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Warm-up Tackling Drills

Purpose

  • Tackle repetition and confidence
  • Aim to build tackle muscle memory
  • Simple Warm-up tackling drills

Learnings

  • Body positioning
  • How to predict and attack as a defender?
  • Different types of tackle

Key Points

  • Tackle not tickle - Shoulders make tackles, not hands and fingers.
  • Learn the 5 stages of tackling;
    1. Prediction - Learn to predict where the ball will be going
    2. Approach - Close the space, ready to change direction
    3. Positioning - Body shape, positioning, and stance.
    4. Contact - Shoulder, punch arms, hands behind knees
    5. Complete - Chop, Drive & dominate

Drills

Mirror drill - Close Range Hit Warmup

Mirror Drill Video

Setup

3 Cones in small 1x1x1 metre triangle

Execution

  • Players pair up, one tackler on single cone, one ball carrier between other two cones.
  • Ball carrier (or pad holder) jogging on the spot.
  • Ball carrier decide on a direction to move
  • Defender must react and engage the shoulder (make the hit), drive legs to drive attacker back
  • Swap roles
  • Example:

Progressions

  • Build distance between players to increase speed
  • Remove pads if using and complete tackle

T-Drill (Side on)

T-Drill Video

Setup

  • 4 cones in a T shape, 5 metres apart (height of T is.
  • Tackler on centre cone of T
  • Ball carrier (Bag holder) on bottom of T

Execution

  • Ball carrier (or pad holder) jogging on the spot.
  • Ball carrier (or pad holder) Calls 'left' or 'right'
  • Tackler shuttles that direction
  • Ball carrier attacks the opposite direction
  • Tackler must close distance and make positive hit.

Reflections

Practice doesn't equal perfect

"Practice makes permenance"... Make sure the player is practicing the corret techniques. Practicing and repetition of the wrong technique will only learn incorrect or potentially unsafe techniques.

Foot, Knee, Hip, Shoulder

Ensure alignment of foot, knee, hip and shoulder in the tackle. All same side.

Note

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Warning

WWatch out for the head position and have the player aim to control the tackle. Head on the outside or 'cheek to cheek'