We keep losing the ball in contact
Ball carriers get tackled and the ball goes to the other team
Why it happens
- Ball carriers hold the ball in one hand or away from their body.
- They land badly and the ball goes forward or gets trapped.
- Support arrives too late, so the other team gets there first.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Two hands, tight to your chest.”
- “Land, turn, place it long.”
- “Support: get there first and stay on your feet.”
✗ Not this
- “Just hold on to it!”
- “Get stuck in!” with no technique.
- Blaming the ball carrier for every turnover.
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.
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.
Shield walk-ins
How it works
- A partner of similar size holds the shield firmly, feet wide, one foot forward.
- The ball carrier walks into it and drives with their legs for 3 seconds.
- Go from walking to marching to jogging, then swap roles.
Coaching points
- Players hold the shields, never an adult.
- Ball held in both hands, tight to the chest. Shoulder into the shield, head up and to the side.
- Shield holders give a little and stay balanced, not rigid.
Ready for the next level when: Every player drives into the shield at a jog without slowing down.
Low and strong
How it works
- One partner holds a bag; the other carries the ball into it.
- Players practise the safest body position for going into contact.
- Swap after 3 goes. Praise the best body position, not the hardest hit.
Coaching points
- Low, wide feet and little steps before contact.
- Tuck the ball away from the contact.
- Never lead with the head.
Ready for the next level when: Players get into the low, strong position without being told.
Step over, kneeling defender
How it works
- One player lies on their side with the ball placed back long. A defender kneels on the far side of the ball.
- The support player arrives from behind the ball, steps over their teammate and gets low and strong: wide feet, bent knees, head up.
- The kneeling defender pushes gently. The support player holds the position for 3 seconds. Rotate roles.
Coaching points
- Arrive from behind the ball, not from the side.
- Low and strong: shoulders above hips, head up, eyes on the defender.
- Stay on your feet. If you fall over the ball, reset and go again.
Ready for the next level when: Support players arrive from behind and hold a strong position over the ball 5 times out of 5.
2v1 ruck at walking pace
How it works
- Ball carrier walks into a kneeling tackler, who tackles at the hips and rolls them gently, as in Kneeling hip hug.
- Carrier lands, turns and places long. One support player steps over from behind. One defender walks in from their side to try to pick up the ball, staying on their feet.
- If the support player gets there first and stays strong, the attack keeps the ball. Rotate all four roles.
Coaching points
- Support player: you're racing the defender. Go as soon as you see the tackle.
- Both the support player and the defender must stay on their feet. Hands on the ball only when you're standing.
- Tackler: release and roll away so the ball is clear.
Ready for the next level when: Support arrives first and on their feet most of the time, and the ball is placed long every time.
Common coaching mistakes
- Only practising the ball carrier, not the support.
- Live rucks before players can place and step over at walking pace.
- Big pitches where support is always far away.
Related problems
RuckContact
Our rucks are a mess
Pile-ups, players off their feet, the ball stuck under bodies
BreakdownContactThey don't know what to do after the tackle
Players stand around a tackled player, nobody knows whose ball it is
HandlingConfidenceThey drop the ball under pressure
Fine in drills, then fumbling as soon as a defender gets close