How to teach the front on tackle to 10 year olds

Simon JonesCoach, England

David

The key is that this becomes the side tackle once the ball carrier passes the tackler. Emphaise that the tackler should not hit with the shoulder (that comes when they are older!), rather the tackler lets the ball carrier fall over them and twists as they fall so that the tackler lands on top of the ball carrier!

Remind your young players that they are only tackling the legs and waist, all the bits on top actually don't matter.

Key points:

• Make sure you look at the hips of the ball carrier
• Get low with your arms wide and be light on your feet so you can move sideway if the ball carrier tries to run around you
• Go towards the ball carrier staying low
• Make contact with your shoulder just below the ball carriers waist
• Wrap your arms around the ball carriers legs and squeeze
• Drive with your legs to knock the ball carrier over
• Make sure you finish on with your head on top of the ball carrier
• Get quickly back to your feet and once you are on your feet pick up the ball before supporting players arrive

I hope this helps - don't forget to make it fun!

Simon

Rugby CoachCoach

Teach them the rhyme -"Eyes to thighs, Cheek to cheek, squeeze the knees" Michael

Rugby CoachCoach

I find that tackling a sausage bag first is quite useful as it gets them to move to the tackle as well look for the basic pit falls of the bag i.e. feet off the floor at contact and build up. A decent set of tackle suits makes younger players feel invincible too.