Tackling drills are the single most important part of your training; it’s vital that you prepare your players to tackle safely. These tackling drills are tried, tested and proven to be the most effective ways to introduce and develop tackling skills.
From EasiCoach Rugby Skills Activities U9 & U10 Get your players used to tackling side-on with either shoulder. 1. Split your players into pairs, give them a ball and get them working on a “halfway” tackle. This means that the tackle starts halfway through, with the tackler already in position with his shoulder on the […]
By Colin Ireland, Physical Education teacher with sixteen years’ experience working for the Scottish Rugby Union With a large group of players new to tackling, there are four approaches you can take. Use two experienced players to demonstrate tackle technique. Then pair players up and let them have a go, with you observing and helping […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Beef up your defence so players make tackle after tackle. The opposition will be put under immense pressure in attack and will be staggered by your defensive work rate. Why use it We always tell players to get up quickly after the tackle but how often do we create practices to […]
From EasiCoach Rugby Skills Activities U9 & U10 Work on the strength of the grip in the tackle so that your tacklers can hold the ball carrier and then use their bodyweight to drag him down. 1. Divide your players into pairs – make one of each pair an attacker and give him a ball. […]
By Mark Calverley, RFU Level 3 and IRB Level 4 qualified coach, and owner of the NZRFU Practicum award – the highest coaching award in New Zealand Former England prop Darren Garforth once revealed that in all of his coaching up to international level, he had never been taught how to tackle safely and correctly! […]
By Eamonn Hogan, experienced rugby coach working with representative teams in the UK and the US It’s not easy to keep kids interested in tackling or making full contact. Try these three fresh ways to work on tackling with your youngest players. As a coach, everything becomes more ingrained in the players’ minds if you […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Improve your players’ tackle technique along with understanding the role of the closest defenders both inside and outside the tackler. Why use it Create match-like scenarios where “gangs” of three react to their team mate’s tackling to help prevent attacking continuity. Set up Balls, cones, a 3m x 5m tackle zone […]
Get players used to falling correctly in the tackle to prevent injury and presenting the ball back to team mates quickly so they can play on. 1. Put four pairs of players on one side of the area and four single players on the opposite side. Give one player in each pair a ball. 2. […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Increase the number of turnovers your players make by using a surf boarder’s “pop up” to get them back to their feet as quickly as possible. Why use it This develops a player’s ability to get back to his feet quickly after a tackle and target the ball. It also improves […]
Get players used to making a low tackle against an attacker running at pace. 1. Have a defender on one knee on the halfway line in the middle of the area, and an attacker on the sideline facing him. 2. The aim is for the defender to make five tackles on one side, in this […]
