How to stop those tackles hurting as much?

Question

I have been playing for about 10 weeks, and am succeeding in making lots of hard tackles now, but I seem to hurt myself more than the opposition!! Especially my shoulders, and I was wondering what I am doing wrong - the other day my shoulder partially dislocated and I lost feeling in my hand. Ideally I would like for this to never happen again!

Answer 1

Do you have a coach or two?

The answers network is rarely a better bet than real coaching.

If you don't have a coach, get one. . . bad technique can kill you. (I'm not exaggerating)

If you do have a coach but they have no clue what they are doing, make a friendly suggestion to get some support from the club or Union to bring in some specialist coaching help for a few sessions.

Answer 2

Try to hit them in the guts and try not to get them on their bones as this can hurt you.

Answer 3

Hi Danni.

I know it is daunting to go into a tackle but if you pump the legs just before you go into the tackle and sprint you might get through. Try and ''BOSH'' your opponents. I mean put your body weight on your lower body and crouch down a little.

Hope you enjoy rugby

Answer 4

CCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDD

Answer 5

Sounds like you got a really bad stinger.  The youtube clip someone posted is pretty good.  The thing is that a tackle in rugby is more of a wrestling take down than a "hit" like in American football.  Just be sure to hit the ball carrier low (around the hips/waist) and wrap the legs.  If you are bringing down a huge prop, focus on wrapping one thigh and wrestling them down to the ground.  You can still make bone-jarring hits, but focus more on getting them on the deck, getting to your feet immediately, and trying to poach the ball.

In the offseason, work on strengthening all parts of your shoulders, upper back, neck and legs.

Answer 6

well i havent been in ruby for a long itme but i kinda had the same problem as you, thers a few ways you could solve this,1) you could buy a tight shirt with shoulder protection at worldrugby.com 2) when you tackle you are probally jumping at them for a while i'd say just wrap up not try to take them back jsut take them down there because thers so much field taking them back a few feet is not going to make a difference 3)aim for  there  stomach or sternum ( middle of the chest) best that isnt to hard for the shoulder.

hope it helps

Answer 7

when you tackle, try to hit right on the gut of the other person. Also make sure that you wrap around the body with your arms and either grab your hand or jersey/ short of the person. As you drive through with your shoulder, pull with your arms, and drive the person down into the ground. Big thing, try not to pull the other person down onto you, it hurts you more and gives them a cushion...

When I tackle, I also like to wrap around the person, grab on, and sortof roll them, like a crocodile rolls when they have prey. It makes it harder for them to pass to someone else when they are going down.

Hope this helps some...

Answer 8

Hello there. Yes, I have also got the same issue, the guy at the top is right, also see this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JbW8Ik8u...

Answer 9

My guess it that you are tackling more like an American footballer than a Rugby player but again that's just a guess. I totally agree with the person who said ask a coach as well as the person who said that it not a big deal to give up a few more yards.

In most positions on the field you can give up a few more yards and use the ball carriers own momentum to bring them to the ground. (of course not near your goal line).

Also, hard driving tackles may look spectacular but may not be to your advantage if you are driving a player back into his own support.

Good luck