How to Do Rugby Tackling Drills

To successfully practice rugby tackling, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. You should keep your head low and to the outside, and keep your upper body at the hip of your opponent. Practice using the a tackle dummy before you move on to tackling other players.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place one defensive player and one offensive player in a 5 by 5 yard practice field.

    • 2

      Set up a scrimmage where players score one point for each tackle the defense makes, and one point for each escape. This drill can also be played with two-on-two in a larger area.

    • 3

      Play a practice game where defenders stay on their knees and offensive players are only allowed to walk forward without moving in other directions. This teaches the players where to hit the body to produce the tackle.

    • 4

      Practice a tackling drill with dummies. Set the dummies up in alternating rows and have defensive players tackle them using alternating shoulders. Stress that hits be thigh high.

    • 5

      Use the 20 second drill. Players face off one on one. For every tackle the defensive player makes, score one point. Once tackled, the offensive player can immediately jump up and run again. Offensive players score one point for each escape.