Finishing the tackle

WHY USE IT

Works on what happens after a tackle is made.

SET UP

Use three cones, a ball and a tackle tube, along with a 3m box and a 25m by 15m box.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: Set up a triangle of three cones around a ball carrier, holding a ball between themselves and a tackle tube. A defender starts opposite the tube. Call out a cone to go around. The defender tackles the carrier to the ground and gets to their feet to retrieve the ball. The ball carrier holds on to the ball and tube as they fall. They then try to present the ball as if their try line was behind them.

Development: A ball carrier starts inside the 3m square, jogging around. When you call a cone letter, the defender runs around that cone and puts the ball carrier on the ground. After the tackle, identify another cone: the ball carrier has to place the ball towards that cone. The tackler prevents this, legally.

Game situation: Four attackers, with a ball each, have 10 seconds to score a try. Two defenders try to stop them. The attackers start by walking around their box; the defenders patrol along their 1m area. Shout “Go!” – the attackers can now move, and the defenders come into the attackers’ box. They touch the ball on their own try line before running towards the defenders’ try line. Once an attacker has scored, they can support a team-mate.

COACHING POINTS

• Grip and stick to the ball carrier, driving with your legs.
• ‘Finish’ the tackle by preventing clean presentation of the ball.

ACTIVITY

• Call out a cone
• The defender touches the cone, then tackles the ball carrier, who still keeps hold of the tube. This gives the tackler more time to go for the ball

DEVELOPMENT

• Call out a cone, as a ball carrier jogs around the box
• The defender touches that cone
• The defender tackles the ball carrier
• Call another letter. The tackled ball carrier aims to place the ball toward this cone, while the tackler tries to prevent this legally

GAME SITUATION

• Four attackers line up in the middle of the box, facing two defenders
• The attackers run back to the line and then try to score at the far end
• The attackers have 10 seconds to score. The defenders aim to stop all the attackers scoring.  Once an attacker has scored, they can help out a team-mate