Sean Fitzpatrick says that Test rugby is all in the top 2 inches. Junior Rugby players have to use the lot with a big dose of courage but how do you get them to use it !
 Here what I use . I don't know if overall its right or wrong but I do know kids all have a different switch to turn on to tackle with confidence.  For under 11's I use progressive drills.
Start with wrestling drills ( 1 on 1, 2 on 1,spinning an opponent etc etc), Front row engagement techniques progressing  to contact engagement tackle,ruck ,maul, ( Backs included ).
 Break tackle down to segments right from deciding "he is mine" and getting him to call it out !. Walking it though, speeding it up each time. Until full contact - full speed -full confidence. As they get better at it  I leave out the walking sections and add in front on tackle raising the target zone and clamp arms and spin landing on  ball carrier.
Then I build the tackle into the next drill. -ie Make the tackle, winning the ball at the tackle, setting a ruck or maul & out along backline to score. Go back and reinforce the need to make the tackle, importance of the following steps until wing scores. Praise the tackler for the try and then all. Vary drill-use as a shuttle run with tackle. Split into 2 -3 teams competing for first team  home. Each time reinforcing the tackle, win ball in contact and counter attack in one sweeping motion.ie Ensure tackle is viewed as part of chain of events not a stand allow event.  Use positive reinforcement from team perspective ie good tackle that helped your mates, whatever works for each kid depending on thier type of  " mental switch"
If a tackler is doing something wrong I use a "freeze" call to have them stop in their tracks and get him to tell me how to adjust his technique and then let it run or replay. I concentrate on  sighting target, body positions. Each session  ends with a  games in a  square  with 3 to 5 on each team concentrating on the skills worked on.  Tell  a player "he is your man" and if a tackle is missed do it again- work on confidence.
Other times reverse the drill from an attackers perspective. Draw and pass, hold pass or take tackle and off load and where required tutoring the tackler on making the correct decision on which one to tackle. Just don't tell them its a tackling drill.
Repeat week in week out with variations  and competions within team. Build drills progressively each time on to use full contact in game situation at end of training. [/center]

Let's move away from too much static technique - there is little evidence it works. Be safe but be practical too.

Look forward to hearing more.

Add to that drills with players standing in lines awaiting their turn to "do" a skill...  too much standing around, not enough time doing.

didds

You have now hit 'The Wall' This is the moment where the ferocity of midi rugby gets rough it happens about now or at U12. Show them some sympathy. Correct tackling drills will help remember the basics. Coach them to only watch waist down, DO NOT look at the eyes or hands they are a distraction. Drill into them that 80% of the time the person with the least momentum comes off worse in a tackle its researched and absolutely correct the old 'go in hard' is totally true. They are very unlikely to get hurt if the have good forward speed into the tackle and wrap up the legs on the short line. Get them to practice and practice, with U11s you should re visit this every other week, they forget quickly!! Practice drills weekly to give them confidence. All the old nonsense about game plans at this level are just that. Its a simple game just get them good at the very basics they will make you proud.

Hope this helps.

Deano