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Develop tacklers’ decision-making on whether they are the tackler, the assist or not involved, and whether they can assist at the right height.
Tackles can be missed because a defender doesn’t connect with the other defenders.
Cones; a 10m wide, 6m long box; a ball.
ACTIVITY
Put two attackers and a feeder at the side of the box, with three defenders on the same side. When you say “Go”, the two attackers move to one end of the box. At the same time, two defenders move to the other end to match up and defend. The final defender stands next to the feeder. When the attackers are ready, the feeder passes. The attackers aim to score at the far end and the defenders come forward to make a tackle. The attackers can pass and/or offload. Depending on the levels of impact required, the tackle could be a shoulder impact below the ball or a full tackle. Check for legal height and then repeat with defenders and attackers switching roles within their groups. After three goes, swap attackers and defenders and then work from the other side of the box.
DEVELOPMENT
Play the same activity but finish with a contest for the ball on the ground if a tackle is completed.
1. Put three defenders on one side of the box
2. Put two attackers and one feeder on the same side of the box
3. When you say “Go”, the feeder remains at the side with a defender
4. Two of the defenders match up against the two attackers at one end of the box
5. The feeder passes to the other attackers when they are ready
6. The two attackers move into the box to be ready to attack
7. The defenders aim to make a legal tackle either as an individual or as a pair
8. The two attackers aim to score at the other end, using running and/or passing
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