Challenging for the tackle ball
If you want your rugby players to play free-flowing rugby, you need to dominate play around the tackle area. And if you can win the opposition ball – even better. The jargon for the defender on his feet challenging for the tackle ball is the "jackal" or "jackler" and these rugby coaching tips will help your players get to grips with this.
The player who "steals" the ball at the tackle (sometimes known as the "jackal") will often find that as he picks up the ball, the opposition support players arrive and try to knock him back off it.
To keep possession, he needs to stay in a strong, low position and pull the ball into his chest. As he is knocked back, he protects the ball by turning his body so he lands facing his own team and on his side.
Once on his side he has to make the decision whether to pop the ball up to a support player or present it on the ground as far back as he can reach.
This decision depends on how close his support players are and whether or not the opposition clearing player has stayed on his feet or gone to ground.
Set up lots of live scenarios in your rugby training sessions so your players get used to making these decisions in game-like situations.
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Click the link to see a London Irish training video showing two groups of six players continuously recreating the Jackal turnover.
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