Tackling and contact in rugby
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can replicate the correct safe tackling technique.
Key learning points
- Move: a safe tackle is made by hitting the ball carrier low, with your head to the side of their body and wrapping arms.
- Move: keeping arms wrapped until the ball carrier is secured on the ground, before releasing, prevents a missed tackle.
- Think: if your head is in front of the ball carrier there is a high risk of injury.
- Feel: playing with different people can increase experience at responding to how attackers try to evade space.
- Connect: adjusting the intensity applied to a tackle helps build confidence in less experienced/smaller players.
Keywords
Tackle - a defender brings the ball carrier down to the ground
Confidence - the degree to which a performer believes they have the ability to perform and complete tasks with success
High tackle - a tackle above the line of the shoulders is considered dangerous play and results in a penalty and possible yellow or red card
Common misconception
Pupil think that if they go in to tackle at the legs they will get kicked in the face.
If you tackle low, with your head to the side and wrap their legs with your arms, they’ll go down safely and you won’t get kicked.
Teacher tip
It may be beneficial to group pupils by confidence/ experience levels for each of the practices so pupils feel confident with who they are tackling. Remember, contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training).
Equipment
30 balls, 30 + cones, 15 tackle bags (optional), 6 sets of 6 bibs.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which is a type of kick in rugby?
Q2.Where should you make contact with the ball when kicking?
Q3.Who is the only person allowed to be tackled?
Q4.A high tackle is a tackle above which of these body parts?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which part of the body should you aim to tackle?
Q2.What is it called if a tackle is above the shoulders?
Q3.When you make a tackle, where should your head be in relation to the person you are tackling?
Q4.How can you prevent the opposition moving their legs when being tackled?
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Tackling and contact in rugby, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 physical education lesson on: Tackling and contact in rugby, 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: tactics and strategies to outwit through rugby unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.