Tackling and getting into a defensive line
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can tackle with confidence and work in defence to stop the attacking team from advancing.
Key learning points
- Move: a low and agile body position is assumed to make a well timed and safe tackle.
- Move: tracking the attacker’s hips helps maintain balance and stay in line for an effective tackle.
- Think: getting back onside after a tackle allows your team to stay organised and avoid giving away a penalty.
- Feel: confidence to make a safe tackle with either shoulder comes from repetition at increasing intensity.
- Connect: working in a flat line in defence enables a team to cover space and support each other when making tackles.
Keywords
Play the ball - the action where a tackled player rolls the ball backward with the foot to restart play
Try - when a player grounds the ball in the opponent's in-goal area, earning 4 points
Defensive line - the formation of defending players spread across the field to prevent the attacking team from advancing and scoring
Common misconception
Pupils forget that after making a tackle, they need to get back onside in a straight line.
Response: after a tackle, the whole defensive line need to be back onside 10m from the play of the ball. If you are not moving as a flat line, you leave gaps for attackers to break through.
Teacher tip
Contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training). There is the option to spend more time on any of these topics as appropriate in the context of your learners.
Equipment
30+ cones, balls (1 between 2), tackle bags (1 between 2), 6 sets of 7 bibs
Content guidance
Additional qualification required
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When tackling, what should you do with your arms?
Q2.Where should your head be in contact?
Q3.In Kī-o-Rahi, what is the name of the tub the Taniwha aim to hit to score?
Q4.How can you increase your confidence in making contact?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where should you aim to tackle your opponent?
Q2.What is it useful to watch to ensure your timing is correct for a successful tackle?
Q3.After your team has made a tackle, what should you do as a defensive team?
Q4.In rugby league, after an attacker has been tackled, what should they do?
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Tackling and getting into a defensive line, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 physical education lesson on: Tackling and getting into a defensive line, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 3 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: adapt tactics and strategies in contact sports unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.