The tackler targets the opposition player's waist. He needs to get low in order to get under any potential hand off.
Keep moving
The tackler keeps moving forward and has to get in front of the ball carrier. Just before contact he should set himself in a strong crouched position with one foot slightly in front of the other.
Head up
The head stays up, with the eyes looking at the target until contact is made.
Shoulder, head, arms
Contact is made with the shoulder. The head tucks in tight to the hip and the arms form a tight band round the thighs.
Roll back
From the strong crouch position just before contact, the tackler rolls back using the ball carrier's momentum to bring them to ground.
The games in my 48 Rugby Skills Manual will challenge your players, whilst allowing them to practise their skills and develop their tactical awareness in the face of committed opponents.
Click here to order your copy of 48 Rugby Skills Games now, and to read more about the manual and how the games can benefit your coaching.
Create low-impact tackle situations where the defender has to move into position without much time to think. A sharp response and accurate technique are called for in this defence activity. MORE
Prepare for full-on tackling practice with this low impact, no-pads warm up. The players develop their footwork, their head position and grip in a dynamic environment. Plus, they get in lots of repetitions. MORE
A defender who finishes on top of the tackle is a valuable asset, because he’ll be quicker to join the next phase of the game. Help players learn the skill and understand the benefits with this activity. MORE
The type of tackle a defender might use depends on the space either side of him. Practise this activity to work on the defender’s decision-making in the set-up, footwork and tackle execution. MORE
Get the detail right when coaching skills and everything will fall into place. Let's look at what players should do just before tackling a ball carrier. MORE
