Jab Tackle Difficulty of the skill: Orange - this is a medium difficulty core skill for ages 7 upwards. What is the skill? In essence, this defensive skill is a jab towards the ball when the ball carrier takes their stick off the ball leaving it unprotected. When should the skill be adopted? This technique should be used when the defending player wishes to make a tackle. Using this technique the player may not intend to win possession initially. The main aim is to stop the momentum of the ball carrier and create a situation which may enable the defending team to win the ball. A defending player may jab the ball away from the ball carrier in order to enable another team mate to win possession. Alternatively a defending player may use the jab tackle to cause the ball carrier to lose control of the ball at which point they could use a block tackle to gain possession. Example of the skill Page 1 of 5
The defender waits for an opportunity to make the jab tackle such as when the attacker takes their stick off the ball leaving it unprotected or when the attacker looks towards the ground. When making the jab the defender lunges with their left foot forwards and takes their right hand off the stick in order to increase their reach. After using the jab tackle the defender returns their right hand onto their stick as quickly as possible. Page 2 of 5
Coaching Points Jab Tackle Head Hands and arms Body Feet Opponent It is important that the defending player keeps their head up ahead of making the jab tackle. This will enable them to close down the ball carrier and time their tackle well by taking cues from the attacking player. When executing the tackle the defending player should concentrate on the ball, adjusting their position in order to win the ball or make a secondary tackle. If the jab tackle is successful and the defending player gains possession of the ball then they should return to a good ball carrying position as quickly as possible. In order to get a greater reach players start with both hands on their stick and then jab with just their left hand on the stick. The player lunges forwards with their left foot to make the jab, removing their right hand from the stick. By taking the right hand from the stick it will enable the defending player to cover a much greater distance with their reach. The jab tackle is a quick movement. It is important that as soon as the jab tackle has been executed the player returns their right hand to their stick. By doing so the player will be in a position to make a secondary tackle if necessary or return to a good ball carrying position quickly should they win the ball with the initial jab tackle. The player should adopt a sideways position facing their right hand side. This positioning will enable the player to keep balanced during the tackle. The defending player should be on the left hand side of the attacker when using the jab tackle. Adopting this body position will engage the attacking player and will make it difficult for them to pass easily. Whilst executing the tackle the player s feet need to be sideways on. This sideways position not only provides a greater reach but will give the defending player a greater chance of protecting their feet. The player should keep on the balls of the feet to enable quicker movement and change of direction. The defender should look for cues from the attacker in order to make an effective tackle. The defending player should be looking to make the jab tackle when the attacking player takes their stick off the ball or when the attacking player looks towards the ground. By taking the stick off the ball the attacking player leaves it unprotected and open for the defending player to jab it out of the attackers possession. The defending player may attempt to get the attacking player to focus on the ball and therefore look towards the ground by making dummy jab tackles before the actual tackle is made. Dummy jab tackles are used with the intention to offset and draw the attacker s vision and focus towards the floor and away from possible passing and Page 3 of 5
movement options. When performing a dummy jab tackle the defending player will make movements towards the ball carrier to suggest that they are going to jab the ball, but the player does not remove their right hand from the stick nor commit to fully to the tackle by lunging forwards as they would when executing a full jab tackle. The defender should keep their stick low to the ground during the tackle. Stick When jabbing the front flat side of the player s stick should be facing upwards. The player extends the stick towards the ball quickly with a jab like motion. Vision By scanning between the ball carrier and the ball the defender will be Additional Information looking for cues in order to time their tackle well. If the defender decides to make an initial dummy jab; they jab towards the ball with the view to offset the attacker not make contact with the ball, place their hands back on their stick and then quickly follow up with a secondary jab this time with the view to make contact with the ball. By taking their right hand off the stick and lunging forward when using the jab tackle the player increases their reach and therefore can if needed they can stretch to make the tackle. Suggested Exercise The attacker carrying the ball begins at one side of the playing area and the defender and second attacker begin at the opposite side. The ball carrier (first attacker) moves towards the defender and when in position the defender engages with the first attacker. The first attacker aims to maintain possession of the ball whilst the defender aims to gain possession by using the jab tackle. The first attacker attempts to eliminate the defender, maintain possession and make a pass to the second attacker who has moved into space to support the first attacker. In this exercise it is important that the first attacker allows the defender to get into position in order to practice the jab tackle as opposed to passing the ball to the second attacker before the defender is within tackling distance. The example demonstrates the defender engaging with the ball carrier. Page 4 of 5
Key Attacker 1 ball carrier Attacker 1 s movement Attacker 2 receiver Defender Defender s movement Attacker 2 s movement Page 5 of 5