# Tackling Technique · Rugby Level 2: Elementary

Rugby · Level 2: Elementary · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/level-2/tackling-technique/)

How tackles are made safely: front-on and from behind, the smother and the chop, body height and the tackle zone, wrap and drive, release, readiness, the double tackle and tackle drills.

## Test 1: The front-on tackle

- The head goes to the side, never in front of the knees. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short steps keep balance and power. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Dropping the weight finishes the tackle. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- It meets the carrier head-on. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Low height keeps heads clear and gives power. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Wrapping holds the legs together. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Seeing the target keeps the head safe. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Steps, height, head and shoulder, finish. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lower targets are safer. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Meeting the carrier face to face. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 2: The tackle from behind

- A low hold brings the carrier down safely. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Legs locked, the carrier falls. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Landing on a back can drive the head down. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A last-ditch trip from behind. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A dive at the ankle can still bring a runner down. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cover tackles save scores. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Cover defenders chase back. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Chase, target, slide, finish. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The tap is the last resort. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Tripping the ankle from behind. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 3: The smother tackle

- Smothering stops the offload. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Arms trapped, the ball cannot be passed. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Holding the carrier up can win the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- High enough for the ball, below the neck. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Teamwork makes the smother work. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Upper-body tackles must stay below the neck. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Smothers kill offloading attacks. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Square, wrap, hold up, drive. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The higher the wrap, the less chance of an offload. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Trapping the ball prevents the offload. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 4: The chop tackle

- Chopping takes the legs away. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Taking the legs stops a heavy runner. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Chop and jackal is a common pairing. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- No wrestling, just legs. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- In front of the knees risks a knee to the head. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A tackler on the floor is out of the game. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A chop must be low to work. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Low, chop, ground, contest. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Chop low, smother high. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Low and around the legs. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 5: Body height and the tackle zone

- Aiming low keeps heads apart. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A flat back and raised head protect the spine. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- It keeps the head behind the carrier. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Knees bent keeps the head safe and the body stable. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Most head injuries come from high contact. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- The shoulder makes contact, never the head. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Shoulder contact, head to the side. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Knees bent and head up is safest. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Feet, height, head, arms. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Height and head position keep tackles safe. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 6: Wrap and drive

- Wrapping holds the carrier. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Arms must wrap. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Driving pushes the carrier back. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Going back hands the defence momentum. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- It stops and reverses the carrier. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Legs together, the carrier falls. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Release lets the contest continue. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Contact, wrap, drive, release. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Driving back is best. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Driving the carrier back counts as dominant. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 7: Release and getting back up

- The tackler lets go so the ball is available. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lying in the way slows the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- A tackler who rises can contest. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Players on the ground cannot defend. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Two skills joined. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Lying on the ball stops play. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Rolling clear leaves the ball available. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Tackle, let go, clear, rejoin. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Back on the feet is best. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Rolling clear makes the ball available. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 8: Being tackle ready

- A ready stance lets the defender move any way. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hands ready means arms in the tackle. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Square defenders can go either way. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Short steps prevent being stepped. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Quick resets keep the line full. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Communication stops gaps. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Hips do not lie about direction. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Stance, close, shorten, tackle. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Bent knees and hands up is ready. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Ready to move and tackle. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 9: The double tackle

- One takes the legs, one the ball. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Splitting jobs makes the tackle complete. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Whoever is closest goes first. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- High double tackles are risky. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Team tackling stops powerful runners. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Both tacklers must stay in the game. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Calls decide the jobs. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Low, high, down, rejoin. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Bigger carriers need two defenders. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Low and high together. (Source: General rugby union reference)

## Test 10: Tackle drills

- Kneeling drills build technique safely. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Bags let players practise full contact safely. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Slow speed lets coaches check technique. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Technique first, then speed. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Small space forces safe, controlled tackles. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Carriers come from both sides. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Video shows head position and height. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Build up step by step. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Speed comes last. (Source: General rugby union reference)
- Kneeling keeps it slow and safe. (Source: General rugby union reference)

Sources: World Rugby handbooks and coaching material, union and competition records; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered Laws belong to the Laws category.

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