OBJECTIVE:
To stop forward momentum of the ball-carrier. To regain possession of the ball.
KEY FACTORS
- Sight target.
- Position inside the ball-carrier.
- Run in pre-tackle stance. (Sink hips, upper body leaning into contact.)
- Chin up, eyes open, back straight, hands above hips, and go forward.
- Zero in on target.
- Drive with the legs to make firm contact with the shoulder on the target.
- Head behind ball-carrier's body e.g. cheek to cheek.
- Lock on with the arms around the ball-carrier.
- Continue power drive through to complete the tackle.
- Regain feet.
- Recover ball.
COMMON ERRORS
- Waiting for the ball-carrier to come to you.
- Eyes closed.
- Head down, and on wrong side, or in front.
- Diving into a tackle i.e. front-on, feet leaving the ground.
- Not using arms to wrap.
- Lack of urgency to regain feet.