Tackling revision session

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1 v 1 wrestling exercises to start the session

	SESSION DETAIL	RATIONALE
Warm up Confidence in contact games	Play contact games in pairs. Players on their knees wrestle their opponent to the ground. One player lies on top of the other and tries to stop them getting up. One player starts on their hands and knees and resists as his partner tries to flip him over.	Confidence in contact games are designed to get players used to being in contact with each other in controlled situations. They also develop core and upper body strength, vital for effective tackling.
Game Walking rugby	Two even teams play full contact rugby league style (play the ball through the legs after each tackle). Each team has five tackles before the ball is turned over. Play at walking speed on a wide pitch (enough space for a minimum of 5 metres per player). Referee the walking aspect very strictly to start with. If a player jogs or runs it’s immediately a penalty. Players can only tackle from the waist down and the ball carrier must carry the ball in two hands at all times.	Reducing the speed actually makes tackling harder as the tackler cannot use the momentum of the ball carrier. It also reduces the impact of collisions and allows players to build confidence. Meanwhile, you can better evaluate their technique. Rugby league means there are no rucks and more individual tackles.
Technical development 1 v 1 tackle technique	Pair off players of equal abilty and size, and set them up in 3m squares. Start with the tackler on their knees and the ball carrier walking. Progress to the tackler crouching and the ball carrier slowly building up his speed. Finish with a full-contact 1 v 1 contest with the ball carrier trying to beat the tackler to score. Each pair can move on to the next progression at their own speed.	Using equal ability/sized pairs means your weaker tacklers can develop confidence with less fear of being hurt. Focus on the basics: Eye on the target (thigh). Head behind and engage with the shoulder. Arms wrapped tightly round the legs.
Game Contact rugby	Two even teams play full contact running rugby on a narrow pitch (enough space for about two metres per player). At restarts the attacking team starts 2 metres away from the defenders with a tap and pass. The defending team cannot compete for the ball after the tackle but must realign a metre back from the tackle. Count the number of consecutive tackles the defending team make and challenge their opposition to beat their score.	The narrow pitch means lots of tackles will be made, but the ball carriers will find it difficult to build up momentum in their running. The defenders need to get used to getting back onside at the tackle and then moving forward to meet the ball carrier.

HOW INTENSE IS THE SESSION

This session involves a lot of contact. Players will tire quickly and the quality will drop. Keep each section short and sharp, with plenty of rest periods inbetween. By the time the final game comes along, the players will be working on tackling when they are fatigued.

Consider using the session even when your side are tackling well, or defence has not been an issue. If your team has been winning a few games in a row, then this might be a good time to remind them of the basics should they face a tougher prospect in their next match.

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Related Files

6_RCW_116.pdfPDF, 250 KB

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.

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