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.
Put two defenders at one end of the box facing away from an attacker at the other end. The attacker moves from side to side.
When you shout “TURN”, the defenders turn around and aim to touch-tackle the attacker before he makes it to the other end of the box. The ball carrier comes forward immediately.
DEVELOPMENTS
Initially develop by starting the attacker further forward, or even having two attackers, so defenders have to identify the ball carrier as well as then closing him down.
Allow full tackling.
Finally develop by working in a longer box, with the try line in the middle. The defenders turn to defend against one attacker coming from one end and then sprint back to defend against an attacker coming from the other end.
Even the top teams recognise they don’t practise side-on tackling enough.
Use this session to work on quick-to-ground tackling, against a dynamic attacker. MORE
The best tacklers read the movements of the ball carrier and anticipate where they are going. This session improves anticipation skills by focusing on the core of the ball carrier. MORE
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. MORE
A tackle is completed when the tackler has done everything in his power to prevent the tackled player releasing the ball to his team’s advantage. Work on what happens next. MORE
Use this full session to build up the right footwork to make strong tackles, both on an individual basis and in a team context. Warm up with some footwork and gentle contact, then start to increase the intensity. MORE
