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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 8

Tackling and contact in rugby

I can replicate the correct safe tackling technique.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Tackling and contact in rugby

I can replicate the correct safe tackling technique.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: a safe tackle is made by hitting the ball carrier low, with your head to the side of their body and wrapping arms.
  2. Move: keeping arms wrapped until the ball carrier is secured on the ground, before releasing, prevents a missed tackle.
  3. Think: if your head is in front of the ball carrier there is a high risk of injury.
  4. Feel: playing with different people can increase experience at responding to how attackers try to evade space.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Tackling and contact in rugby, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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).
Teacher tip

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

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.
Which is a type of kick in rugby?

line-out
rainbow flick
Correct answer: grubber

Q2.
Where should you make contact with the ball when kicking?

side of boot
toe of boot
Correct answer: boot laces

Q3.
Who is the only person allowed to be tackled?

winger
Correct answer: the ball carrier
prop

Q4.
A high tackle is a tackle above which of these body parts?

chin
Correct answer: shoulders
hips

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which part of the body should you aim to tackle?

shoulders
hips
Correct answer: lower leg

Q2.
What is it called if a tackle is above the shoulders?

knock-on
Correct answer: high tackle
up tackle

Q3.
When you make a tackle, where should your head be in relation to the person you are tackling?

front
Correct answer: side
behind

Q4.
How can you prevent the opposition moving their legs when being tackled?

Correct Answer: wrap your arms