Tackle training tips

Players need to know why they are doing a tackle drill – and, most importantly, when and why they may chose a particular tackle method.

Paint the picture. For example, let’s say the ball carrier is trying to go forward. They have a ball tucked under one arm, aiming to create a dent in the defensive line.

They are probably running at the inside shoulder (see picture above). Here, the tackle type might be a drive tackle, and the goal is to knock them backward and reset the line.

Defender cues

1. Take away the space: We don’t want the ball carrier to gain ground, so the defender needs to come forward.
2. Strong posture: To make a dominant tackle, the tackler needs a forward aggressive posture. The back isn’t round, the shoulders back and everything is square. In other words, the spine is in line, and the defender is not moving sideways.
3. Lower body explosion: A well-timed contact needs the legs and hips to explode into the tackle.
4. Crisp arms: The arms should be strong, which means elbows tucked in rather than flailing in the tackle.
5. Dominate or steal: A dominant tackle drives the ball carrier backwards. The defender must work ‘vertical’, which means remaining square and moving towards their try line. The ball carrier is knocked backwards, and the defence can pile through on the counter ruck.