All rugby players need to be able to tackle, but the back row probably put in
more tackles per game than most other players. So it seems reasonable to talk about
the visual requirements in tackling for back row players. These would also be
largely the same for other players, though the backs might be more likely to
find themselves isolated in a one-on-one situation.
Some of the most common mistakes made in tackling include: planting the
feet; not getting close enough; not driving in with the shoulder; tackling too
high; and getting the head in the wrong position.
The tackler will take responsibility for guarding a channel, so will be
looking out for potential ball carriers running into that channel. Once that
ball carrier has been identified, the tackler should immediately switch their
focus to the ball carrier’s core area (around the stomach), because where the
core goes, the player goes. The tackler might also start visualising the
tackle.
“Visualise” in this sense means much more than imagining what something
will look like: it’s more about imagining the feel of the shoulder making
contact with the target area. An early switch of focus to the core means that
the tackler will be able to react to a change in direction from the ball
carrier, but the initial visualisation might for instance involve the right
shoulder driving into the right thigh of the ball carrier level with the bottom
of the shorts. This clear preparation should ensure that the head is safely to
the side of the ball carrier, “cheek to cheek”. If the tackler drops their
head, or gets it on the wrong side, serious injury could result.
We are all naturally drawn to look at other people’s faces, and this is
why tackles are often attempted too high. So in training, it’s important that
players make sure that they make this early switch in focus and visualisation
each time, whilst ensuring that they do not drop their head.
At non-elite levels, you often see players planting their feet quite
wide apart, sometimes stretching their arms out to the side, supposedly making
themselves a more difficult target to avoid. But it’s very difficult to get any
power into the tackle from that position, and it’s also very difficult to react
to any late movement from the ball carrier. The tackler often ends up having to
dive to make a tackle. This is likely to be ineffective if high, and runs the
risk of their head getting in the way of a stray boot if the tackle is low. The
tackler is also vulnerable to the hand off if the ball carrier runs straight at
them because they are in such a weak position.
The tackler should aim to get their feet in close to the ball carrier,
so it’s essential to keep their feet “active” with small steps. One tip is to
imagine a hula hoop around the ball carrier, and if the tackler is aiming with
their right shoulder, they should try and get their right foot within that
hoop. Another tip when training is to get the tackler to keep their hands in to
their chest, and to push against a ball carrier without extending their arms,
which again ensures they’ve got in close.
As the ball carrier gets in range, the tackler dips the shoulder
(dipping the shoulder too early can expose the head), but it’s still essential
to keep the head up. So the eyes focus on the target before contact, and then
past the ball carrier when contact is made. The feet must keep moving with
small steps to drive through the tackle as the arms close around the ball
carrier. If the tackle is made from the side, the ball carrier’s own momentum
should cause them to fall over with the tackler on top.
David Donner
