New
New
Lesson 2 of 6
  • Year 9

Tackling and getting into a defensive line

I can tackle with confidence and work in defence to stop the attacking team from advancing.

Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
  • Year 9

Tackling and getting into a defensive line

I can tackle with confidence and work in defence to stop the attacking team from advancing.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: a low and agile body position is assumed to make a well timed and safe tackle.
  2. Move: tracking the attacker’s hips helps maintain balance and stay in line for an effective tackle.
  3. Think: getting back onside after a tackle allows your team to stay organised and avoid giving away a penalty.
  4. Feel: confidence to make a safe tackle with either shoulder comes from repetition at increasing intensity.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

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.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
When tackling, what should you do with your arms?

open them wide
Correct answer: wrap around legs
tuck arms in

Q2.
Where should your head be in contact?

in front
Correct answer: to the side
behind

Q3.
In Kī-o-Rahi, what is the name of the tub the Taniwha aim to hit to score?

Te Au
Te Roto
Correct answer: Tupu

Q4.
How can you increase your confidence in making contact?

Correct answer: practice more often
avoid doing it
play touch rugby

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where should you aim to tackle your opponent?

Correct answer: lower legs
upper legs
chest

Q2.
What is it useful to watch to ensure your timing is correct for a successful tackle?

the ball
opponent's head
Correct answer: opponent's hips

Q3.
After your team has made a tackle, what should you do as a defensive team?

Correct answer: make a flat line
charge at attack
make a scrum

Q4.
In rugby league, after an attacker has been tackled, what should they do?

it's a turnover
Correct answer: play the ball
maul with teammates