Fun tackling games: crash tackling and onesies

WHY DO THEM?

These two games are physical and give players game-relevant activities to develop their technique under pressure, while learning the difference between aggressive, 
side-on and soak tackles.

Crash

Set up

Four crash mats, four attackers, one defender.

How to do it
Put a tackler in the middle of the crash mats. Put four players numbered 1 to 4 on all four corners (see picture 1A). Call out a number: 1 and 2 aim to get to mat C,  3 and 4 to mat A (see picture 1B). The tackler uses the appropriate tackle according to the size and speed of the attacker. An aggressive tackle puts the attacker back on the mat behind them, side-on tackle to the side and a soak tackle behind them.

Onesies

Set up

A 5m square and one ball per pair.

How to do it

1v1 inside the square. Players start 1m apart, either facing each other, standing back to back, sitting back to back or in a press-up position (see picture 2). When you shout “GO” the attacker aims to score over the line behind the defender.

Technique

• Get close to ball carrier
• Head to the side of ball carrier, not in front
• Use leg drive to finish the tackle