Objective: develop the ability to consistently win 1v1 tackle situations through effective tracking, tackle technique, body position and effort after contact.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10 min | Continuous Bulldogs |
| 5 min | Dynamic Warm-Up |
| 8 min | Track & Tackle Progression |
| 8 min | Contact Stations Swap |
| 12 min | 4v4 Tackle Challenge |
| 12 min | Touch Rugby Plus (+ up to 5 min buffer) |
Timing: planned to 55 minutes with a 5-minute buffer built in for the 60-minute slot — use it to stretch Touch Rugby Plus if the session's running to time, or absorb it elsewhere if you're running late.
Continuous Bulldogs
Goal: develop footwork, evasion, tracking and spatial awareness before we flip these skills into defence.
20m × 20m area. Two defenders start in the middle, everyone else on the try line trying to cross without being tagged. Tagged players become defenders; continue until one attacker remains.
Coaching point: eyes up, attack the space, change pace, watch hips, stay balanced.
Movement channel
High knees, heel flicks, walking lunges, open gate, close gate, side shuffle, accelerations down a 15m channel. Tall posture, active arms, balance, quality movement.
Track & Tackle Progression
Goal: build tracking and defensive footwork, then move straight into a live tackle without resetting the drill.
10m × 5m channel, no reset between phases. Start as a tracking race: attacker starts with the ball, defender tracks, begin with touch. Once tracking looks sharp (roughly halfway), call "progress to tackle" and it becomes a live 1v1 contact channel: attacker tries to score, defender tracks and tackles, then rotate roles.
Coaching point: eyes on hips, stay square, small steps, same foot/same shoulder, tight wrap, drive legs. Watch for players watching shoulders instead of hips, or crossing their feet.
Contact Stations Swap
Goal: run the bag and shield work as two simultaneous stations instead of queuing through them one at a time. Split the squad in half, 4 minutes per station, then swap.
Station 1 — Tackle & Reload (bag): tackle the bag, release immediately, return to feet, sprint through a 5m reload gate. Station 2 — Dominant Contact Competition (shield, pairs): ball carrier drives the shield for five seconds, coach measures distance, then swap roles.
Coaching point: shoulder first, tight wrap, drive legs, fast reload (Station 1) — low body height, flat back, feet moving, drive through contact, not just leaning on the shield (Station 2).
4v4 Tackle Challenge
Goal: transfer today's tackle learning into a game.
25m × 20m pitch, two separate 4v4 games (one per age group). Attack: support the ball carrier, use space. Defence: track, tackle, reload, communicate.
Touch Rugby Plus
Standard touch rugby with bonus points for great tracking, communication, support and effort — split by age group as before. This is the flex block: if the session's on schedule, let it run the full 17 minutes using the buffer; if you're behind, 12 minutes is enough to send everyone off on a positive note.
Scoring
- Try = 5
- Dominant Tackle = 2
- Fast Reload = 1
- Communication = 1
Equipment checklist
- 30 cones
- 8–10 rugby balls
- 4 tackle shields
- 2 tackle bags
- Bibs, water, first aid kit