My players are scared of contact
Hesitating, pulling out of tackles, turning their back
Why it happens
- They don't know how to fall, so hitting the ground feels risky.
- They've been asked to tackle at full speed before the technique is safe.
- Mismatched pairs: small or new players keep facing the biggest kids.
- One bad knock (or watching one) has stuck with them.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Cheek to cheek, wrap, squeeze, roll.”
- “Brave try! Your head was in the right place.”
- “Eyes open, little steps in close.”
✗ Not this
- “Just get stuck in.”
- “Don't be scared.”
- Only praising the big hits.
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.
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.
Knee wrestling squares
How it works
- Pairs kneel facing each other inside a small square.
- On the whistle, try to push or turn your partner out of the square.
- 20-second rounds, then rotate partners.
Coaching points
- Pair by size first, friendship second.
- Hands on shoulders and chest only, never the head or neck.
- Lots of praise and laughter. This is about getting used to contact.
Ready for the next level when: Players are laughing and choosing to go again.
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.
1v1 narrow channel
How it works
- The ball carrier jogs down the channel; the tackler moves forward to meet them.
- The narrow channel stops the carrier swerving away, so the tackler can commit.
- Start at a jog. Widen the channel only once tackles are clean.
Coaching points
- Shorten the steps on approach, sink the hips.
- Front-on tackle: cheek to the side, never head in front.
- Reset after every rep so everyone gets lots of turns.
Ready for the next level when: Move back to Level 4 any time technique slips or confidence drops.
Common coaching mistakes
- Jumping straight to running tackles. Each level is earned.
- Head in front of the ball carrier. Stop and re-teach right away.
- Keeping the same mismatched pairs all session.
- Too many kids waiting in a queue. Run 3–4 small groups instead.
Related problems
FallingSafety
They don't know how to fall
Arms out, landing on wrists and elbows, heads hitting the ground
TackleSafetyThey tackle too high
Arms round the shoulders, grabbing shirts, heads in the wrong place
ConfidenceBall carrierWellbeingMy players are afraid of getting hurt
Worried about knocks, falls and big kids. Holding back in games, nervous before training.
Decision-makingAttackMy players freeze with the ball
Indecisive, slow to pass, run into trouble or stand still