1, but often it’s a team effort, especially for younger players. Use this simple activity to build confidence, communication and tackle technique. MORE
