Safe tackling is the foundation of rugby, and it should be taught step by step. The core technique is to close the space with short, balanced steps, lower your body so you make contact low, around the waist or below, place your head to the side of the ball carrier with your cheek against their hip or thigh, often called cheek to cheek, make contact with the shoulder, wrap the arms and squeeze, then drive through with the legs, land on top and release. Coaches should build up gradually, starting with kneeling tackles on pads, then crouching and walking tackles, then channel drills at jogging pace, and finally controlled live tackling in small grids. Always follow the current tackle-height laws for your level, since many community competitions now require lower tackles.
Rulebook note: Laws referenced here follow World Rugby’s Laws of the Game for rugby union, which prohibit dangerous tackles, including tackles above the line of the shoulders. Many national unions have introduced lower tackle-height rules for community and age-grade rugby, and rugby league has its own rules. Check the current laws and regulations for your competition.
Health note: Tackling carries a risk of head, neck and shoulder injuries. Coaches should hold appropriate qualifications, teach technique progressively, match players by size and ability, and remove any player showing signs of concussion from play, following their union’s concussion and return-to-play protocols.
Tackle technique
| Step | Key point |
|---|---|
| Approach | Close the space, shorten steps, stay balanced |
| Height | Aim low, around the waist or below, never high |
| Head | Head to the side, eyes open, cheek against the carrier’s hip or thigh |
| Contact | Shoulder makes contact |
| Wrap | Arms wrap around the legs or hips and squeeze |
| Drive and finish | Leg drive, land on top, release and get back to your feet |
Breaking down the tackle
Approach: Move toward the ball carrier quickly, then shorten your steps as you get close so you can adjust to their movement. Stay on the balls of your feet and keep your weight balanced. Many missed tackles come from overrunning the carrier or lunging from too far away.
Lower your height: Bend at the knees and hips to lower your center of gravity, keeping your back flat and head up. Aim to make contact around the waist or lower, which is safer for both players and gives you better leverage.
Head position: Your head goes to the side of the ball carrier, never in front of them where it could be struck by their knees or body. Keep your eyes open and chin off the chest. The cheek to cheek cue reminds players to place their cheek against the carrier’s hip or buttock.
Shoulder contact and wrap: Make contact with the shoulder on the same side as your head placement, then wrap both arms tightly around the carrier’s legs or hips and squeeze to prevent them breaking free.
Drive and finish: Keep driving with the legs to move the carrier backward or to ground. Once the carrier is down, land on top where possible, release them as the laws require, and get back to your feet quickly to rejoin play.
Drill progressions
- Kneeling tackles on a pad: both players kneel; focus on head placement, shoulder contact and wrapping.
- Crouching to kneeling tackles: the tackler starts crouched and tackles a kneeling partner onto a soft surface.
- Walking tackles on tackle bags: practice footwork, height and head position into a bag.
- Channel tackles at jogging pace: a carrier jogs down a narrow channel; the tackler practices the full technique.
- Controlled live tackling in small grids: limited speed and space, with close supervision.
- Game-related tackling: small-sided games with tackling, once technique is secure.
Front-on, side-on and from behind
Side-on tackle: Often the first tackle taught, as the carrier is moving across the tackler. The head goes behind the carrier’s body.
Front-on tackle: The carrier runs straight at the tackler. The tackler must lower their height, place the head to the side and use a strong leg drive. This is more demanding and should be introduced after side-on tackling is secure.
Tackle from behind: Chasing a carrier, the tackler aims low around the thighs, places the head to the side and wraps tightly, using their momentum to bring the carrier down.
After the tackle
The tackle does not end when the ball carrier hits the ground. The laws require the tackler to release the tackled player immediately and roll away or get back to their feet before playing the ball again. Tacklers who stay on the ground or hold on can be penalized. Once back on their feet, and entering from their own side, they may compete for the ball, which is where many turnovers happen. Teaching players to finish the tackle and bounce back up quickly is as important as teaching the tackle itself, since a quick recovery can win the ball back or allow the tackler to rejoin the defensive line.
Defensive systems and tackling
Individual tackling fits into a team’s defensive system. In a line defense, each player is responsible for a particular attacker, and communication helps defenders know who they are marking. Some teams use a double tackle, where one player tackles low and a second arrives to stop the offload or slow the ball, though legal height limits must still be respected. Coaches should integrate tackling practice with defensive shape drills so players learn to tackle while moving as part of a connected line, rather than only in isolated one-on-one situations.
Building confidence
Many new players are nervous about tackling. Progressing slowly, using soft pads and tackle bags, and pairing players of similar size helps build confidence. Praise good technique rather than big hits, and give players plenty of repetitions at low intensity before increasing speed. Confidence and technique grow together, so rushing the process often leads to fear, poor technique and injuries.
Tackle-height rules
World Rugby’s laws prohibit high tackles, and many unions have introduced lower tackle-height limits in community and age-grade rugby to reduce head contact. These rules may require tackles to be below the waist or a similar line. Coaches should teach technique that fits these rules from the start, emphasizing low tackles and safe head placement, since habits learned early tend to stick.
Coaching tips
- Keep sessions short and focused to avoid fatigue.
- Use clear, simple cues such as cheek to cheek and wrap and squeeze.
- Match players by size and experience.
- Provide feedback on technique, not just outcome.
- Include tackle practice regularly, but at controlled volumes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Tackling too high.
- Putting the head in front of the ball carrier.
- Dropping the head or closing the eyes.
- Not wrapping the arms, which leads to missed or illegal tackles.
- Lunging from too far away.
- Rushing into live contact before technique is secure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest way to tackle in rugby?
Go in low, with your head to the side of the carrier, make contact with the shoulder, wrap your arms and drive through with your legs.
What does cheek to cheek mean in rugby tackling?
It is a cue to place your cheek against the ball carrier’s hip or buttock, keeping your head safely to the side.
How should beginners learn to tackle?
Through gradual progressions, starting with kneeling tackles on pads and building up to controlled live tackling.
