The best examples of examples of tackling techniques and drills for modern rugby

Real examples of tackling techniques and drills coaches actually use

Let’s start where coaches care most: real examples of tackling techniques and drills that work on a muddy Tuesday night with 20 tired players and 60 minutes of field time.

Modern rugby tackling has shifted toward safer, lower, shoulder-led contact that protects the head while still stopping ball carriers dead. Governing bodies like World Rugby have updated law trials and coaching resources to reduce head contact and concussion risk, which means your drills need to match that direction.

Here are some of the best examples of how coaches are teaching it now.

Examples of body-position tackling techniques: from stance to finish

Before you design drills, you need a clear picture of the technical model you’re teaching. The best examples of examples of tackling techniques and drills all start from the same building blocks:

1. Tackle stance and tracking angle

Think of this as the defender’s home base.

The defender starts in a low, athletic stance:

• Feet just wider than shoulder-width
• Knees bent, hips back, chest up
• Eyes on the ball carrier’s core (not the feet)
• Hands active, ready to grab

A simple “mirror and shuffle” drill is a classic example of a tackling technique builder. Two players face each other in a 5-yard channel. The attacker moves side to side at half speed; the defender shuffles, keeping hips square and maintaining distance, never crossing their feet. There’s no contact at first—just learning to track.

Coaches love this because it builds the habit of staying square and balanced before the hit. It’s also a safe warm-up for youth players and a go-to drill at every level.

2. Shoulder contact and head placement

The modern emphasis is clear: head out of the contact, shoulder through the target.

A simple “kneeling shoulder hit” drill is a great example of how to isolate this:

• Both players kneel on one knee, side by side, facing opposite directions.
• The defender wraps and drives the shoulder into a tackle pad or partner’s hip (controlled), with the head behind or to the side, never in front.
• Short, sharp reps: 3–4 seconds of effort, then reset.

This keeps things slow and controlled while reinforcing the habit of safe head position, which is heavily promoted in current concussion-prevention guidance from organizations like the CDC HEADS UP program.

3. Leg drive and finish

Once contact is made, the defender needs to run their legs and finish on top or in a dominant position.

A popular example of a finishing drill is the “drive and roll” tackle finish:

• Start with attacker and defender chest-to-chest, both standing.
• On the whistle, the defender steps in, clamps the legs or hips, and drives for 2–3 steps.
• Then the defender rotates their body to land on top or side, keeping the attacker controlled on the ground.

This is one of the best examples of a drill that connects technique to game-like outcomes: not just hitting, but ending in a strong position for a jackal or quick line reset.

Game-speed examples of tackling techniques and drills for different age groups

Coaching a 10-year-old and coaching a 25-year-old semi-pro back-rower are not the same job. The best examples of examples of tackling techniques and drills are age-appropriate and respect contact load.

Youth rugby: confidence first, contact second

For younger players, especially in the U10–U14 range, the emphasis is on confidence, safe habits, and controlled contact.

A favorite example of a youth-friendly drill is the “tackle the bag and bounce up” circuit:

• Players form a line, each taking turns tackling a held pad at low speed.
• Focus: eyes up, same-foot same-shoulder step, wrap the arms, and quick bounce to feet.
• Immediately after the tackle, the player gets up and sprints 5 yards.

This drill keeps contact short, predictable, and safe, while building the routine of getting back into play. It pairs well with evidence-based recommendations to manage contact volume in youth sports to reduce overuse injuries and head impacts, reflected in guidance from sources like Mayo Clinic.

Another youth example: “shark and minnows” with touch-to-wrap. Defenders must tag and then simulate a wrap (no full hit) before the attacker stops. This builds tracking and correct shoulder alignment without full collisions.

High school and club: live contact with smart progressions

At the high school and adult club level, you’re looking for more live contact, but still with smart control.

A strong example of a progression is the “half-field channel tackle”:

• Mark a 10-yard wide channel with cones.
• One attacker runs from one end; one defender starts in the middle.
• The attacker chooses a line; the defender must track, close space, and execute a low, safe tackle.
• Start at 50–60% speed and build toward game pace.

This drill is one of the best examples of how to blend decision-making, angle, and technique without chaos. It’s also easy to scale: add a support runner, or require the defender to pop back up and join a second phase.

Examples of system-based tackling drills: line integrity and communication

Tackling isn’t just about one player; it’s about how the defensive line moves and hits together.

Edge and inside support: “two-on-one live”

A classic example of a system drill is the two-on-one with live tackle:

• Set up one attacker with the ball, one support runner outside, and two defenders (inside and outside).
• The inside defender must close space and make a dominant tackle; the outside defender tracks the support and covers the pass.

This drill gives real examples of how players must talk, adjust, and trust the system. The tackle itself is important, but so is the spacing: if the inside defender over-chases, the pass beats them; if they sit too deep, the attacker wins the collision.

Line speed and multiple tackles: “wave defense”

The wave defense drill is another example of examples of tackling techniques and drills that build line discipline:

• A group of defenders forms a flat line on the 22.
• Attackers (3–5 players) jog toward them with the ball, then accelerate on a whistle.
• Defenders move up together, make 1–2 live tackles, then reset to the line.

The focus here is:

• Staying connected shoulder-to-shoulder
• Keeping line speed consistent
• Making controlled, technically sound tackles even when tired

This type of drill matches the trend in elite rugby of short, intense defensive blocks rather than endless full-contact scrimmaging, in line with modern thinking on contact load management.

Contact-load-aware examples of tackling techniques and drills (2024–2025 trends)

One of the biggest changes in recent years is how coaches manage contact volume and intensity.

Sports medicine and concussion research—summarized by organizations like the NIH—has pushed coaches to be more intentional about how often players take full-speed hits. The best examples of tackling techniques and drills in 2024–2025 reflect that.

More “fit, then hit” structure

Instead of 30 minutes of random full-contact, coaches now:

• Start with technical, low-impact drills (stance, tracking, wrap on bags)
• Progress to controlled contact (1v1 in a channel, 2v2 pods)
• Finish with short bursts of live tackling in game-like scenarios

An example of a modern session block:

• 5–8 minutes: mirror and shuffle, tracking only
• 10 minutes: shoulder contact on pads, finish to ground (no live ball carrier yet)
• 10 minutes: 1v1 channel tackles at 70–80% speed
• 5–8 minutes: small-sided live-contact game (e.g., 4v4 in a 20x20 box)

These are real examples of how coaches keep the teaching quality high while limiting the number of big collisions.

Small-sided games as tackling labs

Another 2024–2025 trend: using small-sided games as live tackling labs.

A great example is the “20x20 yard contact box”:

• Two teams of 4–6 players play touch-to-tackle rugby inside a 20x20 yard grid.
• First contact must be a technically correct tackle: low, shoulder-led, head to the side.
• Any high or unsafe tackle results in a turnover.

This gives endless real examples of tackle situations in a tight, controlled space where coaches can stop, correct, and restart. It’s one of the best examples of a drill that feels like a game, teaches real decision-making, and still allows close supervision of technique.

Position-specific examples of tackling techniques and drills

Different positions face different tackle pictures. A prop’s tackle in tight is not the same as a fullback’s open-field stop.

For forwards: short-range collision and dominance

Forwards need examples of drills that simulate close-quarters contact around the ruck and in tight channels.

One strong example is the “two-meter chop and jackal” drill:

• Attacker starts with the ball, two meters from the defender.
• On the whistle, the attacker steps forward; the defender executes a low, leg-focused tackle.
• Immediately after, a second defender arrives to contest the ball (jackal), while a support attacker clears.

This drill gives forwards real examples of the full contact chain: tackle, arrive, clear or steal.

For backs: open-field tracking and last-ditch tackles

Backs, especially wings and fullbacks, need examples of tackling techniques and drills that mimic space, speed, and isolation.

A go-to is the “15-yard open-field 1v1”:

• Attacker and defender start 15 yards apart.
• Attacker has freedom to step, swerve, or kick.
• Defender must manage space, slow the attacker, and make a safe tackle.

Coaches often constrain this drill—limiting the attacker to one change of direction, for example—to focus on tracking and angle rather than pure athleticism.

Practical examples of planning a tackling-focused practice

To pull all of this together, it helps to see examples of how a full session might look.

Sample 60-minute tackling session

Here’s an example of a realistic, contact-aware practice for a high school or club team:

Warm-up (10 minutes)

• Dynamic movement (high knees, lunges, hip openers)
• Mirror and shuffle tracking, no contact

Technical block (15 minutes)

• Kneeling shoulder hits on pads, focusing on head position
• Drive and roll tackle finishes on a bag

Controlled contact (20 minutes)

• 1v1 channel tackles at 60–80% speed
• Two-on-one live drill with edge defense focus

Game-like block (10 minutes)

• 4v4 contact box, touch-to-tackle rules

Cool-down and review (5 minutes)

• Light jogging and stretching
• Short group review: players share one example of a good tackle they made or saw

This kind of session gives real examples of how to layer technique, contact, and decision-making without overloading players.

FAQ: common questions about tackling drills

What are some good examples of beginner tackling drills?

For brand-new or nervous players, good examples include mirror-and-shuffle tracking (no contact), kneeling shoulder hits on a pad, and slow-motion wrap-and-roll tackles on a stationary partner or bag. These give players a safe space to learn body position before full-speed hits.

Can you give an example of a safe youth tackling progression?

One example of a youth progression is: start with tracking and touch, move to tackling pads at walking pace, then to 1v1 tackles in a narrow channel at half speed, and only then add game-like small-sided contact. Each step adds a bit more speed or chaos while keeping technique and safety as the priority.

How often should teams run tackling drills in a week?

Most teams are better off with short, frequent tackling blocks—10–20 minutes, two or three times a week—rather than one long, high-contact session. That approach matches current thinking on reducing repetitive head impacts while still maintaining skill levels, as supported by resources like CDC HEADS UP.

What are examples of common tackling mistakes to watch for?

Common errors include dropping the head and looking at the ground, reaching with the arms instead of stepping in with the shoulder, stopping leg drive on contact, and tackling too high. Building drills that slow the movement down—like kneeling hits or controlled 1v1 channels—gives you clear examples of each mistake so you can correct them early.

Where can I learn more about safe tackling and head injury prevention?

For broader health and safety information, look at the CDC for concussion education, the NIH for traumatic brain injury resources, and organizations like Mayo Clinic for medical overviews of concussion symptoms and recovery. Combine those with your national rugby governing body’s coaching materials for the most up-to-date tackling guidelines.