2 v 1 Tackling, 3 v 1 Tackling, Ruck Defence /

Dual Contact Around Poles

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to the tackle format of the game and is suitable for ages 13+.

Key coaching points:

• Players communicate and get connected so they can hit together
• Both players step in with lead foot
• Player’s feet and hips touching/connected to close space, drive through 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.
• Put a cone at the back of both ends of the grid, as a target for the attacker and defenders. The goal is that the attacker runs hard and gets to their cone, whilst the defenders must hit hard and drive the attacker back to their targeted cone. The loser does 1 burpee.

3 v 1 Collision Carry into Markers 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to the tackle format of the game and is suitable for ages 13+.

Key coaching points:

• Players communicate and get connected so they can hit together
• Both players step in with lead foot
• Player’s feet and hips touching/connected to close space, drive through tackle
• Markers correct spacings and indicate

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:

• If the attacker lands on their front and not their back, then the 3 defenders must do 5 push ups each
• The group with the best communication between defenders gets to decide what game the team plays to finish the training session

Ring of Fire (Dual Contact)

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to the tackle format of the game and is suitable for ages 13+.

Key coaching points:

• Line speed is aggressive and connected (Straight line)
• Both players step in with lead foot
• Player’s feet and hips touching/connected to close space, drive through 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:

• If the defensive line is disconnected (broken/not straight) and players don’t hit together then at the end of that groups turn, then they must do 10 burpees each
• The group that displays the best quality of reps, get to decide what game the team plays at the end of training

Ruck Defence Marker Movements & Connections 

What code and age are this drill appropriate for?

This drill can be applied to the tackle format of the game and is suitable for ages 13+.

Key coaching points:

• Defenders have personal communication with the player inside them
• Markers space themselves out from the ruck and indicate with their arm which direction they are going
• Line speed is aggressive to get connected with markers and take space away from attackers
• The team should finish and present one straight connected line

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:

• If players don’t communicate/ talk to the person inside them then that group does 10 star jumps.
• The group that displays the best quality of reps, get to decide what game the team plays at the end of training
• If the group is demonstrating a good job and are ready to move on- progress to defending 2 plays rather than 1

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