Rugby drill to improve technique and timing of a tackle from behind

Use the following rugby drill and 1v1 game to work on your players' tackling from behind skills. Improving your players' technique will also have the added benefit of boosting their confidence.

What this rugby coaching session involves

When planning your training session, the things you need to consider are:

Which players are most likely to make rugby tackles from behind?
How will you make the most of any turnover ball from this type of tackle?
How does the technique vary for different-sized players?

The key drill skills

When you set up the drill, you need to remind your players of the key requirements of the tackle from behind.

1. The tackler needs to tackle around the waist, before slipping their arms down the legs to bring the ball-carrier to ground.

2. Support players must back up quickly to try and win the ball.

Drill set up

Set up a box for this drill, as the first picture below.
Players work in pairs. The first player stands at a cone. At another cone about three metres further forwards (the 3m cone), the second player lies on the ground with their head level with the cone and a ball just in front of them.
The second player starts the drill by getting up. They pick up the ball and run towards a third cone another five metres forwards (the 5m cone).
Meanwhile the standing player has to try and catch them and make the tackle from behind.
If the ball carrier is tackled before the 5m cone, move them up so they now start with their chest level to the 3m cone. Repeat the drill.
If they still get caught, move them forward again so their knees are now by the 3m cone. Repeat the drill.
If they are caught again, have them start with their feet by the cone. Then consider moving the cone. The players repeat the drill five times, then swap over the roles.

Put the drill into a game situation

Set up a box, as the second picture below.

This is a 1 v 1 game. On your call, two players set off, with a tackler chasing a ball carrier. You can set an appropriate distance between them, depending on the speed of the two players.

The ball carrier has to get past a line without being tackled. The tackler has to catch the ball carrier, make the tackle and get back to their feet.

Rugby drill to improve technique and timing for tackling from behind

Click the link to order a copy of Coaching Rugby, a manual containing over 100 drills and games to help you coach all the rugby basics.

Click the link to read some more rugby coaching tips to improve tackle technique.