Rugby coaching session to practise tackling from behind

Use the following rugby coaching drill to work on your players' tackling-from-behind skills. Improving the players' tackle technique will have the added benefit of boosting their confidence.

What this rugby coaching session involves

When planning your rugby drill session, you need to consider:

Which players are most likely to make 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 rugby drill skills

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

The tackler needs to tackle around the waist, before slipping their arms down the legs to bring the ball-carrier to ground.
Support players must back up quickly to try and win the ball.

Rugby 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 3m 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 5m 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 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 coaching drill session to get players tackling from behind

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Click here for rugby coaching tips to get your players tackling more effectively.