Men's - Wrap Tackle 1

Junior - Wrap Tackle 1

Men's - Classic Tackle 1

Men's - Wrap Tackle 2

Men's - Wrap Tackle 3

Men's - Incorrect Tackle 1

Men's - High Tackle 1

Sevens - Wrap Tackle 1

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.

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

Quins - Tackle Technique 1 v 1

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

Impact Wrap Tackle

Impact Wrap Tackle

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 - Wrap Tackle

Women's - Wrap Tackle

Junior - Wrap Tackle 2

Junior - Wrap Tackle 2

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 1

Men's - Lineout maul good defence 1

Men's - Good body position in contact & ball presentation 1

Men's - Good body position in contact & ball presentation 1

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1

Men's - Lineout catch & maul drive 1

Men's - Double Tackle

Men's - Double Tackle

Men's - Exiting the 22m 1

Men's - Exiting the 22m 1

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

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

Tackling 1 - Tracking

Men's - 2 v 1

A good example of phase play to create a 2 v 1 attacking platform. The initial deep pass then creates an overlap and the defender drifts to allow the attacker to run through easily.

Key factors : Quick ball at breakdown - Straight lines of running - Deep pass - straight lines of running again - Loud communication

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 1

Men's - Turnover and move the ball

Tackle technique 1

Men's - High Tackle 2

Sevens - Wrap Tackle 2

Men's - Incorrect Tackle 2

Men's - Classic tackle 4

Men's - Classic tackle 3

Men's - Classic tackle 2

Men's - Offloads 1

Men's - Straight Scrums 1

An example of a straight scrum.

Men's - Wheeled Scrums 1

Men's - Injured players and medics 1

Men's - Strike Moves 1

Men's - Patterns of play 1

Three phases of play with accurate passing and quick ball from each breakdown creates the opportunity for the scrum half to run through and score

Key factors : Present a target with your hands - Pass the ball laterally - Run straight / inside shoulder of the defender

Men's - Collapsed Scrums 1

Men's - Ref awarding penalty at scrum 1

Junior - Classic Tackle 1

Men's - Short lineout 1

Men's - Ball off the top from lineout 1

Men's - Clips of Coaches 1

Men's - Standard restart with good catch 1

Men's - Leg Drive 1

Foul Play Clip 1 - Dangerous Tackle

Men's - Offloads for Continuity 1

Men's - Hold them up tackle (Ireland style)

Men's - Accurate clearing of players 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

2-man Tackle and Decision-making

This practice develops communication in a three v three game format

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

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

Offload out of the tackle in channel

A good start for developing offload and tackle skills, allowing you to manage the amount of contact in the tackle whilst performing the skill successfully. Key factors : Strong base - Lead with arm and shoulder - Keep looking forward with head up - Wrap arm around legs / waist and squeeze tight with other arm - Use attackers bodyweight to rotate your body

Tackle Technique - Tight Grip

As the tackler wraps his arms, they should try to grip on to execute a more secure tackle.

Tackle Technique - Boxer's Hands

Players should have their hands up ready, so they can wrap around when making a tackle.

The Choke Tackle

The choke tackle is a technique used to slow attacking ball down. By wrapping the attacker high around the ball and lifting them slightly, their momentum is reduced and they are unable to make the offload. The longer a tackler can keep them from going to ground, the more time the rest of the defence have to get ready.

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.

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

Tackling Aussie Style

Australian coaches across all age groups have a slightly different approach to teaching the tackle, or do they? You can take a few of their tips and integrate them into your coaching process

Tackle Technique & Progressions

Introducing tackle technique to players is a challenging process and the Wasps coaches ensure the players understand and are competent at each step prior to progressing to the next one

Tackle technique

Learning Tackle Technique

Intro To Safe Tackling

In this video we take a look at how these coaches introduce young players to safe tackle technique.

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.

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 2

Strong defence and a turnover allows two quick passes, (One long pass), and then attack the defence. The two passes have changed the channel of attack by 30 metres.

Key factors : Tackle and stay on your feet - Long quick pass / spin pass - Communicate loudly - Support the ball carrier on his shoulder

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 - Offloads 2

A counter attack invlving moving the ball wide quickly, then attack defenders with support runners and finally a 2 v 1 to score in the corner. Key factors : Strong communication - Wide spin passes - Attacking the space around defenders - Support the ball carrier from behind - Offload with two hands - straight running - Flat pass

Tackling 19 - Conditioned Games

Tackling 19 - Conditioned Games

Double-tackle Technique

Double-tackles are useful against a team who like to offload. Leg drive can put them on the back-foot.

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.

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

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.

Tom Wood on Tackle Technique

Tackle Technique Summary

Basic tackle technique is essential to rugby players of all ages and standards.

Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1

Tag Game - Tag Rugby 1

Chop Tackle - Pad Drill

Aim to develop good tackle habits through repetitive practice. Using pads allows you to train with intensity whilst lowering the impact on the body.

Tackling 20 - 2-man Tackle

Tackling 20 - 2 man Tackle

Tackling 11 - Rear Tackle

Tackling - Rear Tackle

Tackling 3 - Hunting a Tackle

Tackling - Hunting a tackle

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

Tackle Technique - Head Position

With the attacker holding a tackle shield, and running either left or right of the defender, the key point of this drill is ensure the tackler's head is on the right side.

Junior - 2 v 1 1

Junior - 2 v 1 1

Tackling 10 - Side-on Tackle

Tackling 9 - Revise Tracking and Front Tackling

Tackling 23 - Out to In Conditioned Games

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

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

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4

Men's - Turnover and move the ball 4

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

Evasion 1 v 1

A decision making exercise to beat defenders and attack shoulders

Step 3 - Introducing the 1 v 1 Scrum

Evasion 1 v 1 after pass

Core skills handling