How to tackle the legs to win more turnovers

Tackling the ball carrier's legs is one of the simplest ways of winning back the ball from the opposition.

A player on the floor has no "rights" to the ball. This means the ball carrier has to release the ball when tackled to the ground.

An effective way to turnover the ball is to get the ball carrier onto the ground as quickly as possible and then have the tackler compete for the ball as it's released. Tackling the legs is an effective way to do this.

The key rugby skill factors to tackling the legs

It is easier to tackle around the legs from the side: Players should line up to make contact so that the ball carrier is not coming straight onto them. By letting the ball carrier get level and then driving them sideways increases the chances of bringing them down, though there will be some ground lost.

In practice this technique should be ingrained in players through slow motion drills before building up to full pace.

The tackler must keep the head up and eyes on the target: Losing sight of the target (the ball carrier's thighs) is one of the main reasons for missed tackles. We don't take our eyes off the ball when trying to catch it, and the same should apply to tackling.

Eyes on the target and open as long as possible will keep the head in position and the focus correct. For weaker or "worried" tacklers, this focus can reduce the chances of other more fearful thoughts getting in the way.

The tackler must stay upright for as long as possible: Upright in this case means in a body position that can adjust to changes in the ball carrier's movements. As soon as the feet leave the ground or the tackler stoops too much, then balance is reduced and a strong tackling stance lost.

A good practice is to have one tackler and three other players in a small box. A ball is passed around until the coach shouts "TACKLE". The tackler then has to tackle the ball carrier as quickly as possible. The objective is to help the tackler learn how to keep a good tackling position and yet remain flexible enough to move around.

The tackler must take short fast steps as they approach the tackle: Ideally a good tackler will have both feet a shoulder's width apart and no more than 1/2 metre from the ball carrier. Using a "fast feet" exercise followed by a tackle can improve this technique.

The tackler must get the head behind the ball carrier's backside and arms round their thighs: With the eyes open, the tackler must aim to place the head on the ball carrier's backside. In essence this means that the tackler's shoulder drives into the ball carrier's thigh. As soon as this happens, the tackler's arms must wrap round the legs and form a "ring of steel". How often do we hear this expression outside the first few tackle lessons of a youth player's career?

The tackler must aim to stay on their feet and drive the legs: A common mistake with "leg" tackles is to assume that the tackler wants to fall to the ground quickly. In fact, the longer the tackler can stay on their feet, the more likely they are going to be able to drive the opponent to the ground.

The tackler must get back onto their feet quickly: The tackler must slide down the ball carrier's legs until they fall to the ground - the tackler must then get back onto their feet quickly. As the tackler slides the arms down the ball carrier's legs (remember the "ring of steel"), the tackler should be getting ready to get back into the game quickly. The tackle is not over until the tackler is back playing.

Using the exercise above, with the three players plus tackler in a small square, a tackler can be challenged to make as many tackles as possible in a 30 second period. A tackle is completed only once the ball carrier is on the floor and the tackler has got to his feet and picked up the ball.

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