Rugby: Double Tackle Technique

Develop the aggressive Blitz defending style in you game and don’t let the opposition get comfortable on the ball with this session.

Get your players thinking their way through this session, focussing on Drift Defence when the opposition have an overlap on the outside.

Players stand 5 metres apart, only the attacking player moves in this drill, the tackler remains still as their partner approaches.

As the player gets close the tackler should keep their head up and engage the runner with either their left or right shoulder.

Holding around their knees tightly and driving with their shoulder they should allow the player to fall over their shoulder to floor.

• 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. 

*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 three, the aim of the exercise is for the second defender to contest the tackle.
• One player starts with the ball, standing still.
• A defender is on one or both knees preparing to tackle the attacker.
• A second defender is stood ready behind the first defender.
• The first defender wraps their arms round the attacker and tackles them to the floor.
• The attacker presents the ball as if to the scrum half.
• The second defender rucks over (contesting the tackle) and should steal the ball.