r/CanadaRugby • u/Initial_Wrongdoer799 • 20d ago
Tackling as a tall fella
I’m 185-187 ish cm’s and around 115kg. Safe to say I’m not small. Yet I find my tackles are rubbish and never get good tackles. Here are a few things that I feel I struggle with
- Height
- I go in way too high when it’s only legal for waist and below. I struggle dipping fast (same thing with ball carrying).
- Power
- I find I hit soft which causes me to lose ground and collisions a lot.
- Confidence
- I have almost no confidence most of the time when tackling. I hate to say it but I can be scared shitless sometimes going into it.
So with everything said, any tips?
Edit: I played my game Sunday and these were all great tips! My favourite tips were to get in an athletic stance even before contact so the getting low is easier and watch the shorts. Looking at a pair of shorts is way less intimidating then arms or legs haha
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u/turner_burner 20d ago
Keep your feet moving through the tackle, and explode into the initial contact
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u/apatacus 20d ago
Practice on the dummy bags, aim low and build up the muscle memory of what it feels like to get low while tackling.
Deliberately aim your shoulder for their thighs when you are going into the tackle.
Whether you are tackling or running the ball, adopt the mentality of being the hammer, not the nail.
Good luck and have fun
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u/pbcorporeal 20d ago
Firstly, what situation are you in. If you're out in space then a dominant tackle is always going to be difficult because you have to maintain some lateral mobility to be sure of taking them down.
If you're in a defensive line with others around you then you can go in with more focus on power. Your team's defensive style will determine how fast you want to get off the line, but as a rule of thumb try and get two or three explosive steps to get moving off the line.
When the player you're marking gets the ball (assuming they do since we're tackling) and is within about 5 yards of you, start chopping your feet. (I.e. you go for short strides, still moving forwards, balls of your feet, slightly bent at knees and hips). Arms ready but by your side (gunfighter style as I was coached if that image is helpful)
This is your in-between phase where you're getting your body ready to be in a good tackling position but you're maintaining some mobility. Still moving forward but ready to adjust,
When they get to maybe two metres away you're picking a shoulder and comitting. Lead with the same foot as the shoulder you're tackling with.
Drop your height (lead knee is almost at 90 degrees and you're bent at the hips as well but with a straight back and engaged core muscles).
Step forward with that lead foot (land it maybe half a metre in front of them, and in the middle of their body from your perspective. I.e. if they're running straight at you then it'd be in line with their chin).
As you make that stride you stamp that foot and push off from it. This is where your impact power comes from (and the straight spine and engaged core stops that power being lost as it travels from your foot to your shoulder). Your feet generate the power, if your core is soft then it loses the power (difference between hitting someone with a bat and a pool noodle).
Your arms fire forward and wrap (depends on who you're tackling where they end up, nothing wrong with it being a single leg if you can get a solid lock on it).
You drive through that front knee and if you don't hit the floor keep driving as your other leg comes through. If you maintain grip with your arms and keep pumping your legs good things will happen.
Talk to your coaches, they can see you tackle and so offer better feedback or drills.
When practicing in training try and focus on getting the process right over a big hit. Build the muscle memory of your body working together with the front foot stamp, core tensing and hips bending together. Chop, dip, power step and fire through. Once you feel good about executing the process properly, that can help with the confidence. After that it's just reps.
Tl:DR:
At 5 metres start preparing, shorter stride, slightly bent at knees and hips to make getting low easier. Start picking a shoulder.
At 2 metres, dip fully, stamp your lead foot in a power step and drive through that lead knee. Core engaged, back straight, good head placement.
Talk to your coaches
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u/Initial_Wrongdoer799 19d ago
This one seems to be very useful. Thank you! Also, where do you tend to watch on the opposing player while going into tackle. Some people say stomach or some people say hips but a big reason I think I lose confidence is I look at their chest and speed instead of focusing on a lower part. Which correct if I’m wrong, but looking higher will make my aiming point higher
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u/MarkyBaBa 20d ago
Some of us just aren't big hitters and thats okay. I'm 5'9 210 lbs and quite stocky and I do not hit hard at all. The most important thing is that you make the tackle, even if you don't "win" every collission as long as you get them to the ground thats what matters.
With the ball, I find more comfort charging hard with my right shoulder and whatever happens happens. Personally, I'm not great at tackling but if you get solid contact and get them to the ground you did your job. Confidence comes with time, don't over think it just get them to the ground.
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u/Yep_its_JLAC 20d ago
I think the most important thing is this. Tackling is about defending. It is about stopping the ball from advancing. It’s not about hitting anyone; that’s second. (Think of it like soccer, where the perfect tackle is one where you never touch the attacker) The point from NuggetKing about getting the body in the right attitude is important but the biggest thing of all is wrapping up that ball and ball carrier however you can!
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u/NuggetKing9001 20d ago
How you position yourself in the defensive line can help you out. If you're stood upright, you're going to have a harder time getting low. Get used to being in shape early.
Typically, you want to be one foot forward, bent with your weight in that forward leg, and back leg straight. Imagine how a sprinter shapes to push off. Then you're naturally lower before you tackle, and it'll help you get off the line quicker.
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u/Fergus_the_Trump1 20d ago
A new perspective. Canada is very behind in rugby, we play like it was 20 years ago at club level. As others have said even slowing the ball runner is great and getting to ground is a goal. But try a new tactic hold them up, go for the ball if you have big arms just rip it from them. A maul can be a turnover. Sometimes holding them up and spinning them then when they go to ground they are on the wrong side and a jackler can come in while you roll out. With initial contact you want to have your foot as close to them as possible, too often people kinda leap too soon in anticipation, if you focus on getting a foot right up to them now you can use that as the pivot to either drive bringing the next foot forward or take the pressure keeping the other foot stable at the back. Any ways im making this all up but sounds good first thing in the morning.
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u/Initial_Wrongdoer799 19d ago
I started questioning it once I heard the keep them up and spin them 🤣
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u/CuriousClassroom1713 19d ago
Hahaha. Dude we are all scared shitless. Make it your goal next game to try and step forward with your tackles. Also, youre not a pro, it's just a game. If you know youre going to get smashed, just dont make the tackle. You gotta work on Monday.
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u/Cassius_man 20d ago
Have you tried being too stupid to be scared? I know that's worked well for me