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To make effective tackles the defender’s feet need to be in the right position at the right time. Using tracking exercises and competitive games is a way to develop effective footwork for tackling.
Tracking
Tracking is using good footwork and agility to move close enough to make an effective tackle.
For instance, a defender tracks the movement of the ball carrier before moving forward to tackle them.
Using games helps players to judge their own balance as they follow the ball carrier and to understand what works for them when they move forward.
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Footwork essentials
- The tackler’s footwork must always be on the balls of their feet.
- The tackler’s feet must be underneath their centre of gravity to keep them balanced.
- The tackler must be moving forwards, even when they are moving laterally.
- The tackler needs to plant one foot in front of the ball carrier just before the hit (it doesn’t matter which foot).
Tracking activity
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Put a defender and an attacker on opposite edges of a 3m square box. The ball carrier moves left and right between the two cones. The defender has to mirror his movements to stay opposite him. When the ball carrier
moves forward, the defender has to react and move to meet him.
The defender must plant a foot in front of the ball carrier and make a chest-on-chest hit (not full tackle).
Encourage the ball carrier to beat the defender. Slowly build up to a full contact one-on-one game.
You can have lots of boxes working at the same time. It is also a good pre-match warm-up exercise.
Dan Cottrell
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