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LOGINOne player, next player
Defence isn’t just tackling, it’s lining up the ball carrier and, if they pass, moving on to the next one. This drill starts the process of making the right adjustments.
WHY USE IT
Each player has to move from a front-on tackle shape to a side-on shape.
set up
A 5m box, cones and a ball.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: A defender starts in one corner of the box, with a ball carrier four steps in front of them and another attacker about 3m from the ball carrier. When you shout “Go!”, the defender tries to touch the ball carrier to stop the pass and then races across to touch the attacker. Develop this so that the defender can grab the second attacker or make a full tackle.
DEVELOPMENT: Set up as previously, but now the ball is fed to the first ball carrier, who can pass or run.
Make sure you swap sides. As above, change the level of contact to suit your players.
GAME: Play 3v3. The attack starts from their own try line. Only two defenders are allowed in the front half of the box. The third defender starts from the back of the second box. If the attackers score, they retain the ball for the next attack. If the defence touches or tackles the ball carrier in possession, or the attack runs out of the box or knocks on, the defence takes control of the ball.
COACHING POINTS
- Be in an active body position, on your toes, with arms bent.
- Come forward in a balanced way, ready to tackle or move.
More like this...
- A defender starts on the corner
- A ball carrier starts 3m away from the defender
- A support player starts 3m away from the ball carrier, one step behind
Related Files
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The defender goes for the ball carrier first and then shifts to the support player, aiming to make a two-handed touch
- When you shout “Go!”, the ball carrier takes one step and passes
- The attackers aim to score over the far line without being two-hand-touched in possession
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One defender starts on the back line and cannot go into the front box
- Three attackers aim to score at the far end without being touched in possession
- Two other defenders start on the middle line and can only go into the front box
- Swap roles if the attackers are touched in possession, go into touch or knock on
Dan Cottrell
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