5 ways to make sure you complete a tackle

A tackle is not over until the ball carrier is on the ground and the tackler is getting back into the game. Your players need to understand the technical aspects of this.
By Sean Holley, former Bristol and Ospreys coach

Players should fix their eyes on a target area that is roughly the attacker’s core and midline as the point to position their shoulder contact.

The chin should be off the chest to maintain balance. There is a misconception that arms and shoulder are the drivers. The legs execute and finish off the tackle.

Five key points to completing the tackle effectively:

01

The tackler must look to hit beyond the point of contact. This ensures he does not fall short and his momentum impacts the ball carrier on the tackler’s terms.

02

Ensure the back is straight. The tackle height is maximised by sinking at the knees.

03

With shoulder planted, chin off the chest and head to the side of the attacker, the tackler should be in close enough to use his arms and hands to grab around legs and waist for a vice-like grip.

04

Leg drive is the most important aspect of tackle completion. The power from the legs propels the tackler and ensures the technical positioning of the head, shoulder, arms and spine alignment work efficiently. If effective, the ball carrier can be unbalanced, reducing his ability to offload the ball.

05

Bringing the attacker to ground completes the tackle but must be done on the tackler’s terms. Safety is important here, especially landing to the side or on top of the tackled player. Encourage the tackler to keep their head tight the ball carrrier.

The tackler must look to get to his feet quickly to play the ball or take the space at the developing tackle contest.

Coaching ideas

• Put your players into 1v1 and 1v1+1 (an extra defender) situations - see the Tackle Star exercise.
• Vary the type of attacker the tackler is up against. Walk through the potential outcomes, so they learn the appropriate method to approach a tackle before completing it.
• Provide a gain line and a scoring/competitive outlet for the players to gain feedback.
• Practise technique when the players are fresh.

TACKLE STAR

How to play

• In a 10m box, on the whistle, both the attacker and defender go around one of the three cones in their half of the box. This changes the angle and direction at which the tackle has to be made.
• Encourage the tackler to win the race to the gain line. Make the activity competitive by introducing a scoring system based on tackle completion or tackles missed.
• Add in an attacker and defender who have to run to different cones before supporting the ball carrier and tackler.