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Beginning Stage

Involves players initially being on their knees.

SAFE HEAD

 

OBJECTIVE To practise techniques with the side/front-on tackle and falling in the tackle.

EQUIPMENT 3-4 cones

GROUP SIZE 4

AREA Small

ACTIVITY SET-UP Tackler faces three attackers who are next to cones 2 metres away.

ACTIVITY EXPLANATION

On their knees, the tackler makes three tackles: two side-on and one front-on. Upon making the three tackles each player rotates, and the activity continues.

KEY COACHING POINTS

  • Technique with confidence is the key to effective and safe tackling – it must be practised regularly.
  • Watch and correct their technique.
  • At each stage players should practise with both shoulders.
  • Eyes on the hips as the attacker approaches. Place the head behind the attacker when making the side-on tackle and move the head to the side as the attacker comes straight on. Make firm contact with the shoulder and thrust the arms forward around the ball carrier and squeeze them tight by holding on to your own wrist.

VARIATION/PROGRESSION

  • Build up with progressions.
  • Both on knees; tackler on knees, attacker standing; both standing.

POWER MACHINE

 

OBJECTIVE To practise techniques with the side-on tackle and falling in the tackle.

EQUIPMENT 3 cones

GROUP SIZE 3 pairs

AREA Small

ACTIVITY SET-UP

Tackler stands facing two attackers. Have two players holding ball behind their backs and the tackler facing them 1m away, positioned in the middle. All are on their knees.

ACTIVITY EXPLANATION

  1. On “go”, the tackler must make as many tackles as they can in 10/20 secs.
  2. One on left then on right then back to left and so on.

KEY COACHING POINTS

  • Technique with confidence is the key to effective and safe tackling – it must be practised with head on side, shoulder first and squeeze.
  • Watch and correct their technique.
  • Points taken off if there is bad technique.
  • The defender has their eyes open and is sighting the target. They drive in with the head to the side and shoulder making a strong contact via a straight back, thrust the arms forward around the attacker and squeeze their arms together by grabbing their own wrist. Bounce up and get ready for the next tackle.

ONE ON THREE

 

OBJECTIVE To practise techniques with the side/front -on tackle and falling in the tackle.

EQUIPMENT 5 cones

GROUP SIZE 4

AREA 4m x 2m

ACTIVITY SET-UP

There are three attackers, all on their knees. All positioned in a line about 2m apart. Defender, also on knees, is facing in the same direction as attackers, is 2m in front of attackers in line with middle defender. Middle attacker has a ball.

ACTIVITY EXPLANATION

  1. On “go”, the ball is passed either left or right, or held! Only one pass can be made.
  2. Defender turns to face attackers and tackles the attacker who is advancing with the ball and trying to get past the defender.

KEY COACHING POINTS

Technique with confidence is the key to effective and safe tackling.

Watch and correct their technique.

Eyes are up, and the defender sights the hip area of the player to be tackled. The defender moves forward or sideways maintaining their view of the tackle region. They move their head behind the attacker for a side-on tackle and to the side of the attacker if the attacker is heading straight at the defender. As the head moves the defender moves forward off their knees to firmly plant the shoulder and thrust the arms through and around the attacker. Drive the knees upwards and squeeze the arms together forcing the attacker backwards or sideways.