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Touch / Tackle / Ruck

Purpose

High intensity contest over gainline, possession, and close quarter support

Learnings

  • Safe, effective tackle technique
  • Quick, strong ruck entry and body position
  • Support lines and continuity
  • Decision-making in contact situations
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Conditioning and resilience
  • Understanding of laws around tackle and ruck
  • Transition between attack and defence

Rules

  • Aim is to score tries, possession is maintained by going forward and breaking gainline.
  • Turnovers for:
    • Mistakes e.g. knock ons, or forward passes.
    • 5 successive phases behind gainline in attack = Defense awarded with possession
  • First tackle contact is touch.
  • Attacker, back pedals and has to 'take on' touch tackler who has to complete a 1 on 1; Tackle below the shoulders, above the knees.
  • Aim to get beyond gainline / prevent gainline success.
  • After tackle, ball carrier must release ball immediately.
  • Tackler must release and move away from tackle area.

Progressions

  1. 1 on 1 Tackle starting point.
  2. 2 on 1 Tackle - Double tackles
  3. 2 on 2 - Support player latch and drive inc. rucking, so increase chances of gainline success.

Reflections

Tip

Focus on correct tackle technique. Foot, knee, shoulder alignment. 'Chop' feet, close space, initial contact with shoulder, punch arms through and drive beyond. Hands behind knees to control attackers balance.

Tip

Ball carrier to not concede and give up without fighting for ground beyond the tackler.

Note

Addition of a latch man, to win the gainline and close support distance. Must remain on feet if latched otherwise risk of 'penalty'

Warning

Look out for tackle height and especially with introduction of second tackler