Rugby coaching tips for winning turnovers
A rugby training session to get your players to tackle and win turnovers.
What you tell your players the session is about
Chasing down an attacker, tackling them and winning the ball.
What you tell your players to do
Tackle the player from behind. The momentum of the tackle means you can get back to your feet quickly.
Complete the tackle and win the ball. Bringing the ball carrier to the ground is only the first stage. Look to win turnovers too.
What you get your players to do
Warm up drill: Two players, one with a ball, stand opposite each other. The ball carrier has his back to the other player. The non-ball carrier tackles the ball carrier and then gets to his feet to get the ball. Increase to walking and then jogging speed.
Rugby drills: Place four cones 2m apart in a 10m square. A ball carrier, starting opposite the cones, side steps their way through them.
Another player, starting at the corner, runs around the first cone and then chases down the ball carrier, to perform a tackle from behind. Adjust this player's starting position according to the success of the chase.
Development
Have another attacker "chasing" the chaser. This player starts halfway down the square and has to go around the corner and first cone, before supporting.
Remove the cones and start the ball with an attacker and defender standing together on one corner. Another attacker stands three metres away on the same edge of the box. The ball is passed to the lone attacker and the play commences.
How would I put this rugby drill into a game situation
3 v 3 diamond: Mark out a 20m long and 10m wide diamond. Two teams of three face each other three metres apart in the middle. You throw the ball to one of the teams who have to score on (or within 1 metre of) the point of the diamond behind them (they must turn around and run).
Play normal rugby rules and allow the players to run outside the diamond. They must pass backwards. Teams score one point for scoring and two points for a successful turnover ball.
What to call out in the drill
"Focus on the tackle by tackling just above the shorts."
"Pull your hips into the ball carrier as you grab."
"Get quickly to your feet, with your chin off your chest."
"Think 'ball' as soon as you feel the ball carrier going to ground."
What to look for in this rugby drill
Tacklers going for the ball before they are on their feet. The law states that the tackler can compete for the ball from any angle, as long as they are on their feet.
The ball carrier not releasing the ball quickly. The law states that the ball must be released immediately.
What to think about
What ways can the ball carrier make it difficult for the tackler to turnover the ball?
What roles would you want for the next sets of players arriving at the breakdown? Should they focus on the ball or on clearing/protecting it?
What players (other than flankers) in your team should focus most on this type of tackle?
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