Standing in the tackle

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Collapsing in the tackle is a problem for an attacking team. It gives the defence more opportunity to steal or slow down the ball because it is more difficult for support players to get in behind the ball carrier. Use this session to build understanding of how to keep going forward in the tackle.

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

What to think about

Staying on your feet in the tackle is about attitude. The ball carrier has to believe he can keep going and so keep his legs “pumping” in the tackle. But it is more than that – he should be twisting and fighting with his upper body to drive forward. Otherwise he becomes an easy target for a second tackler. Tactically, you can tell players that if the ball carrier is going forward, it is easier for the support players to help, and the defensive line has to move backwards.

set-up

Ball carrier: Drive forward, keeping the whole body moving, while trying to keep hips forward.
Protect the ball by keeping it away from defenders.
Win an extra metre for the team.

What you get your players to do

Put an attacker two to five metres from a line of four cones spaced out at 2m intervals. Put a feeder 3m to the side and three defenders set out as in picture 1 (at the sides and front). The attacker receives a pass and tries to get as far down the line of cones as possible. When he receives the ball, nominate a defender to tackle him (see picture 2). After a tackle is made, the feeder replaces the tackler, the ball carrier becomes the feeder and the tackler the new attacker.

An attacker receiving a pass as he runs along a line of cones. You nominate a tackler.

Development

Nominate two tacklers. Get the feeder to become the support player – he can take an offload or help the ball carrier make more ground. Change the angles of pass and tackler positions. (Let players come up with ideas on where to start).

The attacker tries to make it to the end of the cones, with a tackler trying to get him down. Develop by instructing the feeder to support the ball carrier and then use more than one tackler.

Game situation

Put four defenders along the midline of the box (see picture 3). Get four attackers to run around in their half of the box. They decide which attacker will try to break through. He runs over the midline, and the defence tries to prevent his progress. Mark down how far he goes, with a point for five metres made and the ball secured (that is available to be passed from a ruck), or a try scored (two points). As this is a one-player attack, there is no passing allowed in the defence zone and no flow of play. A tackled player earns points by either presenting secure ball or scoring a try. Once tackled, play starts once again outside the defence zone.

The attackers run around with the ball before one aims to run through the defence (who cannot leave the defence zone). No passing is allowed in the defence zone. One point for 5m covered and the ball secured or two points for a try.

What to call out

“Don’t twist in the tackle, stay going forward”
“Short powerful steps in contact”
“Don’t force an offload – be secure with your support player”

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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