Front-on and side-on low tackles can bring down ball carriers quickly. In this tackle template, here’s what the defender should do to complete the tackle effectively.
Most tackles are neutral or passive. That means that the tackler concedes some ground after the impact. That’s not a bad thing, as long as the tackle is completed and the ball carrier goes to ground quickly.
Even at the top level, unless there are two tacklers to one ball carrier, most tackles are aimed at bringing the ball carrier down fast.
When you see the best players in action, their technique is pretty much the same:
Head up and eyes open.
Body active and ready to drive forward.
Impact with their shoulder.
Finish with a tight grip between their arms, shoulders, body and head.
For activities and techniques to improve precision in the tackle try out…
If the tackler can win the first part of the impact, they can manipulate the ball carrier – slowing down possession or even winning the ball back. Here are four ways to make a bigger impact… MORE
Use these two activities to work on the tackle impact and grip for a front-on and side-on tackle. They’re good exercises to use before more intense tackle work and can form part of your warm-up. MORE
Shuffling and cross-over steps are essential skills for a defender to react to a change of direction of an attacker. Work on these in the development of your players’ tackling progression. MORE
Work on the basics of taking a drop kick, both to score points by kicking at goal in open play or, more commonly, for taking restarts, like kick offs. MORE
Use this game-skill-game approach to develop your players tackling skills and game awareness of how to complete the tackle. It focuses on footwork and shoulder contact. MORE
Not all rucks are made the same and neither are the players. Especially in the forwards, the difference in height can mean they need to explore varied techniques. Here’s how… MORE
Here’s how you can mix up your training session when you are working with the forwards to ensure they concentrate on the rucking techniques they are most likely to use. MORE
A lot of rugby is a race – who’s first to the ball. In this activity, it’s who’s first to the ruck and then who’s first to be in a strong position to win or retain the ball. MORE
