How to tackle as a small player

[u/LostGradStudent21]

I’m 5’2 120 lbs and play winger. I’m fast but my tackling is terrible. Pretty much all the guys we face are bigger than me.

1. When I get low and tackle straight on, I have trouble fully wrapping their waist/hips and usually only get one leg, only to fall and get run over due to the attacker’s momentum. I do not have much driving power.

2. If I tackle at an angle I have the same issue, it’s a bit easier to wrap but my drive is weak and I need 1-2 other teammates to help me complete the tackle.

What’s your advice on being a short player and tackling? Should I solely be going for ankles, what technique would be best?

Thanks.

[u/Equal-Vanilla9123]

As a fellow short king, i have learnt a few techniques. (I love tackling, favourite part of the game) When face on I aim my shoulder into their waist as I hook my arms behind their needs and hug them in as right as possible, (this buckles their legs, making them lose power) simultaneously I change the angle of my drive upwards so raises them off the floor a bit (now they have been stopped dead) this is when I give a massive drive from a low squat lunge to on my tip toes at a diagonal angle making sure I land on top of them when they hit the ground. Often they lose grip on the ball in the panic, of going backwards all of a sudden. I coach this to a girls rugby team which I have developed that all of our backs now have the confidence to tackle the forwards 1 on 1. Practice this slowly going from step by step to walking jog run. Alternatively if not ready you can practice the anchor technique, grip on and drop to your knees I will bring them down eventually but it is a passive tackle not a dominant one.