Positioning Stage
This progression involves players being up on their feet.
It's important to work on feet speed and positioning so that players are balanced before they go in for the crucial part of the tackle.
To get into the correct position to make an effective tackle the tackler needs to "keep feet alive" and ideally, position the tackling foot close to the ball-carrier as they move the head in to the correct position and drive in with the shoulder. The right foot/right shoulder or left foot/ left shoulder technique is the strongest and best for thrusting the arms through after the shoulder contact.
HOP TO IT!
OBJECTIVE To get the "feet alive".
EQUIPMENT 4 Cones 
GROUP SIZE Any number with 4 cones each
AREA Small
ACTIVITY SET-UP
- 4 cones ½ metre apart.
- Player faces side onto line of 4 cones.
ACTIVITY EXPLANATION
Player hops over first cones, then back to start on other foot. Player then hops over 2 cones and back. Continue with 3, then 4 hops.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Small and fast hops.
- Hands in tackle position – elbows in.
VARIATION / PROGRESSION
- Change foot to hop on.
- Widen area.
IN AND OUT!
OBJECTIVE To get the "feet alive".
EQUIPMENT 4 Cones
GROUP SIZE Any number with 4 cones each
AREA Small
ACTIVITY SET-UP
- 4 cones ½ metre apart.
- Player faces side onto line of 4 cones.
ACTIVITY EXPLANATION
Player starts side on to line of cones and on “go”, runs forward through first gap, backwards through next gap, forwards, backwards around last cone – then comes back doing the same.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Small and fast hops.
- Hands in tackle position – elbows in.
VARIATION / PROGRESSION
- Sprints away after returning to start position.
- More cones.
FOOT EACH SIDE
OBJECTIVE To get the "feet alive".
EQUIPMENT 4 Cones
GROUP SIZE Any number with 4 cones each
AREA Small
ACTIVITY SET-UP
- 4 cones ½ or 1 metre apart.
- Player faces side of 4 cones with a foot either side of cones.
ACTIVITY EXPLANATION
On “go”, player runs forward with feet about shoulder width apart using small feet and arms pumping. At last cones they sprint away for about 5 metres.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Small and fast steps, arms pumping.
- Keep low until last cone and explode out.
VARIATION / PROGRESSION
- Forward to 1st cone, then run backwards, then to 2nd cone, backwards, etc.
- More cones.
SIDE TO SIDE!
OBJECTIVE To get the "feet alive".
EQUIPMENT 4 rows of 4 cones
GROUP SIZE Any number with 4 cones each
AREA Small
ACTIVITY SET-UP
- 4 cones ½ metre apart x4.
- Player faces side on behind 4 cones.
ACTIVITY EXPLANATION
On “go”, player runs sideways using small feet, hands in tackle position – elbows in. At last cone they move up a row and go back in the other direction. REPEAT.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Small and fast steps.
- Keep low until last series then explode out for 5 metres.
VARIATION / PROGRESSION
- Run forward through gap, then run backwards, then forward, backwards, etc.
GO DANCE GO!
OBJECTIVE To get into the correct position to make an effective tackle.
EQUIPMENT 
Cones
GROUP SIZE Any number with 4 cones each
AREA Small
ACTIVITY SET-UP
Tacklers (B) stand in a line facing ball-carriers (A) one metre from the cone.
ACTIVITY EXPLANATION
- On coach’s call, tacklers (B) move feet quickly (hustle with small quick steps) and ball-carriers (A) walk quickly to the left or right of the cone.
- The Tackler moves forward in a crouch using the small, quick steps and takes a larger step close to the ball-carrier with lead foot. As they do this the head moves to the correct side which would take it to the backside of the attacker if a full tackle was to be made. The defender then touches them with two hands on the waist and pushes them back.
- Go-Dance-Go implies the following:
- move forward;
- get in to balance with ‘feet alive’;
- drive in for the tackle.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Small and fast steps.
- Hands in a catching position – elbows in.
- Good tackle stance.
- Head to side.
- Step close with lead foot.
VARIATION / PROGRESSION
- Increase speed of ball carrier.
- Widen gap of pairs (should be no more than 2m from cone).
- As you speed up, work on making shoulder contact and wrapping of the arms. The back must be straight and strong on the hit.
- Give ball to ball-carrier.
- Build up to the full tackle.
MIRROR
OBJECTIVE To get into the correct position to make an effective tackle.
EQUIPMENT 2 square grids 
GROUP SIZE Any number with 8 cones each
AREA Small
ACTIVITY SET-UP
- Players get in pairs.
- In a small area with a line down the middle of the pair.
ACTIVITY EXPLANATION
An attacker with the ball moves around their own defined area – the defender must mirror the attacker.
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Small and fast steps.
- Hands in tackle position – elbows in.
VARIATION/PROGRESSION
- Increase speed of ball-carrier.
- Widen area.