How to make a Good Clean Tackle in Rugby?

Question

It is my second year playing and last year i had trouble tackling so i was wondering if anyone could give me tips or pointers...I play Wing

Answer 1

Go down low and tackle at an angle upwards making contact with the waist.  Make this tackle powerfully and full-on, and if done correctly it will usually be enough to stop a much bigger opponent who's running at pace.  If you don't floor them it's always worth trying to grab one of their legs and then pushing them over :)

Answer 2

Don't listen to all of these idiots who say hit above the waist.  Believe me if you have trouble doing basic tackles then you'd probably only kill yourself or continuely knock yourself out.  Being able to spot tackle or drive into a tackle around the mid area takes alot of techniqe, you must have the basic understanding of being able to tackle (and without offense it sounds like you can't at the moment).  For yourself you just want to concentrate of tackling low.  From the side you want to drive in low on the hamstring area and slide down to the ankles and front on (especially if they are bigger) tackle the ankles, if they are bigger then you practice tackling low and letting them fall over you, this way you will using there own body weight against themselves.  Remember in any tackle that you make to always get you head to the side  of the player first so you don't injure yourself.  Remember without there legs people can't run.

Answer 3

stick to the basic low tackles around the legs  come in from the side hit with the shoulder wrap with arms and drive as you grow in confidence you can  start toput shots  on players  just  pick the right moment time your hit right and just launch

Answer 4

Hitting below the knees and wrapping your arms around your opponent will always bring him down,no matter how big he is.Keep your head down and drive with your legs until he hits the ground.Hitting above the waist,will certainly allow him the chance to shag you off.Make your leather crack.

Answer 5

Aim for the belt buckle (or just a bit lower...)....they can't fake you out if you look there

Answer 6

Im the brick craphouse in my schools team - my advice is to shoulder into lower waist. not into the privates, but just above. this makes it very hard for the opponent to move., and more than likely maing them pass the ball, leaving it very open.

plus it works great in a scrum too.

Answer 7

Speedy eh? good stuff

Most of the time you will have to make a tackle without enough time to set up for the big hit. Generally you want to aim low for a few good reasons. One, if a player is commin at you with their shoulder, do you really want to put your face in the path of the shoulder? i wouldnt haha. Aim lower and their momentum will help alot to bring them down. Two, if they attempt to hand off (stiff arm), again, it makes sense to go low (or if you want some fun, grab their arm and teach them to never sitff arm you). Three, there is so much more damage that can bedone at the waist and below - momentum will carry them over you, youve got two legs to grab, two feet incase they get too far away for a full tackle, going low and pushing up can knock the ball out, and of course, throw a friendly shoulder where it hurts :-D.

The concept is not only to get low, but to position your head correctly. when you tackle, your shoulder should hit your target, and your head behind the player. This is sometimes referred to as "cheek to cheek", face cheek to butt cheek. It provides good position and your head is safe from being smashed into the ground. Now, this wont always be perfect because some situations are hastey, but its defeinately worth trying to do.

Follow through! when you make contact, that aint a tackle yet. Wrap him up!  Drive your legs! Keep pushing at full steam until he is down. Not only will this provide enough power to bring him down, but many times full steam will take the guy off his feet. cool eh?

And you are a wing, so your speed will somewhat compensate if you are against a forward or something.

Though, heres a nother thing. If you get into a tackle and you realize you arent gonna bring him down with sheer strength, just wrap your arms around his waist area and let your arms slide down his legs while trying to clamp them together. Being a 126lb scrumhalf, I have found use in this method when the flanker or no8 comes my way. And It only failed once, cause I wasnt paying attention and was late of the tackle :P  

And hey, aside from all this technique stuff, a huge factor is your attitude. You're a wing. You're the fastest. Your position has the leading amount of tries in the world. So, you are the best and no one will stop you. No fear mate!

Good luck!!