Hip, twist or turn?

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Though we want the ball carrier to avoid contact, there will be times when they will be tackled and still able to adjust to take the impact on their own terms.

There are some principles for this contact, but not every circumstance suits just one type of body position.

There are three main types of body position:

The full turn, so the back is into the opposition.
The twist and step, when the chest is facing the touchline.
The ball on the hip, when the chest is down the pitch.

Before we can assess each one, we need to prioritise the outcomes that we want.

Ball retention: Which option makes sure we keep the ball safe and secure?
Speed of continuity: We want to make sure we can win the ball back quickly enough to stress the defence.
Go forward: If we can’t win the ball back quickly, can we still go forward?

Training tips

Use more player v player contests rather than player v pads.
Mix and match the sizes. Players might have to change their style to suit the situation.
Create different scenarios where there may be more defenders or more supporting players. These players might join the situation at different times.

TURNING WITH THE BALL

As contact is made, the player turns and presents their back to the opponent, and presents the ball two-handed towards their own goal line.

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Pros

Places their whole body between the defender and the ball creating a large block
Has maximum grasp and protection of the ball
Can see who they are handing the ball off to

Cons

Has no effective forward drive
Can easily be tackled to the ground if support is not immediate
Risks being hit around the kidneys which is painful, even dangerous

THE TWIST AND STEP

Just before contact, the ball carrier turns and steps into the contact, with the ball on the hip of the back leg.

Related Files

rcw-155-hip-twist-or-turn.pdfPDF, 175 KB

Pros

Powerful contact with the opposition
Difficult to bring the ball carrier to ground because of the wide stance
The ball is away from the opposition
If the defender is rocked back, can turn either forward to drive forward or turn back to hand the ball off

Cons

Stops any further momentum
Limits the passing/continuity options

Ball on hip

As contact is made the player faces forwards and places the ball on the hip furthest from the defender.

Pros

The player can keep driving forwards
Less easy to tackle to ground
Moves the ball away from defender

Cons

Only controlled by one hand
No vision of who is taking ball
Exposes ball on one side to defenders if support is not immediate

Ian Diddams

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