Rugby: Get Low - Tackle Below The Pad

Tackler starts on their knees. As the ball carrier gets closer the tackler steps up to give them more power and punches through to give them more power. The tackler drives through and finishes on top.

• Aim to develop good tackle habits through repetitive practice. Using pads allows you to train with intensity whilst lowering the impact on the body.
• Set up two lines of players 5 metres apart
• Attackers start on the 5 metre line with a tackle pad and defenders start on the try line
• A coach or non participating player will stand behind the defending players (tacklers) and indicate the direction the attacking players run by raising their arm.
• The attacking players (with pads) take 2 steps forward and then step 45 degrees and try to score on the try line.
• The defending line need to communicate (whatever the teams call for getting off the line), eg READY READY UP (when attack moves – ball is lifted in a match)
• The defending line come off the line and complete a tackle and reset to go again.

• Small playing area, for 1 v 1 tackling.
• Players line up in two lines adjacent to the coned area.
• Coach shouts go and the front two players run round their end to end up facing each other.
• The coach passes the ball to the attacker who runs at the defender, and the defender tries to take them down.

*AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON*

• In groups of 5 tie a bit of tape or string around the two posts approximately 0.5 to 1 meter above the ground.  

• Two players hold the sausages behind the tape on either side and one holds the bag in front of the tape.

• Change the man with the bag every few reps or hold the bag as the coach. 

• The players will rotate around with each rep.

1 Full Repetition: 

• The player starts on the ground, hits the bag with either shoulder and then powers past the bag.

• Player then gets into a low body position and moves under the tape to complete a tackle on the sausage.

• Next, they should get into a strong body position as if they were contesting at a ruck.

• They then pick up the sausage and the previous holder moves around.