Tackling A

Written By William Coupar

TIP: We recommend reading Minis Curriculum, Session Planning & Design and Coaching Skills & STEP prior to this sample session. Pitch sizes and teams sizes below adjustable to group sizes/training space.

SESSION FOCUS: Concentrate on good tackling technique and habits. Note - Whilst focus is Tackling, overall contact time for the session should still be controlled and managed i.e. touch games still encouraged for majority of the time, contact for Skills, Technique and closing Games.

0-15 mins - Coaches choice of Activation games (appropriate contact prep exercises included)

15-45 mins - Zone Circuit, Groups of 8-10 with 10 mins per zone (Add additional games and session time if larger groups)

ZONE 1 - BARBARIANS

Session Focus Points:

  • Highlight use of footwork to prepare for tackle/shoulders-on and use of 2 hands around waste (for touch)

  • Possible Conditions: …

  • STEP: Multiple scoring zones, different balls, tag belts.

ZONE 2 - KINGHORN COUNTER ATTACK

Normal rugby but 2 balls placed on either side of halfway on cones. Once a team scores, the opposing team race to play with one of the new balls. Game continues but the previous scorer must return their ball to the open cone before re-joining their team. General goal is to create new situations like defenders chasing to attackers and quicker transitions.

Session Focus Points:

  • Highlight use of footwork to find and reach the space and buy time for support.

  • Possible Conditions: Introduce contact, perhaps on first phase after score only.

  • STEP: Use different balls, adjust dimensions or scoring zones.

ZONE 3 - Skills & Technique

Skill Activity (7 mins): Standard 1v1s (Age-and-stage level tackling)

Setup grid for 1v1s (10x10m), split into a group of attackers (each with a ball) and defenders with each group facing each other. On coaches call, 1 from each group runs to the corner of the grid to their left, then enters grid to do a 1v1. When finished players swap role and repeat - idea to get similar 1v1 as the below video but conditioned more towards tackler given focus.

PROGRESSIONS: Make the grid larger/smaller and condition defender to vary difficulty i.e. attacker/defender says ‘go’, attacker can score at 2/1 grid lines etc

Technique Activity (3 mins): Safe Tackle Technique

Following below video. Players in pairs working through the below video.

EYE-TO-THIGH | CHEEK-TO-CHEEK | FOOT-IN-THE-HOOP | WRAPS ARMS

45-60 mins - Rugby Games, Stay in Groups and use Zones as pitches (Round Robin if time allows)

William Coupar
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Tackling B