Rugby: How To Coach The Rugby Tackle (analysis of Sam Underhill)

Rugby Coaching:
England's Sam Underhill was exceptional at the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. He was devastating against New Zealand All Blacks after an intense haka.
Key Points
- Key focus points for a safe yet powerful rugby tackle
- Analysis of England's Sam Underhill's tackle technique
- Movements from other sports such as deadlift technique, wrestling or MMA movements and sprinters at the start of a race that can be used in the tackle technique
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[@ContactCoach]

Don't forget to head over to my Facebook page (The Contact Coach) for more videos! You can also follow me on Instagram @thecontactcoach for shorter clips.

[@sebclement6253]

it also helps having the shoulder span of the M6. Great vid as always, great analysis.

[@ContactCoach]

Yeah- that will always help!! Thanks for watching, Seb.

[@zyaicob]

I'm a small guy, one of the smallest on the rugby field. Best advice I ever got for tackling, no matter the size of the ball carrier, was "lift a leg". No matter how much weaker I am than they are, they cannot maintain their balance on one leg. This isn't an easy magic trick, of course, you have to get your body into a position where you can actually lift a leg and drive them back, which is all about body position and timing, but once you get in there, lift a leg and drive them backwards. This was a very good video, just dropping some advice for my brothers in the comments who, like me, are about a third the size of Sam Underhill and might feel overwhelmed.

[@jimmymoloney7360]

Thank you. I am a decently undersized number 7 and I will remember this the next time I need to bring down a prop.

[@SportsFan-gr8zx]

Another key factor is halving your height by folding at the waist just before/during the final foot placement. Underhill is consistently making contact somewhere between the opponent's belly button and hips because he does this. I've found this has helped my tackling also.

[@gracechatfield1211]

I am in an under 13s girls team and I found this video very helpful! I am known in my team for my tackling and this really helped me to hone my skills. We are told these things in training but it is incredibly beneficial to see it being used in a game! Thank you for a very well put together and very educational video!

[@ContactCoach]

Great to hear from you, Grace, and I’m glad you found the video useful. Tackling is such a fun part of the sport. Where is your team based?

[@gracechatfield1211]

@@ContactCoach around surrey

[@bassileosioane3329]

Please keep doing this, you can not imagine how valuable you are doing, I have learned a lot with your videos, please

[@ContactCoach]

Thank you! I’m really pleased you enjoy these videos.

[@tarutso]

Ty for these videos. Super clear, insightful and love the summary at end

[@ContactCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LuizAntonio-wz4cb]

Great content mate!! tks a lot

[@rafaelgatino7802]

Great video, loving your content

[@ContactCoach]

Thanks, Rafael. I appreciate you taking a look at the videos 👊

[@EclecticSceptic]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@ContactCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@love4all396]

TOO GOOD

[@nicopostigo123]

Great video

[@ContactCoach]

Thanks, mate 👊

[@robertrush6089]

Bloody good video! From NZ

[@ContactCoach]

Thank you, Robert 👊

[@robertedwards3551]

It isn't necessary to drive a ball carrier backwards, if your smaller by some margin then falling in line with the momentum of the carrier also works and is safe, it also has the benefit of landing the carrier in your on-side area allowing support to engage in the ensuing ruck before the attacking opposition. I notice that there's a focus on this form of tackle in RFU coaching and there remains much about the side tackle, tackle from behind, the head on tackle and the smother tackle to consider. I wonder if the English cult of the back row has anything to do with it?

[@ContactCoach]

Agreed. Many ways to execute a positive tackle with a good, safe outcome.

[@truthseeker7322]

Great technique. Squeezes behind the knees just on top of the calf muscle. That's triple A grade level

[@canadiancontent352]

Great analysis. I'd day this tackle technique is suited to someone with Sam's physical attributes. Whereas if George Ford attempted to tackle Reid like this he'd likely not have the same outcome. I believe he'd need to have a similar technique with a focus on "turning the corner" rather than driving back or through the ball carrier.

[@ContactCoach]

Great insight, thanks for sharing. I think the principles stay the same but being smart with tackling angles- I think that's what you mean by 'turning the corner'?

[@canadiancontent352]

@@ContactCoach turning the corner is a term I learned from wrestling. When a wrestler shoots in for a double or single leg takedown; if they get one leg they will turn the opponent to knock him off balance and complete the takedown. I've taught it to some success in rugby but I think most effective chop tacklers due this naturally.

[@ContactCoach]

@@canadiancontent352 Love that- I learned something today! Thanks, bud!

[@helios6819]

So, When tackling with the right shoulder, which leg should push more at the moment of impact ? Left rear leg ?

[@ContactCoach]

Step in with energy and follow through with rear leg.

[@Dylan-sy7ur]

Any tips on how to get confidence in tackling

[@ContactCoach]

Absolutely! Come over to www.thecontactcoach.com and we can have a chat!

[@zyaicob]

Watch that one video of Chrysander Botha tackling the Beast as many times as you need to internalise the idea that no matter the physical disparity, anyone can tackle anyone. You can tackle anyone. Tackling is all about getting someone to fall over, so hit hard, wrap tight, lift a leg and drive them backwards- they'll either fall over or they'll lose 10 metres and either way you've done our team a great service.

[@SportsFan-gr8zx]

Play in lower level teams where players are slower and unlikely to step you. This will increase your confidence.

[@donjorvead2431]

Wonder what Sam Underhill would be like if he was on a defensive team in American Football

[@BS2Dos]

👍👍

[@zoltanm8278]

My shoulder keeps on dislocating while tackling. Everyone says I go in with straight arm, even when I try not to. And now every time I tackle there's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that my shoulder will pop out again. Do you have any tips I can use to get rid of this habit?

[@SportsFan-gr8zx]

Best to get a proper strengthening programme from a physiotherapist. If you don't have the money for that you could try shoulder strengthening exercises that can be found online / ask a fitness professional at your local gym. But ideally get advice from a physio as that's their specialty.

[@attackpatterndelta8949]

Whatever he hits, he destroys.