Five ways to improve tackling

Here are five crucial factors to enhance coaching of your rugby players' tackling skills.

1. Focus on the shorts

An old favourite it seems from junior schools rugby, but still a good way for players to approach a tackle. By focusing on the opponent's shorts, the tackler's vision is aligned at the right height for the tackle.

2. Impact with the shoulder

In terms of the power involved in making a tackle, the "shoulder is the only weapon" is an effective mental reminder to a player trying to perform a tackle. With the arms outstretched and aiming to "impact" with the shoulder, it produces a far more aggressive contact than the arm tackles many younger players tend to perform.

Of course, the shoulder-only tackle must be discouraged. It's illegal and dangerous to player and victim alike.

3. Wrap with the arms

Practise tackling skills with tennis balls, juggling balls or rolled up socks in the hands. This encourages players to wrap their arms around their victim, rather than relying on a weaker grip with the hands.

4. Eyes open

Serge Betsen, the French flanker, is one of the world's most aggressive and effective rugby tacklers. He rarely misses his man. And a clear picture of this tackling machine's craggy face shows one of the key reasons: he keeps his eyes open through the contact.

5. Bin the bags as early as possible

A number of rugby coaches have told me to "bin the tackle bags" and see a quick improvement in my players' tackling. Use them occasionally, but not week in, week out. With tackle bags, players can become too accustomed to make the types of tackles they would never dare to attempt in a game. For example, flying in at the wrong angle among other misdemeanours.