After the tackle targets

SUBSCRIBE

LOGIN

Subscribe today to access over 2000+ drills, 350+ ready made practice plans, and more.

Dan Cottrell

Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is head coach of Bristol Schools U18s and the Rugby Performance coach for Bristol Grammar School.

He was head coach of Swansea Schools U15, Young Ospreys Academy, assistant coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup, director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. He played for Bath, Bristol, Esher and Clifton, South West division, Gloucestershire and Surrey.

Premium Books

Help my Players Can't Tackle

What do we recommend to coaches who ask us "Help! My players can't tackle!"?

Editor's Picks

Behind the scenes with: England U18s

Saracens Academy: Behind the scenes with the Wolfpack

Inside the plan for an international match

My best tackle drill

Contact attack and defence, with “ultras”

Defence

Defence boxers

This practice uses boxing-style footwork and arm movements to improve your players’ positioning and timing when making tackles.

3v3 chop and turnover

Use this game to develop good defensive line speed, with the aim of getting the ball carrier to ground quickly and regaining the ball.

Tacklers into jacklers

Practise the risk-and-reward elements of trying to turnover the ball in the tackle area. It starts with good tackling, then deciding ...

Risk and reward for jackling

Attempting to steal tackle ball can lead to turnovers, but also has a nasty habit of leading to penalties. Balance the pros and the cons.

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

Lightning quick hooking

Scrum-halves and hookers need to be on the same wavelength. The timing of the put-in and strike must be perfect to ensure clean ball at the ...

Winning wet lineouts

With a slippery ball, ensure lineouts are secure by getting the jumper into space to meet the throw. A pod of three acts together to beat ...

Scan and attack

Challenge attackers to react to different defensive positions. Feeding to varied starting players, the attack must adjust to win a 3v2.

Random 3v2 alignments

Use this to practise on-pitch situations, highlighting vision, the utilisation of space and the game skills required to break defences.

Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach

In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.

SUBSCRIBE

Get Weekly Inspiration

All the latest techniques and approaches

Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.

Position of the tackled player	Position of the tackler	Immediate tackler reaction	Secondary tackler reaction
Tackled player is on the ground with the tackler in front of them (usually a dominant front-on tackle, finish position).	Tackler is still on their feet in front and above the ball (dominant tackle).	Stay on feet. Get hands on the ball and lift it off the ground. Keep hold tightly or transfer to a supporting teammate.	If unable to get hands on to the ball, attempt to counter-ruck for the ball or become the first defender, immediately behind the ball.

Position of the tackled player	Position of the tackler	Immediate tackler reaction	Secondary tackler reaction
Tackled player is side-on and perpendicular to the touch line (side-on tackle). Wide gate for entry into the tackle.	Tackler is side-on and perpendicular to the touch line (side-on tackle).	If possible, maintain any momentum that you had completing the tackle. Swing and shuffle the body around and behind the tackled player. Get hands near or on the ball as the player is swinging round Plant feet wide and stay low and strong, whilst trying to lift the ball off the ground. If able to steal the ball, it should be held tightly or shifted safely back to a teammate.	If unable to contest the ball, the player is in position to counter-ruck or defend from an on-side position.