close
LOGINUp and tackle
Work on side-on tackles, where defenders scramble to cover the attack. They must keep square to avoid being side-stepped and stay in line with team-mates.
WHY USE IT
Moving from a prone position means initially they will be disrupted and will have to find their positioning quickly.
set up
A 5m box and ball, then a 15m wide, 5m long box, and finally a 20m box and two balls.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY: A ball carrier starts on their front in the middle of one end of the box. A defender is also on their front, in the middle of one side of the box. The ball carrier gets up and tries to run to the far end of the box without going off at the side. The defender has to react and put them on the ground.
DEVELOPMENT: Three defenders lay on their fronts, spread out up to 5m from one edge. Put a feeder just to the side of this edge. Three attackers run into the box, with the defenders getting up once the ball has left the feeder’s hands.
GAME SITUATION: Four defenders start in the middle of the box, with two on their fronts facing one way, and two on their fronts facing the other. Put four attackers on each side, each group with a letter. Shout out a letter – that group has to attack to score at the far side. Reset after a try, turnover or infringement. Have five goes and then swap.
COACHING POINTS
- Focus on tackling low and driving through the tackle.
- Keep light on your feet before you tackle, so you don’t plant.
- Put an attacker with a ball at the side of the box
- When the ball carrier moves, so does the defender
- Put a tackler on his front at the back of box
- The defender aims to stop the attacker before the try line
- Adjust the start positions to suit different players
Related Files
- Three attackers aim to beat three defenders, who start on their fronts
- A feeder passes in the ball. Only then can the defenders get to their feet
- Start the defenders inside the attackers so they have to move up and across
- Four defenders start on their fronts and react to which group attacks first
- The groups attack randomly on your call
- After each attack, the defenders return to the middle
Dan Cottrell
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Premium Books
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.
