Tackle Technique Including Tracking

Transcription

1 Tackle Technique Including Tracking There are a number of technical components in rugby union where contact is relevant to the roles of coaching. Players will make contact with the opposition, team-mates, the ground and the ball. This contact can occur through the tackle, ruck, maul, lineout and scrum. The game of rugby is quite unique to a number of other sports due to the fact that it has an element of contact and collision. As coaches it is extremely important to understand the different forms of contact and how to coach them to be effective and more importantly SAFE. In 2001 the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) introduced a confidence in contact program called SmartRugby. This program was designed to focus on the safety aspects involved in coaching contact. It is important to understand that coaches have a duty of care to help players minimize injury and reach peak performance in all aspects of the game. For all SmartRugby resources and coaching aids please visit the NSW Rugby Union Website at and go to NSW Coach Education. When coaching the tackle, we must first identify the styles and levels of contact involved and in what situation to implement each, for best results. Some styles include: 1. Block Tackle 4. Leg Lift Tackle 2. Impact Tackle 5. Buddy Up Tackle 3. Cover Tackle 6. Fringe Tackle Q. When in a game of rugby union should you use the following styles of tackles? TACKLE STYLE GAME SITUATION TACKLE STYLE GAME SITUATION 1. Block (low) Tackle 4. Leg Lift Tackle 2. Impact Tackle 5. Buddy Up Tackle 3. Cover Tackle 6. Fringe Tackle Tracking in Defence While a number of the technical components will differ for each style, a couple of things will remain consistent no matter what style you are coaching. The concept of following a player to the point of contact and being in a strong body position when in contact, is something which is relevant to all styles of tackling and is referred to as TRACKING.

2 As tracking is extremely important in the element of defence and the tackle, it is important to understand and coach it correctly. The following is a list of coaching points to consider when coaching tracking. 1. Foot speed off the line Players should be coached to move off the line quickly, as to cut down the time and space of the ball carrier. This will increase the pressure applied to the ball carrier. A split stance (one foot forward and the other back) in defence should be implemented to encourage players to move off the line quickly. (Figure 1) 2. Approaching from a shoulder This will allow you to take the space on one side of the ball carrier allowing he or she to only attack in one direction. It is commonly coached to push up on the inside shoulder as to allow the defender to drift once ball has been passed. The momentum of the defender would be going in the same direction as the ball for a lateral pass. (Figure 2) 3. Foot placement into contact It is extremely important to coach your players to get a foot into the hula hoop (imaginary hoop around the feet of the attacker) just prior to and in contact. One school of thought suggests that the opposite foot to the tackle shoulder should be the lead foot. This enables the tackler to have his centre of gravity closer to the target, allowing the tackler to exert more power. However, as to which foot is not as important as to stress that the lead foot (which ever one) must be to or through the target. This means placing the lead foot as close as possible or past the feet of the ball carrier. This will enables the tackler to remain balanced in contact as well as provide a strong leg drive. (Figure 3) 4. Head up and eyes open Players must keep their heads up and eyes open as so on the point of contact or just prior, they can react to any change that the ball carrier implements i.e. step, pass. 5. Square Hips Players should have hips and shoulders facing forward to keep the ball carrier in the tacklers strong tackle zone. (Figure 4) 6. Angle of Hit This aspect of the tackle is aided by the approach. The emphasis on creating an angle to the tackler depends largely on the distance between tackler and ball carrier. On an extended distance the tackler should avoid a direct front on tackle, but instead make contact at about 45 to exploit the weak spot of the attacker and knock them off their running line, while still going forward. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Contact in the tackle Another element of the tackle that is relevant to all styles is the CONTACT component. The idea of using a part for your body to physically stop the forward momentum of your opponent can be quite intimidating for some players for the fear of getting injured / hurt. It is for this reason (safety) as well as for the effectiveness and success of the tackle that it is extremely important to coach your players to be confident in contact and to use the correct techniques.

3 Things to consider when coaching the tackle contact include: 1. Where to make contact on the ball carrier that will allow the tackler to perform an effective tackle? This can be referred to as the target area. This will change depending on the situation in the game and the style of tackle that you implement. 2. Where does the tackler make contact on their own body and how much? In each style the tacklers contact will differ, however the underlining principal that the more contact you get on the ball carrier, the better the impact and thus the better the outcome is very common between all styles. 3. Where does the tackler put their head? Again the head placement will differ in all styles, however it is important to remember that where the head goes, the shoulders will follow. The head will need to be close to the impact area and always to the side or back of the ball carrier. 4. How important is it to squeeze and chase the initial contact (hit)? Once contact is made, it is vital for the safety and effectiveness of the tackle that the tackler locks their arms around the ball carrier and squeezes. This will decrease the chance of the ball carrier continuing to move forward. Players should be encouraged to chase the initial contact and drive through the ball carrier. This will aid in the go forward of the defending team. Please find below some of the coaching points to consider when coaching the block and impact tackles. Block tackle (low tackle) This style of tackle should be the first taught to all rugby players. It should result in the tackler landing in a position on top of the ball carrier and done correctly will allow the defending player to exert enough force to go forward in the tackle. The tackle should not be considered complete until the tackler is back on their feet and in a position to attack the ball. Advantages of the block tackle 1. It halts the forward progress of the ball runner immediately, nullifying the opportunity for leg drive post-contact. 2. If performed correctly, enforces ruck ball only for the attacking team. This will bring an emphasis on the attacking team support to be there on time. 3. Requires less brute force than other methods of front-on-tackles, thereby allowing smaller tacklers to bring down larger ball runners. Disadvantages of the block tackle 1. Provides an opportunity for ball transfer in the contact situation. 2. Allows ball runner to possibly fall forward if tacklers force is not applied correctly, hence gaining territory in contact. 3. Rarely intimidates the ball runner to differ running lines and change style of play. When implementing the block tackle, it is important to take the following coaching points into consideration: 1. Head placement Eyes open, chin up and head to the side of the ball carrier. It is important to keep head in line with the spine and have head as close to target as possible. This will allow shoulders to get a good contact on ball carrier. (Figure 1)

4 2. Contact point on ball carrier Players should be targeting the thighs or shorts of the ball carrier and implementing the squeeze to the thighs to prevent continued forward movement. (Figure 2) 3. Strong Arm, Wrap & Squeeze Initial contact will be made with one shoulder, chest and arm (broad contact area) and therefore it is important that the contact is dynamic and strong. This can be achieved by using a flexed arm from wrist to shoulder. Arms should finish as close as possible to linking to each other. The squeeze component will allow the tackler to Stick to the ball carrier, effectively executing the tackle. (Figure 3) 4. Foot speed in contact After the lead foot is to or through the ball carrier and contact is made, use small dynamic steps to aid in chasing the initial contact (hit). This will provide leg drive in contact. While the ball carrier is going backwards, they are not in a position to provide a clean ball presentation. 5. Contesting the ball at the tackle contest Regain feet after taking player to ground (important to position your self on top) and dominate the space above the ball and over the tackled player to contest possession. (Figure 5 & 6) Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Impact Tackle The impact tackle is designed to physically dominate the ball carrier at the point of contact. The tackler assumes a position of authority by generating a strong and powerful force through contact and positioning their arm(s) inside the ball carrier. Advantages of the impact tackle 1. It physically dominates and quite often intimidates the ball carrier in contact. 2. It halts the progression of the ball carrier and if executed well, will result in the attacker being driven back past the point of contact.

5 3. It restricts the opportunity for ball transfer in contact, along with the opportunity to tie up the ball. This may result in a turnover through a scrum feed. 4. Can allow the tackler to dislodge the ball through the use of a strong-arm alone. This is in addition to the contact of the chest and shoulder. Disadvantages of the impact tackle 1. It provides the opportunity for the ball carrier to leg drive through contact. 2. It encourages the attacking tem to use the maul, which done correctly can be an extremely successful tool to go forward. 3. Is difficult to obtain a clean shot when the attacker comes at low body height or has room to move on either side of the tackler. When implementing the impact tackle, it is important to take the following coaching points into consideration: 1. Target area the target area for the impact tackle is the lower end of the sternum. Most jerseys have a logo or sponsor printed on them, which serves as an ideal target. 2. Spreading the impact - To avoid injury and increase the possibility of performing a successful, strong impacting tackle, players should spread the contact area across the chest, front of shoulder and arms. It is important to encourage players to get a strong-arm wrap on their target. This will allow players to stick to the ball carrier and chase the hit. (Figure 1) 3. Getting on the inside the ball carrier through contact Getting the tacklers arm (strong arm) in under the arm pit of the attacker. This will bring the attacked closer for greater impact and provide an opportunity to dislodge the ball. (Figure 1) 4. Body Position Good body position will ensure that the momentum and force generated by the leg drive and approach is conducted through the body and exits at the contact point i.e. tacklers shoulder. Head up and chest through and ensure that the hips and torso is straight and in line while the abdominal muscles are on (flexed). (Figure 2) 5. Foot positioning into and through contact It is paramount that the tackler get their lead foot to or through contact (which ever foot) to assist in the balance and stability as well as the power generated. Imagine there is a hula-hoop around the feet of the ball carrier; the lead foot must be inside the hoop for the tackler to be in a position to generate enough force to effectively execute the tackle. Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 When performing a tackle, players must be thinking about the end result, that being the regaining of possession. The tackle is not over until the tackler is back on their feet and attacking the ball from a position above the tackled player.