Making effective one-on-one tackles in open play is as much about having confidence as technique. As with any skill, you start by improving your players’ technique, which leads to an improved success rate and increase in confidence.
Set up for the tackle
Anticipate the danger
Your players should be constantly scanning the opposition attackers to see where the threat is likely to come from. By anticipating the attack, defenders can close down the options and make the tackle easier.
Close down the space, cut down the options
The defender needs to quickly close down the space between himself and the ball carrier to cut down the number of options the ball carrier has. He must also decide where he wants the ball carrier to run.
If the touchline is close then he should attack the inside shoulder and force the ball carrier to run closer to touch. If there is inside support, then he should attack the outside shoulder and force the ball carrier to run back inside where the cover is.
Be accurate in the "tackle zone"
The “tackle zone” is an imaginary space between the defender and the ball carrier where the tackle is going to happen. It exists when the gap between the two players is approximately 2m.
All the hard work the tackler has done will go to waste if he is not accurate in the tackle zone.
The tackle zone check list includes:
Tackle time
No dummies or sidesteps
The tackler has to be totally focused on the target he wants to hit. This will usually be the ball carrier’s hips or chest area depending on the relative sizes of the two players.
If he is properly balanced he will be able to move left or right with the ball carrier to ensure he makes a clean hit. Once committed, the tackler must follow through with the tackle and not take a dummy or sidestep.
Developing the technique
Start at walking pace with the ball carrier starting about 5m away from the tackler.
For safety, pair players of similar size. Introduce the “tackle zone” and reinforce the check list. Gradually build up the speed and distance between the players, ensuring that the tackler’s technique remains good.
Practise full contact competitive one-on-one tackling in a wide channel. Encourage the ball carrier to have a go at fixing and beating the tackler using any strategy he wants. Then add a support player for the attacker and a second defender.
Only one-on-one tackles are allowed and the initial ball carrier cannot pass until he has either beaten the first tackler or been tackled.
This article is from Rugby Coach Weekly.
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