1 v 1 Tackle Technique /

1 v 1 Static Tackle 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to tackle formats of the game and is suitable for ages 8+

Key coaching points:

• Hit with same foot, same shoulder (Example: if right footsteps in hit with right foot)
• Back foot provides power and steps through the tackle
• Head to the side and eyes looking up through the tackle

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Progress the drill to walking into tackle
• Reward the player with the best tackle technique, they can choose the game to play at the end of training (Bullrush, tackle footy, touch footy, etc)
• Attacker holds a football instead of a hit shield, defender then must hit under the ball and knock it out

1 v 1 Diamond Tackle

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to tackle formats of the game and is suitable for ages 8+

Key coaching points:

• Hit with same foot, same shoulder (Example: if right footsteps in hit with right foot)
• Back foot provides power and steps through the tackle
• Head to the side and eyes looking up through the tackle

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Make the diamonds bigger, meaning the defender is more challenged to close the space and still execute the tackle.
• Reward the player who can hit the hardest whilst maintaining the best tackle technique, they can choose the game to play at the end of training (Bullrush, tackle footy, touch footy, etc)
• Attacker holds a football instead of a hit shield, defender then must hit under the ball and knock it out

1 v 1 Tackle Technique 4x Efforts 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to tackle and tag formats of the game and is suitable for ages 8+. For league tag players, replace the hit shields with tags.

Key coaching points:

• Hit with same foot, same shoulder (Example: if right footsteps in hit with right foot)
• Back foot provides power and steps through the tackle
• Head to the side and eyes looking up through the tackle

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Attacker holds a football instead of a hit shield, defender then must hit under the ball and knock it out.
• Reward the player with the most effort when retreating and moving up (line speed), they can choose the game to play at the end of training (Bullrush, tackle footy, touch footy, etc)

1 v 1 Tackle Technique Around Poles 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to tackle and tag formats of the game and is suitable for ages 8+. For league tag players, replace the hit shields with tags.

Key coaching points:

• Hit with same foot, same shoulder (Example: if right footsteps in hit with right foot)
• Back foot provides power and steps through the tackle
• Head to the side and eyes looking up through the tackle
• Ensure defender goes up square and makes tackle on outside shoulder (Shoulder furthest from the poles)

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Attacker holds a football instead of a hit shield, defender then must hit under the ball and knock it out.
• Put a cone at the back of both ends of the grid, as a target for the attacker and defender. The goal is that the attacker runs hard and gets to their cone, whilst the defender must hit hard and drive the attacker back to their targeted cone. The loser does 1 burpee.

1 v 1 Tackle Technique Through Poles

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to tackle and tag formats of the game and is suitable for ages 12+. For league tag players, replace the hit shields with tags.

Key coaching points:

• Hit with same foot, same shoulder (Example: if right footsteps in hit with right foot)
• Back foot provides power and steps through the tackle
• Head to the side and eyes looking up through the tackle
• Ensure defender gets through the poles and hits square

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Attacker holds a football instead of a hit shield, defender then must hit under the ball and knock it out.
• Put a cone at the back of both ends of the grid, as a target for the attacker and defender. The goal is that the attacker runs hard and gets to their cone, whilst the defender must hit hard and drive the attacker back to their targeted cone. The loser does 1 burpee.

1 v 1 Tackle Technique Through Poles with Hexagons

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to tackle and tag formats of the game and is suitable for ages 12+. For league tag players, replace the hit shields with tags.

Key coaching points:

• Hit with same foot, same shoulder (Example: if right footsteps in hit with right foot)
• Back foot provides power and steps through the tackle
• Head to the side and eyes looking up through the tackle
• Ensure defender gets through the poles and hits square

Things to remember when running this drill:

• Focus on the skill, not the drill
• Allow your players to practice on their dominant and non-dominant side (Bilateral learning)
• Have multiple grids/versions of the drill set up so all players are involved

Modifying the drill into a game or make it more challenging:

• Attacker holds a football instead of a hit shield, defender then must hit under the ball and knock it out.
• Put a cone at the back of both ends of the grid, as a target for the attacker and defender. The goal is that the attacker runs hard and gets to their cone, whilst the defender must hit hard and drive the attacker back to their targeted cone. The loser does 1 burpee.

Click here to add this drill to your own blank session plan.

Contact the CRRL coach developer for more help and ideas: Liam Herbert – lherbert@raiders.com.au