Toughening Up?

[david0404]

Hey guys, i was wondering if anyone could help me. i'm 15 years old and last september i started my first season in club rugby. Beforehand i had played very little rugby but as a sport i love watching it and i thought i would give it ago. Anyway, 7 months later and having played a whole season as a lock and scoring seven tries (which i was surprised at) i still have trouble with the game's principle skill; tackling.

Before a match i will psyche myself up thinking i can do it but no matter how hard i try when a big guy is coming towards me i kind of shy away and put my body in the way without effectively making a tackle. I'm a big guy who's a bit overweight and needs to lose a couple of pounds over the summer through fitness but i find it hard to get down to someone's legs and make a crunching tackle. I think i might struggle next season despite acclimatising to the game, as i am playing opponents with years of experience since they were 7 or 8 years old.

So without all that blabber, i was wondering if someone could give me some advice as to how to toughen up and be prepared to make the big tackles and basically improve my defensive work??

if you read all this thank you in advance.

 

[best_fullback]

When I first started playing I was exactly like you. Whenever the big quick players came towards me I always used to think that I was going to get injured so I would do exactly the same thing as you and just shy away from making the tackle and turn my body in the vain attempt that him running into might just make him fall over!

I can't really remember when I had an epiphany but it was probably when I was about 13 or 14, and all of a sudden I managed to convince myself to tackle, and actually tackle very well, even at a young age being one of the best tacklers on my team even though I was the smallest. Even today playing with Men and being only 5'8" I can tackle as well as any of them. What you have to convince yourself is that no matter how big anyone else is, or how fast they are, you can always put them down - and all it all comes down to is technique. This is the absolute key, because as I found out, when my technique was good, it removed all the fear I had because I had the belief that no matter what anyone throws at me, I can put them down.

If we get to the core basics of tackling firstly we need to be aiming at the midriff of the player with the ball - from between the bottom of the ribs to above the knees - in the general waist area. By hitting someone here you hit your body into theirs at the most powerful angle (body bent down to between 45 and 90 degrees) straight into their centre of gravity.

Secondly you need to be thinking about what you are doing when you tackle. Tackling isn't about running at someone full pelt and smashing into them to crash them down. Tackling well is an art of using someone elses weight and momentum, as well as yours at the right angle, to effectively take them off of their feet. If I dissect what goes through my mind when in defence I firstly think about running close to their player to close down their space and narrow down their options. If you sit back they can build up as much speed as they want making it more likely that you will get knocked off them and hurt or just get ran around. Just when you get within a meter or so (close enough that you can go either left or right and comfortably tackle them without them running around you) make a wide, strong base with your feet about as wide as your shoulders or a bit wider with your arms slightly spread, on your toes, ready to make the tackle. Then wait for them to make the next move. As you have got yourself close enough to close down their options let them come to you. If you go diving in one way too early they may easily side-step you, or knock you over because you are off balance.

Once you have decided of the way they are going, drop your upper body down and aim to make contact with the area I mentioned with your shoulder and extended arm, spreading your arms wide and driving you legs towards the target. As soon as you feel contact grasp onto them, wrap both arms around and continue to drive you legs as hard as you can through this area on the body. Even if it does not take them off their feet immediately if you drive your legs it will slow them down enough to allow other defends to help you.

I suppose you just need to practice. Just go in without fearing the worst outcome and thinking about driving your legs through that target, effectively bringing the player down. Watch some games and really pay attention to how they tackle and us the other players momentum to consistently and effectively bring them down.

I hope this helps!

 

[lucky number 7]

Tackling well is an art of using someone elses weight and momentum, as well as yours at the right angle, to effectively take them off of their feet.

Beautifully put....

 

[TRF_melon]

Beautifully put....

Shall we say hello to Mrs. Palmer and her 5 daughters or have a beer in celebration?

The former followed by the latter would be my preference.

The latter is my reality for the 97th time this evening then shall try the former for size later. HELLS YEWAH!!!! WOOOO!

 

[lucky number 7]

Shall we say hello to Mrs. Palmer and her 5 daughters or have a beer in celebration?

The former followed by the latter would be my preference.

The latter is my reality for the 97th time this evening then shall try the former for size later. HELLS YEWAH!!!! WOOOO!

I like hand party also

 

[TRF_melon]

I like hand party also

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Just watch "The Fighter" before you play

 

[Seaton]

I don't know how good a tackler I am, I can never seem to be able to catch my opposing player

 

[lucky number 7]

That happens a lot if you enter the tackle situation flat footed and remain static .. ideally you should be closing down space and forcing a decision on the attacker whilst staying on your toes...when he has picked a side ...boom hit with shoulder and complete a leg drive.

 

[Charles]

That happens a lot if you enter the tackle situation flat footed and remain static .. ideally you should be closing down space and forcing a decision on the attacker whilst staying on your toes...when he has picked a side ...boom hit with shoulder and complete a leg drive.

Yeah well that's in the forwards...That's a whole different game in the backs...

 

[Seaton]

Yeah well that's in the forwards...That's a whole different game in the backs...

Made even worse when its a prop going after the scrum-half/wing

 

[lucky number 7]

I've played quite a bit at 13 and it was to an extent much the same although the key difference I found was you have more space to cover and so you really have to trust the guys on your inside and likewise you have to be busting a gut covering the guy outside you ,once a team has developed a decent foundation of pushing from from inside to out all you need to work on then is the fundamentals of the tackle.