Front-on tackle tracking

U9 | DEFENCE 8

Get your players used to getting in front of the ball carrier to make a strong front-on tackle

1. Mark out a 3m square area. Put an attacker on one side of the area and a defender on the opposite side. Give the attacker a ball.
2. When you say “go”, the attacker moves from side to side along his side of the area, while the defender tries to mirror his movements to stay opposite.

3. When the attacker thinks he has lost the defender, he runs forward and tries to cross the defender’s line to score.
4. When the defender sees the attacker making his move, he moves forward to make the tackle.

5. Start at walking pace, then increase the speed.
6. Develop by having a feeder who passes to the attacker as he moves forward onto the ball.

You will need

• A 3m square area
• 1 ball
• Cones
• Bibs (optional)

Got more players?

Set up more squares and run the drill with other pairs.

What to tell your players

“Work hard to stay opposite the ball carrier”
“Get in front of the ball carrier and make front-on, not side-on, tackles”