Tag: Tackling

How to videos

While I have talked about how rugby works in previous posts, these videos will help further understand the game.  Some of these are the videos I was shown when I first started playing rugby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiCiehJAFSg

The video above goes over what rugby is, who are on the teams, and stuff like that in an entertaining British accent.

This is a good video to show to someone before they go watch their first game as it gives a gist of what is about to happen within a few short minutes if you do not have a lot of time to sit down and explain the game to them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiCiehJAFSg

This next video elaborates more on tackling.  Focus on the hips, because they don’t lie!  You will be able to tell where the ball carrier is going to go based on where their hips are pointing and you will be able to take down even the slipperiest runner.

Short Videos

Watching rugby is the second best way to understand it, with the first being playing in a game.  Watching Vines and Instagram videos are good ways to see snippets if you don’t have the time to sit down and watch an 80 minute game.

The vine shown is an example of a high tackle. Take note on how the tackler is grabbing onto the shoulders and the tacklee’s head and neck are going down, which could lead to neck and spinal injuries.

http://https://vine.co/v/5J69jepxjEt

The video bellow is a good example of the back line having fast hands to gain as many yards as possible before getting tackled.  The back line getting steep after a ruck helped them get the ball out quicker.

In this next video, one of the players is able to get by the defense by punting the ball and running up to catch it.  He then is able to make a breakaway and score a try.

Tackles

In rugby, one is only allowed to tackle the player carrying the ball.  There is a slight exception, where if the person just passed the ball, but there is too much momentum, it is safer to complete the tackle.

When you hit the other person at or above the shoulders, it is considered a high tackle. Don’t do these. This is where a lot of injuries happen. The lower the tackle, the better. Getting low also makes it harder for the ball carrier to prevent being tackled.

14702508_1063644020423694_396761921331503164_n

 

Pictured above is a good example.  She is getting low, wrapping up, and popping up a little to give it some oomph. She also made sure she had her teammates with her to ruck over her when she goes down.

Wrapping up (wrapping you’re arms around the person getting tackled) is a good way to make sure you go down to the ground with them. Popping your shoulder into her gut knocks her breath away and makes her think twice the next time she sees you running at her when she has the ball.

Do not panic and do not hesitate, whether you are the ball carrier or the tackler. This is also a way that injuries happen. Limbs flail and are more likely to get injured. Players don’t fall correctly.