They 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
Why it happens
- They've played tag for years. Grab and stop is a habit, not a choice.
- Nobody has shown them what to do after the first grab: wrap, squeeze, go to ground.
- They're unsure about going to ground, so they hold on and hope.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Grab is the start, not the end. Wrap and squeeze.”
- “Cheek to the hip, then roll them.”
- “Great finish! You took them all the way to the ground.”
✗ Not this
- “That's not tag anymore!” shouted mid-game.
- “Just knock them over.”
- Moving on to live tackling before kneeling and walking tackles are solid.
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.
Belt buckle tag
How it works
- Normal tag rugby in a small square, but a tag only counts if both hands touch the ball carrier's hips or waist.
- The tagger has to bend their knees and get low to do it. A high touch on the shoulders or back is play on.
- Coach calls “low!” on good tags. Swap teams every two minutes.
Coaching points
- Eyes on the belt buckle, not the face.
- Little steps in close, then sink the hips.
- This drill is tag only. No holding, no tackling.
Ready for the next level when: Nearly every tag is two hands on the hips without being reminded.
Kneeling hip hug
How it works
- Tackler kneels on one knee. Ball carrier stands side-on, close enough to touch.
- Tackler puts their cheek on the carrier's hip, wraps both arms round the thighs and squeezes for 3 seconds. Nobody goes to ground yet.
- Then the carrier takes one slow step. The tackler wraps, squeezes and rolls them gently onto the grass. Swap after 3 goes.
Coaching points
- Cheek to the hip, head behind the ball carrier. Never in front.
- Arms wrap below the waist. If an arm goes round the chest, start again.
- Slow is fine. We're learning where the head and arms go.
Ready for the next level when: Every player can wrap at hip height with their head to the side, 5 times out of 5.
Wrap and roll on knees
How it works
- Both players kneel. The ball carrier holds the ball in two hands. The tackler kneels side-on, close enough to touch.
- On “go”, the tackler puts their cheek on the carrier's hip, wraps both arms, squeezes and rolls them onto the grass.
- The tackler finishes on top, lets go and gets up. Swap after 3 goes.
Coaching points
- Grab is the start, not the end: wrap, squeeze, roll.
- Head behind the ball carrier, cheek to the hip. Never in front.
- Ball carrier lands on the side, as in Fall and roll.
Ready for the next level when: Every tackle finishes on the ground with the tackler's head to the side, 5 times out of 5.
Crocodile river
How it works
- Crocodiles kneel in the river. Runners walk across carrying a ball.
- Crocodiles tackle from their knees: cheek on the hip, wrap, roll.
- Swap roles after 3 crossings. Speed up to a brisk walk when ready.
Coaching points
- Tackler's head goes behind the ball carrier's backside, cheek to the hip.
- Arms wrap and squeeze, like a hug.
- Ball carriers fall and roll as practised in Level 1.
Ready for the next level when: Tacklers are wrapping cleanly with their heads in the right place nearly every time.
Side-on tackle (kneeling → walking)
How it works
- The ball carrier walks across in front of the tackler.
- The tackler steps in side-on: cheek to cheek with the carrier's backside, wrap, squeeze, roll.
- Progress the tackler from kneeling to crouching to standing.
Coaching points
- Aim at the hips or waist. Stay well below the base of the sternum.
- Little steps to get close before going in.
- Land on top and roll the ball carrier, not underneath.
Ready for the next level when: Clean technique from standing against a walking carrier, 5 out of 5.
Common coaching mistakes
- Going from tag straight to running tackles. Kneeling and walking come first.
- Not teaching falling first. Players hold on and stay up because they are scared to go down.
- Praising a grab that stopped the player. The tackle isn't finished until both are on the ground.
- Mismatched pairs, so the tackler can't take the carrier down.
Related problems
FallingSafety
They don't know how to fall
Arms out, landing on wrists and elbows, heads hitting the ground
TackleConfidenceMy players are scared of contact
Hesitating, pulling out of tackles, turning their back
TackleSafetyThey tackle too high
Arms round the shoulders, grabbing shirts, heads in the wrong place