Strip and punch takeaways

Setup

1. Contact level: thud. The first tackler wraps up at thud and the ball carrier stays on their feet the whole rep. Nobody goes to the ground.
2. Full helmet and shoulder pads, and a coach watches every rep. Count the thud time towards the week's full-contact limit.
3. Groups of three: a ball carrier (BC), a first tackler (T1) and a second defender who strips the ball (T2). Match the group for size.
4. Mark a lane 20 yards long and 10 yards wide with cones; BC starts at one end, T1 and T2 at the other, 3 yards apart.

How it runs

1. BC carries at three-quarter pace with the ball high and tight. T1 and T2 close on the coach's whistle.
2. T1 makes a thud wrap: shoulder-led, head up and to the side, arms wrapped, feet still driving. T1 holds, but does not take BC down.
3. T2 arrives a step behind and attacks the ball: a punch with the fist into the ball, or a rip from above, pulling the forearm down on the ball.
4. When the ball comes out, T1 lets go, T2 scoops it on the move and returns it 10 yards. If it doesn't come out, T2 helps finish the thud wrap.
5. Rotate after each rep: BC to T1, T1 to T2, T2 to BC. 4 reps in each role.

Coaching points

• Secure the tackle first. The first player in always makes the tackle; only the second player goes for the ball.
• T1: head up and out of contact, shoulder into the body, eyes up. Never lead with the helmet.
• T2: eyes on the ball, not the player. Punch through the point of the ball, or rip down on the forearm.
• Scoop on the move with two hands, low and through the ball. Fall on it only if it's in traffic.
• BC: five points of pressure on the ball. Cover it with both arms as soon as contact comes.

Common mistakes

• T1 going for the ball and missing the tackle.
• T2 swinging at the arm or the face mask instead of the ball.
• BC being driven to the ground; the drill stays at thud with everyone up.
• Diving on a loose ball in the open instead of scooping it.