TRANSFORM YOUR TEAM'S SEASON WITH PROFESSIONALLY PLANNED SESSIONS
Use our expert plans or build your own using our library of over 700+ drills, and easy-to-use tools.
JOIN NOW
what to do?when on the field players struggle to make tackles, but when we use the junior bag they go in hard and tackle like animals.any drills to help us please?my group is under 9s
Hi Johan,
Maybe you could incorporate tackling in your match day warm ups? Get the players tackling each other in the warm up at a high intensity. Hopefully this will get them in the mood for it once the match starts.
Are they struggling with the tackling fundamentals or are they even scared of the tackle at full pace?
A good technique i have found throughout my days of playing and now evaluating coaching, is as Steven has said add some wrestling exercise into your warm up have a King of the ring type competition. I have also come across coaches giving sweets or a small prize for the player with the most tackles made in games.
Any more questions or Queries just ask.
Break the stages of the tackle down and find out what it is that makes your players struggle. If it`s that their technical ability is good and they`re happy to hit a tackle bag but don`t want to plough into an actual person then you can go back to basics, breaking it down bit by bit and re-enforcing the concept of safety.
You could try playing on a small pitch to force the contact but with everyone on their knees so the speed of play and the distance to ground is reduced as a re-introduction. (you can add bonus scores or actual prizes for number of successful tackles completed)
in more ways than one
The offload is one of rugby's most devastating weapons when executed well, turning a defensive collision into a second-phase attacking opportunity. This article breaks down the technique, timing, and training progressions coaches need to develop confident offloaders at every level.
Defensive line speed is the single most important factor in shutting down attacking opportunities before they develop. This guide explores how to coach your defensive line to push up as a connected unit, communicate under pressure, and deny the opposition time and space.
The teams winning in 2026 aren't taking risks - they're grinding out territory with relentless pick-and-go phases. Here's how to coach it.
Use our expert plans or build your own using our library of over 700+ drills, and easy-to-use tools.
JOIN NOW