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dows this session involve tackle practice
Ned JohnstonCoach, England
ANSWERS
Cam HughesCoach, England
Not every defensive session needs full contact, and the good ones usually earn it rather than start with it. Begin with the shape â line speed, spacing and who talks â using touch or a grab, because players cannot learn to move as a unit while they are thinking about the hit. Once the line is working together, add a tackle element in controlled numbers: one tackler, one carrier, slow to start and from close range, building the height and the leg drive before you build the speed. Save live contact for short, sharp blocks at the end when players are warm but not yet tired, and keep the numbers low so you can watch technique. If you only have a short session, shape without contact beats contact without shape.
