Rugby: Choke Tackle Progression

*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.   

Groups of 10+  3 Bags  balls  Cones   1. With bags  3 Attckers with bags are given a number, 5 defenders line up opposite within the grid.  When coach says so he shouts a number (this is the attacker that the defenders will tackle and adjust too)  when the number is shouted both attackers and defenders shoot off the line to meet in the middle (green cones)  Here a tackle is performed on the given number and players will adjuest and stay connected accrodingly.  2. With a ball not bags.  This progression makes it more realistic, and means the 5 defenders have to adjust to the differnt moves the attackers throw at them. 

The player with the ball jogs in a straight line with the tackler coming in form the side to tackle them.

Correct way of going down with the ball in a tackle. Person being tackled should 'twist' their body so that they land on their back.

Groups of 6+ players.  3 tackle shields per group.  1 Tackle Sausage per group.  3 people with bags act as attackers, 1 by 1 they run at suausage stepping to a side of there choice when at the sausage. Defenders start running when the attackers do, when the attacker steps, the defender makes quick decison in reaction to what shoulder he/she hits with.  NOT FULL TACKLE - Focus on impact, and leg drive. Progression: Get rid of the tackle bags and use balls - progress to full tackle. 

Groups 6+  Cones. Balls 1. Warm up - Non Contact. Players start on the corner of a square grid. They then in turn run to meet in the middle of the square. The Attacker side steps, while defender tries to get a shoulders on contact on the attacker.  2. Contact introduced - Attakcing Player Focus.  Attacking player after being tackled must land on top of the ball. Then must release the ball, then fire up as quickly as possible to re-gather the ball and keep running.  3. Focus on the defender.  After making a good tackle, with focus on body height, squeeze and foot in close, the defender must return to feet as quiclkly as possible to compete for the ball again.   

Good for younger rugby players to learn how to go into contact and set up the ball at pace, you can use it as a competition between the team with a limit of time etc. 2 tackle shields 1 ball 2 people are on the tackle shields about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders. Ball carrier runs in to one defender and places the ball, once placed, he gets to his feet quickly and runs into the next defender doing the same. This process can continue for as short or as long as you like, a good challenge would be 30 second limit to get in as many hits and ball placements as possible.

Groups of 4    Focus on foot placment against the attacker.  One player stands on his own, opposite another player.  the other 2 players link up to one of the players and act as resistance against the player pushign the attacker.  When the whistle goes the attacker and defender(with players holding on to him/her) runtowrads eachother. The dfender focuses on gettign foot inclose and then getting leg drive going.  The trialer players give some resistance to encourage the leg drive. 

Groups of 4    Focus on foot placment against the attacker.  One player stands on his own, opposite another player.  the other 2 players link up to one of the players and act as resistance against the player pushign the attacker.  When the whistle goes the attacker and defender(with players holding on to him/her) runtowrads eachother. The dfender focuses on gettign foot inclose and then getting leg drive going.  The trialer players give some resistance to encourage the leg drive. 

Static tackling. Every time the player with the ball is tackled, they have to release the ball and quickly pick it up again and stand up, ready to be tackled again. Time how long it takes to happen 5 times in succession.

Groups of 6+ players.  3 tackle shields per group.  1 Tackle Sausage per group.  3 people with bags act as attackers, 1 by 1 they run at suausage stepping to a side of there choice when at the sausage. Defenders start running when the attackers do, when the attacker steps, the defender makes quick decison in reaction to what shoulder he/she hits with.  NOT FULL TACKLE - Focus on impact, and leg drive.

The first player moves forwards, makes contact with the tackle bag and retreats diagonally to the line of cones. The next player joins the line and both the players move forward and hit the tackle bag or shield before retreating back to the line again. The third player then joins the line and all three players go out to meet the tackle bag, shield or fall on the ball. Drill continues with all players involved.

2 people are on the tackle shields or 2 on each side about 5 metres apart facing each other, there is a ball carrier standing in the middle of the two defenders with one or two attackers. Ball carrier runs into defender/s and places the ball, the supporting player/s must clear away the defenders. Each attacker must have a go at hitting the defender and placing the ball.

This game is designed to teach the players about body height in tackling and ruck clean out. Set up a field about 15m long by 10m wide. Keep it narrow to give the defenders a better chance at catching the runners. Tell all the players to line up at one end facing back down the playing field. Choose 2 players to stand in the middle and tell them they are the defenders who have to tackle any runners before they reach the other side. Explain to the runners they have to run from one end to the other without getting tackled by the defenders. If a runner gets tackled they must stop exactly where they were tackled and stand on that spot. They are called bashers and cannot move their feet until the game is finished. The bashers can, however, push runners over if they come close enough to reach (bashers cannot move their feet so a good strong stance is necessary). If a runner is pushed over by a basher he/she becomes a basher too. Once the runners have made it through to the other end the bashers and tacklers turn around to face the runners and on the coaches call the run through again. This continues until there are no more runners and the last runner wins.

4 sausages  4 Bags  The sausages and bags are lined up alternately in a line. 8 defenders start lined up outside of the tackle grid. Whistle goes, the tacklers must shuffle across as a team (in a line) to line up opposite a bag or sausage before making a hit. 

Starting with their backs to one another, two players stand 5 metres apart and run off in opposite directions along one side of the 20 metre grid. At the corners of square each player cuts back into the grid and the player with the ball attempts to score by running with the ball into the far corner. The blue player's objective is to tackle them and prevent them from scoring.

Groups of 6  Balls  2 attackers start with the ball the complete a simple 2v1 catch and pass.  The first defender then has to scramble his way back to prevent the defenders scoring the 2nd 2v1 situation, from another defender a few meters behind.

The group is split in half. The coach is positioned behind the defenders and instructs the movement of the attackers, who are holding tackle shields. Defenders must mirror the movement of the attackers. If the coach indicates right, the attackers move right. If the coach raises his hands in the air, the attackers move forwards and the defenders move up in a line to meet the tackle shields. The two lines then retreat and the drill continues.

groups of 2  One player uses footwork and fast feet to try and lose his shadow (the other player)  The shadow has to try and keep in line as much as possible with the player trying to escape. 

Start the session with a game of single Tag rugby.