Tackling

Tackling Technique

Perform a safe, strong block tackle

Tackling
Defending
Premium

Tackling Technique is a 12-minute tackling drill for 4-16 players, suitable for Under 8 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones. 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
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable

Duration

12 min

Players

4-16

Pitch size

10 x 10 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Tackling Technique1210 x 10 yards

Tackling Technique — Pairs facing each other · 10 x 10 yards

Step 1 of 3Both players walk in and make contact with the inside of the foot on the ball.

  1. 1. Both players walk in and make contact with the inside of the foot on the ball.
  2. 2. Progress to a jog, then a live 1v1 from five yards.
  3. 3. Ten controlled reps before adding pace.
  • Ball
  • Pairs working across a marked lane
  • Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

  • -Perform a safe, strong block tackle
  • -Time the tackle correctly
  • -Stay on the feet where possible

Setup

  1. 1Pairs facing each other across a 3-yard line of cones.
  2. 2One ball per pair placed on the line.
  3. 3Grass or soft surface only.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Both players walk in and make contact with the inside of the foot on the ball.
  2. 2Progress to a jog, then a live 1v1 from five yards.
  3. 3Ten controlled reps before adding pace.

Coaching points

  • -Inside of the foot, ankle locked
  • -Body weight through the tackle
  • -Eyes on the ball, not the opponent
  • -Follow through and come away with possession

Common mistakes

  • -Reaching with the toe
  • -Leaning back with no bodyweight
  • -Committing too early

Where this drill fits

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