close
LOGINAggressive tackling
Work on the front-on tackle, which represents the best opportunity to dominate the ball carrier and win the battle for the gain line.
WHY USE IT
Develop players’ ability to come forward, with or without their team-mates, to make front-on tackles.
set up
A 20m by 15m box, ruck pad, tackle tube and a tackle suit, plus four coloured cone squares (see illustration).
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Each defender guards a particular coloured cone channel. Attackers are numbered 1-4, with ruck pads, tubes, suits or just a ball. Call a number and a colour (“3, yellow!”). The nominated attacker tries to get through the cone channel and as far along it as they can. The tackler must get to the first pair of cones first, and then advance on the attacker once they enter the cone channel. The defender attempts to drive the attacker back out of the cones, as far as they can. Work for a minute before changing roles.
DEVELOPMENTS: Widen the channels. Have more than one defender tackling in a channel. Add more defenders. Don’t stipulate which defender goes to which channel, and have 1-3 attackers going to different channels at the same time. One attacker per channel, but they decide where they go.
COACHING POINTS
- The tackler gets into position early and first.
- Hands up, elbows in.
- On contact, hit with the same shoulder and foot forward.
- Drive through the gut and drive upwards, like a jet plane taking off.
- Have four players with either a ball, tube, pad or suit
- Set out different coloured boxes in front of the players
Related Files
- Call which number and box the ‘carrier’ needs to run to
- The numbered player runs to the box
- The player in front of the coloured box comes forward and drives into the carrier
- Have multiple boxes and players working at the same time
- Add in more defenders. Any number can come forward to make the tackle
Mark Calverley
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
