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LOGINPriority skills: Side-on tackles
There are 10 key factors for side-on tackles, but here’s one which would make the most difference to your players.
Side-on tackles enable players of all sizes to tackle efficiently.
Front-on tackles can be difficult for smaller, lighter players to execute, so it is important for players to get their alignment right to allow a side-on tackle.
Footwork and leg speed into the tackle are important to keep the tackler moving forward, closing down the ball carrier’s time and space, and helping engage the lower body.
The core factor for executing dominant and efficient side-on tackles, however, is getting your outside, or lead, leg in close to the tackle, as it engages your body’s biggest muscle group (the legs) and allows you to exert more force through the tackle.
Failing to get your feet in close, generally, makes players dive for tackles, forcing the tackler to only use their arms and, therefore, making the tackle less dominant and efficient.
Below are a couple of activities to work on getting feet in close to the tackle and driving off your front foot.
KEY FACTORS FOR SIDE-ON TACKLES
- Opposing shoulders offset with ball carrier, that is right shoulder of defender aligned with right shoulder of attacker, allowing for an offset body position.
- Accelerate the first three steps off the defensive line.
- When approaching the tackle, slow your foot speed, but keep moving forward.
- Focus on ball carrier’s hip movement. Before contact, drop your body height.
- Move your outside leg to get in close to ball carrier’s feet whilst leading with your outside shoulder
- Target contact at the thighs.
- Aggressive punch motion of your arms through the tackle.
- Drive off your front foot and accelerate through the tackle.
- Tightly wrap your arms around the ball carrier’s legs and squeeze together.
- Quickly regain your feet to attack the ball or reload into defensive line.
Related Files
- A defender works from a stationary point about 1m from a ball carrier with a ruck pad.
- They should align on the inside, to open the angle up for a side-on tackle.
- When the pad-holder motions to move forward, the defender should take a step into the pad, aiming to get their lead foot in close, in line with the pad-holder’s feet.
- Aim for the defender to get a simultaneous shoulder connection with the pad, while driving off the front foot and accelerating through the tackle.
- Focus points should be on getting the lead leg in close to the tackle, but coaches should reiterate that a strong punch and wrap of the arms post-contact is needed.
- Increase the speed and contact level to recreate more game like tackle scenarios with a double feed option
- The defender needs to laterally adjust his alignment to get on the inside shoulder of the attacker.
- The pass can come from either side.
- Once the defender has adjusted, they come forward to take away the attacker’s space and execute a side-on tackle using the key points above.
Richard Whiffin
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