Double tackling

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Your team should take advantage of a good defensive system by not only stopping the ball carrier on the gain line, but also knocking them back and stealing the ball. This can be done with one player forcing the ball carrier to the ground, whilst another assists and then stays on his feet to steal the ball. It is a “learn by doing” skill.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Who goes low and who goes high?

The simplest rule: The first player to the tackle normally goes low, to slow down the ball carrier. The next player completes the tackle.

The first tackler should have the confidence that the second tackler will prevent the offload. This comes from practise and strong communication.

The more aggressive rule: The first tackler drives in at chest height, targeting the ball. The second tackler completes the job by tackling the ball carrier lower down.

This reduces the chances of the offload, might prevent forward momentum, and ensures your players have hands going for the ball straight away.

set-up

The first player makes the tackle.
The second player reacts to the tackle, to go in either high or low.
With a high tackle, target the ball. Stay on your feet as the ball carrier goes to ground and then rip the ball up and out.

What you get your players to do

Split your players into threes with one ball per three. The players walk and pass keeping about two metres apart. Shout “TACKLE” and the two non-ball carriers have five seconds to tackle and win back the ball from the ball carrier. The ball carrier has to keep moving before he is tackled (this momentum is key). Repeat with feedback from the players on the best methods.

A walking ball carrier is double tackled. The ball must be ripped away in less than 5 seconds.

Development

Put a feeding player and attacker on one end of a tackle bag. Stand two defenders at the other end. The feeder passes to the attacker who aims to get beyond the bag. The defenders have five seconds (change times to suit your players) to tackle and win the ball. Develop the game further by allowing the feeder to support the ball carrier. Then add more players to the defence.

Related Files

Advanced-184-double-tackling.pdfPDF, 120 KB

The ball carrier is double tackled from the side of an imaginary ruck.

Game situation

One player feeds an attack of two players at the front and one running from behind. Three defenders aim to create a double tackle situation. The defenders aim to tackle and win the ball to score at the end of the box. Change the width of the box to challenge the defence.

A team of three defenders read the movements of the attack to get into position to double tackle.

What to call out

“Leg drive through the tackle to unbalance the ball carrier”
“Target the ball and start ripping before the ball carrier goes to ground”
“Aggression and clear communication”

Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

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