Gilbert Jackal Arms

Developed in consultation with specialist skills, breakdown and International coach, Richie Gray, Gilbert have developed a range of specialist training equipment to target the tackle and breakdown skills.

The key with the Jackal Arms training aid is that it develops different angles of attack for the jackal onto the presentation of the ball carrier. Most training aids have the ball attached to them which only brings about one technique – it's important to work players in game-like situations. The ball carrier in the modern game is trying to present the ball away from their body, so to be effective we must also train for this as well.

Coaching Tips:

• Encourage players to approach from different angles and speeds, do not always give the player a straight approach to the training aid i.e. hit ground and up, hit ground and roll then back to feet, get the player to evade you then make them enter the contest. Place the Jackal Arms at different heights on the bag so that the player must work on the re-shape within the contact situation with the arms placed low-mid-high.
• Tackle: Speed of approach, eyes on target and set height, hip sink, foot in close, same foot same shoulder, initial shoulder contact, arm wrap and grip, chase the feet, complete the tackle.
• 1 player drill – Single Jackal: key tackle points… chasing feet get into a strong position over ball, hands onto ball and hold or pull ball up onto chest, feet shoulder width apart and sink into a strong position, stay square, hips down, flat back showing no angles and head tucked back into shoulders, head in a neutral position, eyes looking over for potential threats.
• 1 player drill – Single Jackal & Clean: As above but instead of holding in the jackal position for steal, go past the ball and attack through the tackle to affect opposition clean out accuracy.
• 2 player drill – Double Jackal: from chasing feet get into a strong position over ball, hands onto ball and hold or pull ball up onto chest, feet shoulder width apart and sink into a strong position, stay square, hips down, flat back showing no angles and head tucked back into shoulders, head in a neutral position, eyes looking over for potential threats. Second player then joins the jackler to create strong bind shoulder to shoulder to protect the jackal and to form strong holding formation.
• 1 or 2 player drill – work on a straight tackle or fatigue the player first then carry out the tackle and jackal technique so that the exercise always puts the player’s skills under pressure. Add an extra player in defence to carry out the tackle so that the jackal has to re-act to the movement of the jackal arms as they connect with the ground.

As a coach, look for speed of movement of the player getting back to their feet after the tackle. Look to keep hips low and square, up into strong squatting base position or crawl out on all fours and back to standing.

The player can add in a dynamic roll once the bag has been tackled, working core and arm strength. If the player is getting back onto their feet and in and over the bag, make sure the player’s feet are not too close together but are at the correct width to bring about outstanding stability in supporting their own body weight and being ready for the threat.

If you are asking the player to go in and over the bag, once the tackle has been carried out, always finish in a strong end position, eyes up looking for the threat, or in a defensive position ready to protect from oncoming contact.

You can bring in a second and third player to put pressure on the tackler. As the tackler gets to their feet and fights to roll the bag or get in and over to jackal, the second player can attack the tackler affecting the player’s balance, or try to get underneath the player in order to win the “shoulder battle”.

Gilbert  is manufactured from water resistant fabric with interior foam construction to the highest of standards to ensure they maintain their structure and quality. The high gloss finish makes sure that the equipment remains ‘mud free’ during the rugby season.

Gilbert Tackle Equipment has a specifically woven material which enhances the durability and strength to ensure they can withstand anything thrown at them.

Sizing - currently available in Senior or Junior. Available as part of the Gilbert