The low chop tackle brings the ball carrier down quickly. It then offers the opportunity to turn the ball over. This type of tackle isolates the ball carrier from his support and also stops or delay offloads.
Learn the basics of a chop tackle by ensuring the players use it as a side-on tackle.
Split the players into pairs with a ball per pair. Have the ball carrier at one end of the box, and the defender at the side of the box.
The ball carrier runs through the box and scores at the far side. The defender stops them using a low chop tackle.
Begin with jogging and build up to full speed. Once mastered encourage the defender to then get to their feet and challenge for the ball.
Introduce a support player with a ruck pad for the attacker to make challenging for the ball after the tackle more realistic.
Add a second defender to again make the situation just after the chop tackle more realistic.
TECHNIQUE
Get close to the ball carrier.
Aim at the lower thigh.
Shoulder in first, then a tight grip pulling the attacker’s legs together.
Drive through by powering beyond the ball carrier’s legs.
Be urgent: get back on feet and challenge for the ball.
Note: Make a big point of excellent technique. Ask non-contact players to help observe and make comments.
Upgrade your good tacklers by making them more aware of the type of tackles which would prevent offloads or create opportunities for turnovers. That will make them defenders not just tacklers. MORE
This is my favourite tackle drill because it works on both shoulders and gets in lots of dynamic repetitions of the tackle. You can easily dial up and down the pace of the drill to suit the needs of your players.
Ideally, you focus on one aspect of the tackle in this drill, running it for no more than five minutes at a time. MORE
Our problem is that one of our players, who is not small (quite tall and lean), despite training okay with tackling, during a game just doesn’t commit to a tackle. He will be running along in a good position and never move into the tackle. MORE
Getting close to the ball carrier is a key technique to be able to make an effective tackle. But chasing games don’t help build up the game skills replicated in the game. Try out these four ideas instead. MORE