The first tackler tackles the first bag,then runs back and across to the starting line , lining up on the second bag . The second tackler joins with him and they both move up to tackle a bag each and then run back together and across again to make space for the third tackler to line up on the first bag .Carry on until the first tackler reaches the end bag and then joins the back of the line...while the drill continues...Vary the distance the starting line is from the bags.
Variation....instead of going to the end of the line when the first tackler makes his last tackle , he picks up the last bag and that bag holder moves across to the bag next to him , working towards the starting point.the end bag holder joins the end of the line.Vary which way you are rotating ie clockwise/counterclockwise , making sure they are tackling with both shouldersYou can also start with four tacklers ready to go instead of a tackler working his way to the last bag.
1. Split your team into two equal groups (preferably Left / Right defensive units);2. Lay out cones 1-2 metres apart along the tryline. Five metres in front of those cones put a cone at each end of this line of cones. A further 5 metres back put another line of cones opposite the line on the tryline.First DrillInitially the Defenders must sprint forward to the Blue cones.
They must call out the team call. The team call should be something that emphasises what their task is, either 1,2,3 - to remind them to sprint forward the first 3 steps; or hit, stick, axe - to remind them to hit in the tackle, make it stick, and then axe the player.
Coaching Points:Ensure the calls are made; Ensure that the line sprints forward; Ensure that the line comes up together.
Second Drill
After the line is moving forward and calling, let them come past the Blue cones - but now they have to slow down and set. They should jog from the Blue cones to the attackers, bend at the waist, legs spread and drive with their legs.
Coaching Points:Ensure that the first points are still being carried out;
Ensure that defenders slow down after the Blue cones;
Correct individual technique.
Third Drill
Let the attackers jog forward slowly. The defenders should meet them around the Blue cones. The defenders should bend at the waist and drive with the legs.Coaching Points:Watch individual defenders ... make sure that they don't forget the basics that you worked on in the first 2 drills. The important points are to slow down, set yourself and drive. Swap teams over and work with second team. When you have both teams working the basics, start extending the drill.
.. all we are doing is focusing on what is important in the tackle ... the last two steps .... everything else is just closing the gap between you and your opponent and reducing your opponent's time and space ... so if you are 20 metres apart .. the first 19.5 metres of running has no bearing on the tackle ... it just gets you close to your opponent ...the last half a metre is where you perform the tackle ... and that is where we focus on technique.......
....more bob ....From my observations of the ACT Brumbies and the Australian Wallabies, the tackling styles (and the defensive patterns) used by Rod McQueen are adopted from Rugby League, which is a one on one confrontational style of Rugby.
To establish our defensive tackling styles in Rugby League we start with a two step technique.The basics of this are:
1) FIT your shoulder to a person (or dummy) and assume a tackling position with your RIGHT shoulder in their guts - the examples are for a right handed tackle;
2) Make sure that your knees are bent - check where your feet are you should find that your LEFT Leg is slightly forward and beside the player, while your RIGHT leg is slightly back and directly in front of the person; - this is called the FIT position.
3) Step your Left leg back one step;
4) Step your Right leg back so that it is LEVEL with your Left leg;
5) Now spread your feet shoulder width wide; - you are now at the SET position;
6) Take small step forward with your RIGHT foot - it should be positioned just in front of the person;
7) Take a step forward with your LEFT leg (Notice your Right shoulder is now moving back);
8) Knees are bent and you are now in the DRIVE position;
9) Straighten your knees and DRIVE Upwards - at the same time DRIVE your Right shoulder forward - you will now deliver maximum impact;10) I'm not sure of Herbert's target area - 'cause I coach League not union ... but I would suspect that it would be the gut area ... that is where we target in this technique ... if your shoulder hits the gut and drives up under the ribs ... it hurts and is very effective ... after a couple of hits, opponents tend to avoid you ... which reduces your defensive workload.
Continue to practice this two step technique until the timing starts to feel natural.FIT, SET, DRIVE.
Progress to running drills. It is important in the running drills to use STUTTER steps. Slow down, use shorter steps to get yourself in the SET position ... once in the SET position in front of an attacker ... you can then use the two step technique to DRIVE your opponent. If your technique is very good, you can also get a hand behind your opponents thigh and lift one of his legs off the ground ... this will unbalance him and allow you to drive more effectively ... but this is an advanced technique.
... the technique is exactly what it says - TWO STEPs
and the time to deliver it on a field ... as long as it takes for you to take two steps at pace ... about half a second ... all we are doing is focusing on what is important in the tackle ... the last two steps .... everything else is just closing the gap between you and your opponent and reducing your opponent's time and space ... so if you are 20 metres apart .. the first 19.5 metres of running has no bearing on the tackle ... it just gets you close to your opponent ...the last half a metre is where you perform the tackle ... and that is where we focus on technique.
This is a training drill to emphasise technique ... it is designed to deliver your tackle with maximum impact.
The drill is performed on a training paddock, to get the right positioning and the timing.
Once you have the positioning and timing, you move the drill into a running drill ... but watching how the tackle is delivered ... if there are still obvious faults in a player's technique, take them back slowly through the two step technique, then progress them up to a running drill again.
The way we teach it in the Defensive part of our training session:
1) 3-5 minutes - TWO STEP technique against someone with a bump pad.Coaching staff watch individual technique and correct as required;
2) 3-5 minutes - Two equal groups 5 metres(yards) apart. A different coloured cone (Blue) to identify a line about 2 metres away from the attackers. The attackers stand still. The defenders sprint off their line to the Blue cone, then smaller steps to get themselves in the right position for the hit. Then hit using correct technique.
Swap roles after six tackles.The coaching staff correct individual technique during the drill. The attackers with bump pads (if available .. if not then with their elbows down to protect their guts ... try to encourage the defenders not to smash them too hard).
3) 3-5 minutes - Same as 2) but the groups are now ten metres apart, and the attackers can now run. The defenders must now start to adjust with a moving attacker ... that is they must start to learn when to start taking smaller steps to get into position.
In the initial stages you would only do steps 1) 2) at each training session.
After a few training sessions, progress them to step 3) and cut out step 1).
With the running drill we start at a jog and slowly progress to full pace ... but all the time watching technique ... the minute technique drops because of speed ... we take them back to a slower speed, or to an earlier step. The next training progression is half field with an attacking unit against a defensive unit ... this is less controlled, but will demonstrate the player's ability to perform the technique in a game situation.
We keep moving the players back and forwards through the various progressions to keep working on technique and to allow the players to deliver the hit naturally, without thinking about it.
The centre is the most difficult position on a Rugby League (and possibly Union) field to defend ... so we look for centres with good technique ... and this is how we teach that technique.
If you try it step by step against an imaginary opponent, you will find that all you are really doing is stepping forward with your RIGHT foot, then stepping forward with your LEFT foot to make contact ... that is it.
