VIDEO: Tag defending as a team

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.

1. 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.
2. Put two attackers at one end of the box and another at the other.
3. 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.
4. 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

Defend against attackers

in Defence, EasiCoach

U8 MINI-TAG | DEFENDING 1 ACTIVITY: TAG THE RUNNERS Put a defender in the middle of the area. Put a group of three attackers on each corner of the area and number the groups 1 to 4. The aim is for the attackers to run to the opposite try line without being tagged by the defender.... MORE

Understand the offside law

in Defence, EasiCoach

U8 MINI-TAG | DEFENDING 3 ACTIVITY: SQUEAKY CLEAN Set up three attackers against five defender and play normal tag laws, where a tagged player has to pass the ball. After a tag the defenders have to “get onside” and the tagger has to give back the tag correctly. The attack has six “tags” to score a... MORE

Stand in the correct position for a restart

in Defence, EasiCoach

U8 MINI-TAG | DEFENDING 4 ACTIVITY: WHO’S READY FIRST? Split your players into two teams. Put half of each team on one side of the area and half on the other. Players should line up along the side of the area with one “half team” on each side of the centre cone. You stand in the... MORE

Work together as defenders

in Defence, EasiCoach

U8 MINI-TAG | DEFENDING 5 ACTIVITY: TRACK THE ATTACKERS Three attackers spread out along one of the long sides of the area and two defenders stand on the opposite side. The attackers pass a ball from side to side between themselves. When you shout “go”, the ball carrier runs forward with the other two attackers. Their... MORE