Going into contact
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can tackle and form rucks and mauls safely
Key learning points
- Move: driving your body weight up and under an opponent forces them backwards, stopping their attacking momentum.
- Move: additional attackers and defenders at the breakdown enter from behind the backfoot of the last player and bind on.
- Think: joining a ruck or maul must be done from the back foot to be onside.
- Feel: confidence to initiate contact comes from repeated execution with the correct technique.
- Connect: supporting less confident classmates to execute successful tackles in practice conditions shows kindness.
Keywords
Smother tackle - a more upright tackle that wraps the player and ball to prevent an offload
Duck and clean - a player lowers their body to get underneath an opponent before driving them away to secure possession
Late tackle - a penalty offence for tackling a player who has already passed or kicked the ball
Common misconception
Pupils fail to fully commit to a tackle which allows players to break free and score.
Defenders must fully commit to tackle the ball carrier and keep hold until they are on the ground to avoid giving the opposition an overlap or charge through scoring opportunity.
Teacher tip
It may be beneficial to pair pupils in ability/confidence levels and in the game provide bibs for any pupil that may not wish to be tackled directly (a touch can be used). Contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training).
Equipment
30+ cones, balls (1 between 3), 12 tackle bags, 6 sets of 7 bibs
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a dummy pass?
Q2.How can you support the ball carrier?
Q3.When a player passes and then receives the ball on the other side of the ball handler, what is it called?
Q4.4. If a high tackle occurs, what happens next?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Why is it useful to duck and clean?
Q2.How should you go into a tackle?
Q3.A late tackle is when a player is tackled after they have done what?
Q4.Which direction should you aim to force the attacker in a smother tackle?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Going into contact, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Going into contact, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Non-examined assessment: rugby union practical unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.