Tackling

Side-On Tackling Channel

Win the ball while running alongside

Tackling

Defending

Speed & Agility

Side-On Tackling Channel is a 14-minute tackling drill for 4-16 players, suitable for Under 9 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Tackling

Defending

Speed & Agility

Skill Practice

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

14 min

Players

4-16

Pitch size

20 x 8 yard channel

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Objectives

-Win the ball while running alongside
-Choose the right moment to tackle
-Stay on the feet

Setup

1A long narrow channel with a target line at the end.
2Attacker and defender start side by side.
3Balls at the start of the channel.

Coaching instructions

1Attacker runs the channel, defender runs alongside and tackles when the touch is heavy.
2Defender scores by winning it and stopping the ball.
3Swap after each rep.

Coaching points

-Match the attacker's pace before tackling
-Tackle on their heavy touch
-Use the near foot and keep balance

Common mistakes

-Tackling from behind
-Getting shoulder to shoulder too late
-Going to ground unnecessarily

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch