VIDEO: Tag defending as a team

by Dan Cottrell in Rugby coaching videos, Touch, Tag & Sevens

Help tag players understand how to work together to make a tag tackle. It also helps the ball carrier develop their evasive skills to break through the defensive line.

Put three defenders across the middle of a 5-7m box. One in the centre of the box, and the others about 2m either side of the centre player. Use a cone to help the players know where to start.
Put two attackers at one end of the box and another at the other.
The first attacker tries to get to the other side of the box without being tagged. If they are tagged, they wait to have their tag returned before passing on the ball to the attacker at the opposite end of the box.
Let each attacker have at least two runs each before swapping attackers and defenders. Rotate the middle player after each round.

For more EasiCoach activities on defending, try out the following

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Footwork bumps

in Footwork and evasion, Return to play, Touch, Tag & Sevens

Encourage your players to use good footwork in small spaces by avoiding contact. These two fun activities are excellent for warming up body and mind. Though rugby is a contact game, avoiding it is a core skill. There are no set techniques because each player will have their own style. Let them develop it in these two activities. MORE

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in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, Touch, Tag & Sevens

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in Return to play, Small-sided games, Touch, Tag & Sevens

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in Rucking & Mauling, Rugby coaching videos, Rugby drills

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VIDEO: Boxer tackles to build better tackle technique

in Rugby coaching videos, Rugby drills, Tackling

Use this four stage exercise to build better tackle technique. By emulating a boxer, the tackler develops balanced footwork, staying square to the target, punching the hands forward and then, at the end engaging the shoulder. It help players become more confident in contact. MORE

Converting opportunities in the Red Zone

in Attack, Rugby coaching videos

Build pressure on opponents by going forward and retaining possession in the “red zone”, that’s near to the opponent’s try line. Use this activity to create that scenario. MORE

VIDEO: Tag defending as a team

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