Slide tackling

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.