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LOGINDefence boxers
This practice uses boxing-style footwork and arm movements to improve your players’ positioning and timing when making tackles.
WHY USE IT
Uses boxing-style footwork and arm movements to improve players’ tackling. They should end up in better positions to complete tackles.
set up
A 10m box; then lots of 5m boxes; finally, a 15m box.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Pairs of players start inside the box. One player in each pair is given a ball. They bob around in the box, with their partner shadowing them in a boxer’s stance. When you shout “Tackle!”, the ball carrier plants their feet. The non-ball carrier then drives their shoulder into the side of the ball carrier and grabs them. Keep swapping roles.
DEVELOPMENT: Put the pairs into their own boxes. The ball carrier runs between the two end cones, with the tackler shadowing in the middle of the box. When you shout “Go!”, the ball carrier runs forward, aiming to get to the far end. The defender aims to tackle them to the ground.
GAME SITUATION: Play 2v3. Two attackers aim to score at the far end. One of the three defenders can move between the two boxes; the other two have to stay in their halves of the box. There can only be two defenders at any one time in the same half as the ball carrier. Rotate one attacker and one defender after each attempt. Use full contact.
COACHING POINTS
- Step into the tackle.
- Once you have ‘punched’, grip and squeeze with the arms.
- The non-ball carrying player in the pair shadows the ball carrier, until you shout “Tackle!
- The ball carrier stops and plants their feet. The other player drives their shoulder into the ball carrier, then grabs them
- The defender should be light on their feet and have their hands in a combat stance (see inset)
Related Files
- The tackler shadows the ball carrier as they move side to side, using a boxing stance
- When you shout “Go!”, the ball carrier aims to get to the other side
- ‘Sting like a bee’: The players stay light on their feet and keep their arms active, before ‘punching’ like a jab towards the ball carrier, their arms going to the side, shoulder engaging and head going into the side of the ball carrier
- Play 2v3
- The attackers can run anywhere
- One defender must stay in each box, while the third roams freely
Dan Cottrell
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