James

Here are some simple key points on the front tackle and a drill you might use to help your young player have fun and gain in cofidence. You could print out the key points for him to take home and think about before he starts to do the drill?

The front tackle

This tackle is made when an opposition player is running at you with the ball. It can be the scariest tackle to make but if you do it right it is very effective and can often result in your team winning back the ball!

To make it less scary, look at the player you are going to tackle. You are only tackling their legs and waist, all the bits on top actually don’t matter.

Key points:

• Make sure you look at the hips of the ball carrier
• Get low with your arms wide and be light on your feet so you can move sideway if the ball carrier tries to run around you
• Go towards the ball carrier staying low
• Make contact with your shoulder just below the ball carriers waist
• Wrap your arms around the ball carrier’s legs and squeeze
• Drive with your legs to knock the ball carrier over
• Make sure you finish on with your head on top of the ball carrier
• Get quickly back to your feet and once you are on your feet pick up the ball before supporting players arrive

Have alook at the drill and adapt it to suit your needs.

I hope this helps

Simon

Tackling in grid (game).

Description:

Working in a grid.

Start both players half way in between the cones of one side of the grid.

When commanded, each player is to run around the outside of opposite cones and into the grid.

Idea is for the tackler to stop the player with the ball from getting out of the grid.


Coaching Points:

Point out to the tackler that once around the cone to come out early into the grid, staying low, ready for the tackle.

Simon Jones, Rugby Coach, England

Answered: Sep 24, 2010