Safest way to introduce tackling?

Simon JonesCoach, England

Paul

Have a look at the IRB Rugby Ready free website which is excellent. Also on this site, under Key Skills, there is a step by step approach to the side tackle.

The key thing is to start them slowly on their knees and gradually build up the difficulty by letting them crouch and tackle a jogging player etc - don't let them dictate the pace of progression.

Good luck

Simon

Josh MacyCoach, United States of America

If you're worried about the discipline aspect of it. Just make sure your commands are very clear. Have different commands for the start, approach, and contact, with another for the reset. Say the same thing everytime and you'll get a much better response than saying "alright guys" everytime they mess up. It would also do you well to have a starting and ending place. Making the kids line up in a grid with even spaces between them with the same kid on each side all the time can really get them used to getting in line, and give you better opportunities to welcome and dismiss them.

Rugby CoachCoach

One of the key things will be to put players of the same weight and size together; many of the injuries occur because of the disparity in size. Do you have access to any equipment like tackling bags/boxing punch bags? If your lads want to enjoy "hitting" in the tackle, it's often a good idea for them to "let off steam" with inanimate objects. Repetition tackling for 60 seconds can reduce the testosterone levels so they listen to your advice and instructions without needing to run riot.