RUGBY STYLE TACKLING

John Robinette
robineja@pwcs.edu
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Background:
Played High School Football Potomac HS (VA)
State Finalists
Va Tech Rugby
Mid Atlantic Finalists 2 Years/ national Tournament Qualifier/ All Mid Atlantic
Life College Atlanta Ga
National Playoffs: Final 4
All South Selection/ US National Team Prospects Camp
Cape Town Villagers - Cape Town South Africa
Villagers Club 29-1, 2nd Division National Runner Up
NOVA Rugby
Sweet 16 Mens Finalists/ MidAtlantic Select Side 2 years
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Background:
Hyde Leadership Public Charter School
Rugby Coach
National Playoff Qualifier/ Ranked 15th nationally (15s)
7s National Champions/ Runner Up National Championship (CRC)
Football Coach CAFC Champions
Freedom High School
Asst Coach/Head Coach
Mountain View High School
OC 4 Years/ DC 2 Years
Forest Park High School
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Football: Rugby
Must Stop Under 10 yards: every No 1st downs: Possession not yards
yard matters are paramount
Play begins and ends Continuous Play: Premium on
No Rule to Wrap Up tackles and back on feet
Must Wrap Up: No Shoulder
Charge
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Teaching Tackling:
Old School Football:
Head Across the Front/ Face Mask on the Ball/ Drive Through and Punish
Rugby Tackling:
Head Out of Tackle: Cheek to Cheek/ Heavy Wrap/ To the Ground/ All about
First Time Tackling and Getting Off the Ground
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills:
2 Knees:
Player 1 on Knees/Player 2 Directly in Front
Player 2 (Runner) Moves Right and Tackler (Player 1) Hard Wrap and Take
Down
Next Time Runner Moves Left
Points Of Emphasis:
Head Up: See What you Hit
Head Goes to Side (Cheek to Cheek)
Heavy Hard Wrap at Thighs
To the Ground Finish Tackle Feel Need to Keep Wrap Heavy
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1etzT-Cgho
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills:
1 Knee:
Very Similar to Last Drill: Except now Tackler Performs from One Knee Down
Runner Moves Direction of Knee that is Up (Near Leg/Near Hip)
Tackler Wraps and Comes off Knee and Finishes Tackle to Ground
Points Of Emphasis:
Head Up: See What you Hit
Head Goes to Side (Cheek to Cheek)
Heavy Hard Wrap at Thighs
To the Ground Finish Tackle Feel Need to Keep Wrap Heavy
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUNOEb0sg4I
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills:
0 Step Drill
Player 1 Positioned to Tackle Player 2 (Player 2 Angled Right/Left)
Fit Position:
Low Solid Platform/Head Up
Near Leg to Near Hip/ Arms Ready for Wrap
Head to Backside
On Go:
Heavy Strike/Wrap
Squeeze and Pull
Can Drive for 5 (Dont Lose Wrap)
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills:
1 Step Drill:
Tackler Left Foot Forward facing Runner Moving to Tacklers Right
Strong Tackle Position/ Low Body Head Up Arms Loose for Strike
On Go:
Runner Moves and Tackler Strikes:
Heavy Strike/Wrap
Squeeze and Pull
Can Drive for 5 (Dont Lose Wrap
Repeat other Direction
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills:
Mirror/Stalk Drill:
Runner 5 Yards Away Running Parallel and Slightly in Front of Tackler
On Go:
Runner Begins at Half Pace and at Some Points Moves Forward
Tackler Stays Slightly Behind and Moves with Runner When Runner makes
Forward Move:
Tackler Moves to Position to Strong Tackling Position and Slaps Off (2 Hands)
Not Full tilt not to ground
Emphasis Body Position Head Position (Eyes Up/Head Out) Near Foot Near Hip
Can Change Tempo of Runner
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1etzT-Cgho
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills:
Box Angle Tackling
Tackler Positioned On Starting Cone/ Runner on Opposite Cone
You can make this as live as you want, Based on distance
Tackler Already Knows Direction of Runner
On Go:
Runner moves at angle and Tackler performs good Tackle:
Eyes Up Head Out/Good Low Body Position
Near Leg to Near Hip
Strike and Heavy Wrap
Squeeze and Pull
Can Drive for 5
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING
Drills
Open Field Box Tackle (Live as you want it)
Tackler and Runner at Cone
On Go:
Each Move Around Opposite Cone
Ball carrier Makes ONE Move and Tackler Performs Tackle
Eyes Up Head Out/Good Low Body Position
Near Leg to Near Hip
Strike and Heavy Wrap
Squeeze and Pull
Can Drive for 5
 RUGBY STYLE TACKLING

John Robinette
robineja@pwcs.edu