They don't know how to fall
Arms out, landing on wrists and elbows, heads hitting the ground
Why it happens
- Falling is a skill. Nobody teaches it, so they reach out with their hands like they would on a playground.
- They've never fallen on purpose, so every fall is a surprise.
- Grass can be hard, and one bad fall makes them scared of the next.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Chin to chest, roll onto the shoulder.”
- “No straight arms.”
- “Great roll! That's why it didn't hurt.”
✗ Not this
- “Just don't fall over.”
- Skipping falling practice because there's no time.
- “Get up, you're fine,” without checking.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Rocking chair
How it works
- Players sit on the grass, knees bent, hugging their knees.
- Tuck the chin to the chest and rock back onto the shoulders, then rock forward again.
- Add a sideways rock onto one shoulder, then the other. Then start from a crouch.
Coaching points
- Chin on chest the whole time. The head never touches the ground.
- Round back, like a rocking chair.
- Slow and controlled. This is the first step of every fall.
Ready for the next level when: Every player can rock back and to each side with their chin tucked, without being reminded.
Fall and roll
How it works
- Players kneel, fall sideways and roll onto the back of the shoulder.
- Repeat from a crouch, then from standing.
- Add a ball: fall, place it back, pop up.
Coaching points
- Tuck the chin to the chest.
- Never land on a straight arm.
- Get back up quickly, every time.
Ready for the next level when: Every player can fall from standing calmly without putting an arm out.
Fall on the cone
How it works
- Players jog in a line towards a cone.
- At the cone, they drop to their knees, fall sideways onto the shoulder and roll, as in Fall and roll.
- Pop straight up and jog on to the next cone. Then add a ball: fall with it held in two hands.
Coaching points
- Slow down before the cone. Speed comes later.
- Chin tucked, land on the side and the shoulder, never a straight arm.
- Get up quickly every time.
Ready for the next level when: Players fall safely from a jog, with a ball, every time.
Land, turn, long place
How it works
- Players jog around with a ball. On the whistle they go to ground on their side, as in Fall and roll.
- On the floor, they turn towards their own team and place the ball back at full arm's length.
- Pop up and go again. Add a buddy who shouts “place!” and picks the ball up.
Coaching points
- Land on the side, chin tucked, ball in two hands.
- Long place: arms stretched back towards your team, so the ball is away from the tackler.
- Get up straight away. The ball doesn't belong to the player on the floor.
Ready for the next level when: Every player lands safely and places the ball back long without being told.
Tackled and place
How it works
- The ball carrier walks past a kneeling partner, who makes a gentle side-on tackle.
- The ball carrier lands on their side or shoulder and places the ball back towards their team.
- Swap roles. Go to a jog only when both are calm.
Coaching points
- Landing is a skill. Practise it as much as tackling.
- Chin tucked, land on the shoulder or side, not on an arm.
- Place the ball back long, then get up quickly.
Ready for the next level when: Being tackled looks calm and controlled, with no panicked arms.
Falling every session
- Do 3–5 minutes of falling at the start of every session, not just once.
- Use soft ground or mats while they learn. Avoid hard or frozen pitches.
- A player who lands on their head: stop, check, and follow HEADCASE guidance.
Common coaching mistakes
- Teaching tackling before falling. Falling comes first, every time.
- One falling session and then never again. Little and often.
- Going straight to a jog before the kneeling fall is calm.
- Hard ground. Find the softest grass you have.
Related problems
TackleConfidence
My players are scared of contact
Hesitating, pulling out of tackles, turning their back
TackleMoving to contactThey still play like it's tag: grab and stop
Defenders grab a shirt or an arm and wait, as if the tag has been made
ConfidenceBall carrierWellbeingMy players are afraid of getting hurt
Worried about knocks, falls and big kids. Holding back in games, nervous before training.