Junior - Classic Tackle 1

Sevens - Classic Tackle 1

Good tackle technique when chasing a player from behind. The defender gets to his feet quickly to contest the ball. Key factors : Head to one side - Arms around attackers waist and slide down - Keep your arms around the attackers legs - Use momentum to get back to your feet

Junior - Wrap Tackle 1

Men's - Classic Tackle 1

Junior - Classic Tackle 2

Junior - Classic Tackle 4

Junior - Classic Tackle 3

1 v 1 Tackling in Channel

An opportunity for players to put what they have learnt on tackle technique into practice. Each tackle is observed by all other players who can give feedback. Ensure all players have a go at attacking and defending.

Junior - 2 v 1 1

Junior - 2 v 1 1

Quins - Tackle Technique 1 v 1

A new tackle technique exercise without the "Bone on Bone" collisions

Quins Defence - 1 v 1 tackle skills

Close contact in a small channel ensures the players work their movement skills in both attack and defence. The coach reinforces the skills for contact prior to progressing this exercise

Women's - Classic Tackle

Women's - Classic Tackle

Junior - Exiting the 22m 1

Junior - Exiting the 22m 1

Junior - High Tackle

Junior - High Tackle

Junior - Good contact body position/ball presentation 1

Junior - Good contact body position/ball presentation 1

Junior - 2 v 1 2

Junior - 2 v 1 2

Junior - Double Tackle

Junior - Double Tackle

Junior - Wrap Tackle 2

Junior - Wrap Tackle 2

Junior - Strike Moves 1

Junior - Strike Moves 1

Tackle Technique - Progressions for Juniors

This clip illustrates tackle technique using progressions suitable to all players and possibly requiring regular revisit to embed safe and effective tackling

Tackling games for juniors

Tackling and contact are key components in the development of young players, this clip shows how coaches can introduce tackling using a game that reduces the risk of injury and focuses on the technical skills

Junior Tackle and Breakdown

Good tackle technique leads into being effective at the breakdown, this clip provides advice on how to coach the tackle combined with the next phase of getting to your feet and competing for the space or ball

Introduction to tackling - Step 1

To build confidence in tackling technique and taking contact, it can be a good idea to start with players on their knees.

Tackling on Knees - 3 v 1

Using three attackers ensures the defender tackles on both sides and from slightly different angles. The coach can vary the pace and width of this exercise

Tackling 1 - Tracking

Junior - Accurate clearing of players 1

Junior - Accurate clearing of players

Tackle technique 1

Sevens - Classic Tackle 3

Men's - Classic tackle 4

Men's - Classic tackle 2

Junior - Incorrect Tackle

Men's - High Tackle 1

Men's - Incorrect Tackle 1

Men's - Wrap Tackle 1

Junior - Leg Drive 1

Junior - Support player / Leach 1

Junior - 3 v 2 1

Sevens - Classic Tackle 2

Men's - Classic tackle 3

Sevens - Classic Tackle 4

Sevens - Wrap Tackle 1

Junior - Patterns of Play 1

Junior - Wheeled Scrums 1

Junior - Collapsed Scrums 1

Foul Play Clip 1 - Dangerous Tackle

Junior - Full Lineout 1

Junior - Ball off the top from lineout 1

Junior - Short Lineout 1

Junior - Standard restart with attack winning ball 1

Junior - Continuity of play 1

Coaching tackle technique in groups

The ability to move from 1 to 1 tackling exercises into unit & group skills can be tricky. Here are some tips that you could use

Fun Tackling Games

Try these fun games for any junior team. They are a great way to introduce tackle safety whilst keeping your players entertained.

Quins Defence - 2 v 2 tackling

A progression from the 1 v 1 drill this exercise adds extra players to make the decision making process more realistic. The coaches can vary the delivery of the ball and the width of the area to put different conditions to the players

1 v 1 Evasion Skills

A lone attacker must beat a single defender. This is great way to develop evasion skills in the attacker, and positioning for the defender.

Game - Tackle Touch

Whether you're introducing tackling to young players for the first time, or re-introducing it to senior players after a summer away, this is a great game to play to ease back into it. It isolates the 1v1 tackle and puts emphasis on technique without the high speed impact of a full contact game.

Tackle on Knees

This exercise asks players to attack from the front while still on their knees. It is important than the tackler pushers his shoulder through onto the outside hip of the attacker with the head staying outside as well. 1. Shoulder. 2 Arms tight 3. Drive

Men's - 3 v 2 1

A passage of play that shows how to attack with more attackers than defenders, a 3 v 2. The winger shows that strong running and determination can break tackles. Click on the practises in this section for coaching ideas

Passing - 2 v 1 Static Defender

Now working in just twos, we are concerned with depth, and the timing of the pass. Allow players to practice before adding a static defender. This can be a tackle bag as demonstrated. Players take the ball up to the defender but must complete the pass before they reach it.

Technical Fitness with Tackle Bags

Tackle bags are a great tool to use in your conditioning sessions. The reduced impact allows players to peform high repititions of contact technique under fatigue, with low risk of injury.

Tackle technique 5

Tackle technique 5

Tackling - When is the tackle completed?

It is very much an individual choice as to when a tackle is completed to when the defender can compete for the ball. What is generally accepted is that good tackle technique will enable the defender to "Be ready" for his next task. This clip explores why a strong grip or "Ring of steel" will enable the tackler to be dominant

Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1

Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1

Tackling 11 - Rear Tackle

Tackling - Rear Tackle

Tackling 20 - 2-man Tackle

Tackling 20 - 2 man Tackle

Tackling 3 - Hunting a Tackle

Tackling - Hunting a tackle

Kiwi Tackling - Coaching Dominant Tackling

To be a dominant tackler you need to practise the core skills regularly. The tackle has many factors to it and here are some tips from New Zealand

Step 1 - Playing Tag Rugby

Chapter 1 - Playing Tag Rugby

Introduction to TAG

Kiwi Tackling - Pre Tackle Practises

Sharing our coaching ideas is great for the game. Players in New Zealand hone their skills at an early age and it is globally accepted that they have the best techniques across all positions. Coaching the tackle is a key fundamental that all players practise regularly

London Irish - Tackling With Matts

An interesting approach to improving your tackling, using crash matts? Declan Danaher the defence coach at Irish uses a variety of equipment but says "Using matts has revolutionised our defence"

Tackling 10 - Side-on Tackle

Tackling 9 - Revise Tracking and Front Tackling

Women's - Good contact body position/ball presentation 1

Women's - Good contact body position/ball presentation 1

Sevens - Offloads 1

Sevens - Offloads 1

Step 8 - The Tackle Game

Tackle bag drill 3 man support after tackle

This is a very effective drill for developing decision making and awareness in support runners off a tackle situation

Chapter 8 - The Tackle Game

1 v 1 attack

Winger positional skills training.

Evasion 1 v 1

A decision making exercise to beat defenders and attack shoulders

Scrum - 1 vs 1

Practice body position and warm up for full scrum session.

Evasion 1 v 1 after pass

Core skills handling

1. Support - 1,2,3 Follow Through

Isolated technical practice

Courtesy of the SRU

1 v 1 defence

Winger positional skills.

Step 3 - Introducing the 1 v 1 Scrum

Games for Juniors - 10's & over

The Sale sharks community coach delivers a "Game based" warm up with progressions that will lead onto to contact skills. The coach uses examples and questioning to support learning

Functional Movement Warm Up Part 1

Every player should be able to perform these movements well! Mastering these will carry over to preventing injuries, managing collisions and maximising power and speed. Check out the related videos for part 2.

Wasps - Footwork The Key To Big Tackles

Aggressive tackling is fundamental to Wasps performances and their players physicality is part of their DNA. Brad Davis overseas a tackle technique session that will change your approach to coaching the tackle

Tackling - Hook & Grip For Safety

The "Hook & Grip" element in the tackle creates strong & effective contact with your opponent which enables accurate tackling. A strong grip (Ring of Steel), is the precursor to a dominant tackle and this skill is crucial for all players. The practises in this video are excellent for players who may lack confidence or where you have a variety of competence among your squad

Passive Front Tackle

The passive front tackle

This tackle is necessary when the defender is not in a position to make a strong aggressive tackle and uses the momentum of the attacker to bring them to the ground

Reaction Tackle

Keep your players on their toes with this quick-fire 1v1 tackling exercise. Start with bags then progress to live tackles. Defending players have an obstacle to negotiate before performing the tackle, just as they may have in a game.

Develop Confidence For Tackling

Developing confidence in and around the tackle is very important when starting to teach tackle techniques. This clip provides a few ideas that you could use in your sessions

Tackle on Knees

An easy progression into tackling, with some movement. Use to build players' confidence before moving into full tackling.

Tackle Technique in groups

Give players the opportunity to practice their tackling technique. In groups of five, one player in the middle has four tackle attempts. Make sure everyone has a go and the key points are repeated.

Introduction to tackling - Step 2

The transition from practicing tackling on knees to tackling on feet starts with the tackler remaining on their knees and the ball-carrier walking past. Then progress to having both players on their feet, but still executing the tackle at a controlled, walking pace.

Around The Clock Tackling

Set up 5 cones around in a circle. The tackler works out from the first cone to make the tackle. The tackler then backtracks around the next and then comes forward to make the tackle again. Two tackles off the right shoulder, one front on and two off the left shoulder.

Offensive Front Tackle

The offensive front tackle

This practice shows front tackle technique when the defender is in a strong and balanced position

Learning to Tackle - Under 9's & Up

The RFU new rules of play have completely changed the approach of introducing young players to tackling. A phased approach may challenge previous methods however by viewing the practical session on this video you can see how the process works

Defence - Tackle Progressions

Understanding tackle techniques and the progressions is integral for all coaches as a basic fundamental in coaching contact. The IRB "rugby ready" course provides a step by step approach to compliment the technques in this section

Player Welfare and Tackle Technique

Head injuries are a serious consequence to rugby and an area that deserves the attention of all players and coaches. Be proactive by coaching and re-coaching tackle technique to reinforce good habits.

Passive Guard Tackle

This tackle is necessary when the defender is not in a position to make a strong aggressive tackle and uses the momentum of the attacker to bring them to the ground