Tackle tracking

WHY USE IT

Poor footwork makes effective and technically correct tackling difficult. This fun, unpredictable drill makes tacklers conscious of their footwork in a game-like situation.

Set up

A 10m box, coloured cones and a ball per pair.

HOW TO PLAY

ACTIVITY: Ball carriers stand on cones on two adjacent sides of the box, with tacklers awaiting on the same-coloured cones on the opposite side. On your whistle, the ball carriers run across the box towards their target cone, avoiding each other, but must move on your second whistle. This will influence the ball carriers’ running line and speed. The tacklers must stay on the tackle line and track their designated ball carrier, remaining square on to them using their vision and footwork. When the ball carrier reaches the tackle line, the tackler should be ready, low and in a strong position when they make shoulder contact only with the ball carrier.

DEVELOPMENTS: The activity can start at a low, walking-like pace and increase to game-like intensity as players become more familiar with it. The ball carriers’ starting positions can be staggered to affect running lines and the intensity of them entering contact and, therefore, the tackler’s timing.

COACHING POINTS

• Use your footwork to remain square.
• Change body height into the tackle.