EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
Referees are very sharp on ball poachers who put their hands on the ground before grabbing for the ball. You must make your players whiter-than-whiter and also far more accurate in this area. It will reduce your penalty count and increase your chances of stealing the ball.
Make sure that your ball poaching is not only technically legal but also looks legal and satisfies the referee when the ball is grabbed from the tackled ball carrier.
The defender must stay on his feet and make it look to the referee that he can support his own bodyweight. He bounces onto the ball with his hands and then up.
Two ruck pads (or tackle tubes), a ball and cones.
First, have a player practise arriving at the tackle (using a tube or pad), getting low and reaching over to grab the ball. He uses a wide base, bending at the knees and hips. He needs to reach down, momentarily putting his hands on the ground before bouncing back up with the ball (see picture 1).
Then, get your player moving sideways and going for the ball through the tackle gate to poach it (see picture 2).
Finally, put the ball between two ruck pads so the player has to dig it out. Make it a race to see if a player can grab the ball before he is driven off (see picture 3).
in Email Newsletters, Tackling
With the contact rugby not far away, you will be planning some form of tackling practice to fit into your training sessions. In these unusual times, you might find yourself almost reteaching tackling for some players. Even for more experienced players, they will need time to rediscover the safe, efficient and effective techniques and skills.... MORE
in Rugby drills, Tackling
If the tackler can get in front of the ball carrier just before the tackle, it’s easier to make shoulder contact. Young players in particular will benefit from this skill. This session develops simple defensive tracking skills so the defender gets in front of the attacker to make a two-handed touch. If they can do this, they should be in a good position to make a full tackle. MORE
in Rugby drills, Tackling
Work on what the tackler and tackled player do immediately after the tackle. Quick thinking players can create turnovers or prevent turnovers by their actions. This simple exercise can be built up over the season and aid basic tackle and post tackle skills. MORE
in Rugby drills, Tackling
Work on side-on tackles where the defenders are scrambling across to cover the attack. They will need to keep square so they don’t get sidestepped, and keep in the line with their team mates. Moving from a prone position means initially they will be disrupted and will have to find their positioning quickly. MORE
in Tackling
Develop better footwork skills to get close to the ball carrier, plus good teamwork in this defensive reaction activity. This session builds a better defence by getting pairs of players to work together. MORE
in Rugby drills, Tackling
Your approach to what you are looking for when you are coaching tackling will help you and your players focus on the right areas to improve their defensive capabilities. When I look at the tackle, I am predominantly outcome driven. If it works, then that is more important than if all the technical processes have been ticked off. MORE
