Offload touch

"Offload touch" develops footwork, handling and offloading skills, as well as support play, while boosting your rugby players' fitness levels.

It's important that you keep the pace of the game high and insist that the ball is back in play quickly after any stoppage.

The tackle is a two handed touch on the waist.
When a tackle is made the defending team must make an effort to get back on side (two or three metres is ideal).
The tackled player has two steps to offload the ball. If the attacking team can keep offloading there is no tackle limit.
The ball can only be offloaded to a support player within two metres of the tackle.
If the ball cannot be offloaded to a support player then it is turned over.
After making a tackle the tackler must retreat back on side and cannot attempt to grab the ball.

Progressions

Set a limit on the number of tackles allowed, to encourage the attacking team to look for space.
Develop the game so the tackle becomes a grab round the waist rather than a touch. This encourages the ball carrier to drive the legs after contact.
The ball carrier has to go to ground after the tackle. Players can then practise their core rucking skills.

This article is taken from the Better Rugby Coaching e-newsletter. Click here to sign up and get free rugby drills and skills twice a week.

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