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By Elizabeth Petersen-Berube 1. Mark off a square with cones (about 20 square feet) and split your players into two equal groups. 2. Each group of players should line up on opposite sidelines. Assign each player a number. Each group should have a 1, a 2, a 3, etc. 3. The coach should stand in the middle of the square and kick the ball gently into the air. As she does so (and before the ball hits the group) she should call out a number and the players assigned that number should run out to the call (for instance, if she yells "One!" the "ones" from both sides should run out.) 4. The first player on the ball is on offense, and the second player is now on defense and must tackle the offensive player. The offensive player should look to evade the tackle and the defensive player should concentrate on tackling low. 5. The offensive player can “win” the drill by toughing the ball down in the simulated try zone. Once the offensive player scores or the defensive player makes the tackle, the coach should collect the ball and call two new numbers. Extra credit: To make this drill more dynamic, the coach can call TWO numbers each time she kicks the ball. Whichever player collects the loose ball is on offense with her teammate. The offensive team can look to pass or fake. Encourage the offensive players to use their space effectively. The defensive team should look to make clean tackles and mark up. |
