Under 11/13 – Front on Tackling

This is an important time in each player’s development as if they are coached to use correct and safe technique in contact then they will be not only successful but will build the necessary confidence to partake fully in the game.

Some players will be ready for contact a lot sooner than others so it is important that any contact situations are planned according to the size of players, matching the maturity of players and what degree of pace and intensity is best suited.

With this in mind it is a good idea to use bags and shields in the early development of contact before moving in to player on player situations. When doing this the coach must make sure that correct technique is being applied.

Front On Tackle

The side on tackle should be well ingrained in the players by the time they get to the “Playing Rugby” level (U12/13) but it will need plenty of reinforcement throughout the grades.
When the players are considered sufficiently mature and strong enough the Front On Tackle can be introduced.
As the game develops more and more front on tackling is required, especially close to the ruck area, but also as size starts to count and the hit up is used as a form of attack. Also, you can be certain that defending close to the line will require a front on tackle.
The aim is to stop the opponent in his tracks and drive him back. This is distinct from the side on tackle.

Pre-Contact
Sight the target. The target is on the waist level or slightly above in the mid rift. As players get stronger and more skilful they can target the man and the ball with a hard shoulder hit.
Get in to the pre-tackle stance. Crouch by bending the knees. Keep the back straight at about 45 degrees. Elbows are in tight and fingers pointing upwards. Eyes are open, chin is up.
Go Forward: About a metre away start taking small steps and get in to balance ready for an explosive hit

Contact
Hit hard with the leading shoulder by stepping in with a strong and larger step. Make a firm hit.
Drive the arms through and lock on with the arms.
The body position in this tackle is designed to hit so that the upper body is stopped and driven back.

Post-Contact
Keep driving with the legs so that the player goes backwards and the tackler ends up on the top.
Regain feet quickly and contest possession of the ball.

ACTIVITIES
1- Body Position
Everyone takes up the correct body position for contact.
Crouched – straight back – eyes up – one foot leading – same shoulder forward – elbow out the front – ball tucked under back arm but still in two hands.
Coach calls ‘forward / backwards/left/right’ and players must shuffle their feet getting used to being in this position and their feet keeping them in balance using short steps. Make sure they alternate the front foot.
Call this out at any time during training and all the players must get in to this position.

2- Hit the Shield
This is to teach and monitor the pre-contact, contact and post-contact skills.
Have as many players on shields as possible.
Attackers line up 3metres away facing a shield.
They will then go through the ‘fast-balance-explode’ routine.
Sight the target – get in to the pre-tackle stance – go forward with small steps – step in close to the target and make shoulder contact – lock on with the arms – use a power drive to force the shield backwards – end up on top (if applicable) – get back on to feet and stand over the shield.
Use the other shoulder next time.
Build up the intensity on the  shield as the players improve.
Introduce a ball attached to the shield/held by the player on the shield/lying on the ground near the tackle zone. The tackler must get to his feet and recover the ball.

3- Fitness Fun
Using the same concept as above.
Have 3 players on shields in an 8 x 8 grid. As many grids, as possible.
Everyone has one minute to tackle, drive, end up on top and get up to go on to another shield as many times as possible.
Make sure they don’t lose their shape. Have the shields held at waist level.
Get those watching to count the ‘tackles’.

4- The Real Thing
When the players are confident introduce the ball carrier without a shield.
Start with very small grids about 4m long and 2m wide so that good technique takes place.
The tackler by this stage should have been through a few weeks of tackling drills.
Make sure each step in learning the skill is continually repeated.
The aim of the attacker is to score a try by running straight over the tackler.
The aim of the tackler is to dominate him and drive him back.
In pairs or small groups make sure all players have the same amount of tackles to make.

5- The King Tackler
Carry out a drill like the ‘Real Thing’.
Each player has 2/3 tackles to make against 2/3 different attackers (called out by the coach)
The rest of the squad watch and call out a mark /10 for each tackle. Who is the best?

6 – Options Post Contact
In a small grid (5m x 5m) with 3 attackers v 4 defenders.
The coach sets up a couple of different scenarios: a) defending the line b) defending near the ruck on the halfway
a) In this scenario the defence must drive the attacker backwards; recover the ball; and set up a mini driving maul.
The attacker starts on his own as soon as contact is made the other attackers can join in. The defence works in unison based on the tackler. The coach will need to police this area to create what he is wanting to evolve.
b) In this scenario the defender wants to regain possession; the next two defenders will clean out the next attackers; the final defender will receive the ball from the tackler or pick it up himself and pick & go.
The attackers will initially go to the ruck.
The coach can devise techniques and strategies based on the skill levels and what the players would like to do.