Rugby PitchsideCoaching help for U9–U13
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TackleConfidence

They won't go to ground in the tackle

Tacklers stay standing and wrestle, or let go when the ball carrier keeps moving

Why it happens

What to say

✓ Say this

  • “Wrap, squeeze, roll. Take them with you.”
  • “Land on top and roll.”
  • “You went to ground perfectly. That's the safest place to be.”

✗ Not this

  • “Just get them down.”
  • Laughing when a player falls awkwardly.
  • Pairing a nervous tackler with the biggest ball carrier.

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.

Kneel → crouch → standChin tucked, roll onto the shoulder
Level 15 minWhole squadGrass or matsNo contactU9 · U10 · U11

Fall and roll

How it works

  1. Players kneel, fall sideways and roll onto the back of the shoulder.
  2. Repeat from a crouch, then from standing.
  3. 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.

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Bag stands alone, or a player steadies it behindCheek to the side · wrap · drive · roll
Level 28 minGroups of 3–4Tackle bags (cylinders)Shields / bagsU9 · U10 · U11

Tackle bag take-downs

How it works

  1. Stand a tackle bag upright. If it needs steadying, a player does it from behind.
  2. Players step in side-on, wrap the bag low, drive and take it to the ground.
  3. Land on top, roll, get straight back up. Progress from a walk to a jog.

Coaching points

  • Wrap below where a real player's waist would be.
  • Head to the side of the bag, never in front.
  • No adults holding bags or shields for players.

Ready for the next level when: Go back to the drill ladder on “scared of contact” to move on to player-vs-player tackles.

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Both on knees · cheek to hipWrap · squeeze · roll · let go
Level 36 minPairs, matched by sizeGrass or mats, a ball per pairContact: kneelingU9 · U10 · U11

Wrap and roll on knees

How it works

  1. Both players kneel. The ball carrier holds the ball in two hands. The tackler kneels side-on, close enough to touch.
  2. On “go”, the tackler puts their cheek on the carrier's hip, wraps both arms, squeezes and rolls them onto the grass.
  3. 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.

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Tackler on knees, then crouching, then standing
Level 410 minPairs, matched by sizeCones, tackle bag optionalContact: walkingU9 · U10 · U11

Side-on tackle (kneeling → walking)

How it works

  1. The ball carrier walks across in front of the tackler.
  2. The tackler steps in side-on: cheek to cheek with the carrier's backside, wrap, squeeze, roll.
  3. 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.

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Walk through the gateTackler crouches → then standing
Level 58 minPairs, matched by sizeTwo cones per pair for a 2m gateContact: walkingU9 · U10 · U11

Walking gate tackle

How it works

  1. Set a 2m gate with two cones. The tackler waits beside the gate in a crouch; the ball carrier walks through it.
  2. As the carrier reaches the gate, the tackler steps in side-on, sinks, cheek to the hip, wraps and brings them down gently.
  3. Carrier lands and places the ball back. Swap roles every 3 goes. Progress the tackler from a crouch to standing.

Coaching points

  • Sink before you arrive, not when you get there. Bend the knees, flat back.
  • Shoulder hits the thigh or hip. Nothing above the waist.
  • Ball carrier: fall and place the ball, as in Fall and roll.

Ready for the next level when: Tackles from standing are at hip height with the head to the side, 5 out of 5.

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Common coaching mistakes

Related problems

FallingSafety
They don't know how to fall
Arms out, landing on wrists and elbows, heads hitting the ground
TackleMoving to contact
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
TackleConfidence
My players are scared of contact
Hesitating, pulling out of tackles, turning their back