Tackling drill
Power Machine Repeat Tackles
Hold tackle technique together when you are tired, which is when it usually falls apart.
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Players
- 2 to 6 players
- Intensity
- High
- Equipment
- Ball
- Space
- 3m x 3m
- Positions
- All positions
Setup
Two attackers on their knees holding balls behind their backs, with the tackler on their knees 1m away between them. Soft grass.
How to run it
- On go, the tackler makes as many tackles as they can in 20 seconds, alternating left then right then back to left.
- Keep your eyes open and sighting the target, drive in with your head to the side and your shoulder making strong contact, then thrust your arms around the attacker and squeeze by grabbing your own wrist.
- Do 4 bouts of 20 seconds with 60 seconds rest, rotating so everyone works.
- Stop the bout the moment your head placement goes rather than at the end of the clock - technique degrading under fatigue is the entire risk of a drill like this.
Coaching cues
- Eyes open, sighting the target
- Shoulder first, then squeeze
- Stop the bout when technique goes, not when the clock does
Common mistakes
- Technique degrading as fatigue builds and carrying on anyway
- Not wrapping the arms - a shoulder-only hit with no wrap is an illegal charge and leaves your head unsupported
Related drills
- Side-On Grid TackleBuild the side-on tackle against a moving target with a safe reset every rep.
- Rear Tackle Chase-DownBring down a carrier from behind when you have run them down in cover.
- Tap TackleBring down a breakaway runner you cannot quite catch.
- One on Three Tackle DecisionRead late which attacker is coming and get your head on the right side, at zero speed.
- Tackle Preparation Shadow LadderGroove the footwork and loaded body position you arrive in before every tackle, with no contact at all.
- Bag Shoulder ConnectionBuild shoulder-first contact and correct head placement at three tackle heights, safely and alone.