Spin city

Spinning out of the tackle is a skill that all players should work on. The spin can give the player the momentum to break the tackle and move beyond the defender. This session develops the skill by recognising that the support players need to read the spin and be on hand to take a pass.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 9-11
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Getting the spinning skill right in the right environment. This is a skill best performed in close quarters, with inevitable and immediate contact pending, on the receipt of a pass. Your players need to take evasive action in the face of a possible dominant, set tackle. They must spin out of contact by leading into it with their shoulder. They must not be square on or with their back to the tackler. Players should use a wide base but quick feet. A lower centre of gravity will help increase the chance of success.

set-up

1. Recognise that you are about to be tackled immediately you receive the ball and take steps to avoid the “big hit”, to get beyond the tackler and the tackle line.
2. Step into the tackle with the shoulder you are going to spin around and drive off.

What you get your players to do

Practise with your players to improve their spinning technique (as picture 1). Then set up two bag holders, one 7 metres behind the other, and two “feeders”. One player runs forwards towards the first bag and takes a pass from the first feeder. He spins off the bag to the right and passes to the second feeder. He then gets the ball back from the second feeder and spins off the second bag to the left.