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LOGINSlide tackling
In this game-related activity, players slide across to tackle. It puts defenders under pressure to work together to cover attacks that move the ball wide.
WHY USE IT
Most ball carriers want to avoid tacklers, so side-on tackles are more common than front-on.
set up
Cones and two balls, and a 25m-wide area for the game.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: Set up a defender and ball carrier, as in the top illustration. Set up a mirror group, too. The ball carrier jogs around the cones and aims at the gap in front of them. The defender tracks across to make the tackle. Increase the pace of the exercise as the players become more confident.
DEVELOPMENT: Set up two attackers and two defenders, as in the middle illustrations. The attackers run around the cones and attack the gap in front of them. The defenders track across. Use full tackling, with the emphasis on getting the ball carrier on the ground. Attackers can pass the ball before and in the tackle.
GAME SITUATION: Put three defenders in the small gap, about 10m in front of the try line, as in the bottom illustration. Five attackers stand opposite them. Release the attackers, who have to score at the far end. They can set up in any way they want. Adjust the starting point for the defenders to pose different problems.
COACHING POINTS
- Get into position to make the tackle by keeping eyes open, targeting the shorts, putting their head behind the legs and clamping and squeezing them.
- Aim to intercept the ball carrier, rather than meet them.
- Put a defender in each box
- The attacker jogs around the corner and aims to score in the narrow gap
- The defender moves when the attacker reaches the corner
- Use either low grab tackles or full tackles
Related Files
- Two defenders move across to defend the wide area
- The attackers run around the cones and attack the wide area
- Use full tackling
- Have three defenders against five attackers
- Against full tackling, the attackers aim to score at the far end
- Adjust the starting points for both sets of players to create different scenarios
Dan Cottrell
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