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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 11

Forming a tackle triangle and getting onside in defence

I can form a tackle triangle at the breakdown and get onside in defence.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 11

Forming a tackle triangle and getting onside in defence

I can form a tackle triangle at the breakdown and get onside in defence.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: stepping quickly into a triangle with 2 other teammates after a tag/touch helps to slow down the attack.
  2. Move: moving quickly onside, behind the tackle triangle, stops gaps forming in the defensive line.
  3. Think: 2 defenders must place a hand on the tagger to set the offside line from the back foot of the triangle.
  4. Feel: feeling organised in defence builds confidence to press and stop forward momentum.
  5. Connect: communicating clearly in the tackle triangle lets the tagger know you are there to support them.

Keywords

  • Offside - if a player is in front of the last point of contact (the back foot of the tackle triangle)

  • Tackle triangle - a defensive shape formed around the ball carrier after they have been tagged by 3 defenders

  • Phase - a continuous sequence of play that starts after a player is tagged or touched, and continues until the ball is passed, dropped or the play is stopped (e.g. tagged)

Common misconception

Pupils think that just the tagger remains at the breakdown in T1 rugby.

After a tag/touch, 2 other defenders need to join the the tager to form a triangle at every breakdown.


To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: Forming a tackle triangle and getting onside in defence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If pupils are already fairly expeirenced with rugby, you may wish to incorporate some contact into the game to make a simplied version of full contact rugby.
Teacher tip

Equipment

30+ cones, 1 ball per 3 and 6 sets of 8 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.
When tagged, how does an attacker get the ball to a teammate?

pass it
Correct answer: it is ripped
kick it

Q2.
When can a player only take up to 3 steps in T1 rugby?

Correct answer: after the rip
when tagging
at all times

Q3.
Which direction is the ball passed in T1?

forwards
Correct answer: backwards
any direction

Q4.
What should you use to rip the ball?

1 hand
1 foot
Correct answer: 2 hands

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How many phases do attackers have to score a try?

4
Correct answer: 7
10

Q2.
After a defender tags/touches the ball carrier, 2 other defenders have to connect with them to form what shape?

V shape
Correct answer: triangle
Y shape

Q3.
What do you need to position yourself behind in defence to prevent being offside?

the attackers
Correct answer: the tackle triangle
the tryline

Q4.
Why is it beneficial to get back onside quickly in defence?

creates less space
Correct answer: prevents gaps
intimidates the opposition