Tackling Essentials

Tackling

Learn How to Play Rugby and Master the Basic Skills of Rugby that Will Have You Go from Rugby Zero to Rugby Hero in as little as 8 weeks

A good tackle consists of four things: courage, judgment, technique, timing.  If one of these parts fail, the tackle fails.  The object is to stop, control, or restrict the progress of an opposing player.  You can lift him, or turn him to face your team.

 

I first recommend you watch USA rugby and USA College rugby games

Courage
You must be focused, alert, and certain that you will tackle the said player.

Judgement
Focus on the tackle and make a split-second decision on which tackle you will make, if near a touchline you might want to throw the player out of bounds.

Technique
Be totally fearless and have nothing else in mind.  Lean toward the ball carrier, aiming with the nearest shoulder, thrusting from the legs (which should be bent just before impact).  This will give you momentum.  Put your head to one side of the carrier’s body (and for goodness sakes don’t try and headbutt the player, you might break your neck).  “Hug” the ball carrier at weight level  to complete this movement and smash him!

Timing
Try and time your tackle so that the ball carrier is most vulnerable --- usually during the midstride, in the process of a side-step, or when he is unbalanced.

Types of Tackles

  1. Half Hold- Usually if you miss the tackle, you try and hold on to the ball carrier to slow him down.
  2. Side-on- Shoulder is thrust just above the hips, arms go around waiste and slide down the attacker's thighs, use this for bigger players.
  3. Tackle from Behind- Similar to the side-on-tackle except from behind.
  4. Ankle Tap- If you miss the tackle, you can use your arms to knock the carrier's ankles together usually tripping him. Usually done while a diving.
  5. Stationary Tackle- Be fearless, and "accept" the ball carrier. Brace yourself, personally I lean forward on one knee and this works great.
  6. Big Hit- A perfectly timed hit, usually done in the centers. Time the hit so that when the opposing player receives the ball, you smash him backwards.
  7. Smother Tackle- Aimed higher than a regular tackle, the emphasis is on wrapping the arms around the tackler.
  8. Driving Tackle- Use if the ball carrier is high, you get extremely low and drive with your legs to gain a few meters.
  9. Touchline Tackle- Try and drive the ball carrier over the touch line to gain a throw-in fo ra line-out.
  10. Turning the Player- The ball carrier is turned toward the opposing team's forwards. This is the hallmark of a very skilled rugby player.

 

Tackling a larger opponent

Any player can tackle any other player on a rugby player. It all depends on the technique, if you are smaller, use a side-on tackle or a stationary tackle.

 

Group tackles are allowed.

Avoiding a stiff-arm by the ball carrier- Either go below the arm and use your leg drivee to break the fend, or grab the arm and use it as a half-hold tackle.