KS4 · Physical education · Year 10
Tackling and defensive line speed
Non-examined assessment: rugby league practical
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can come up as a defensive line with my team and take down the opposition using a successful tackle.
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Tackling and defensive line speed: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can come up as a defensive line with my team and take down the opposition using a successful tackle.
Key learning points
- Move: tackling is performed with a low body position, arms wrapped to secure the ball carrier until they hit the ground.
- Move: side shuffling whilst getting back onside quickly allows defenders to keep an eye on the ball.
- Think: staying as a flat defensive line will leave no gaps for attackers to run through.
- Feel: confidence to initiate contact comes from repeated execution with the correct technique.
- Connect: supporting less confident classmates to execute successful tackles in practice conditions shows kindness.
Words to know
- defensive line
- the formation of defending players spread across the field to prevent the attacking team from advancing and scoring
- high tackle
- a tackle that is above the shoulders and is very dangerous and illegal, so a penalty would be awarded
- late tackle
- a penalty offence for tackling a player who has already passed or kicked the ball
Common mistakes
Running up quickly to tackle the ball carrier is always the best thing to do.
Moving up quickly to tackle the ball carrier is only the right thing to do if the rest of your defensive line is with you, as you can leave gaps which makes it easy for the ball carrier to stop you and break up the pitch to score a try.
For parents, carers and teachers
- It may be beneficial to pair pupils up in ability/confidence levels and in the game provide bibs for any pupil that may not wish to be tackled directly (a touch can be used). Contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training).