Jackling is one of the essential skills in modern rugby.
A jackal is when a player enters a ruck and attempts to steal the ball from the player who has been tackled. The intention is either to directly steal the ball from the player on the ground or to win a penalty if the player on the ground doesn’t release it.
A tackle-jackal is when the player who completes the tackle is then able to get back to their feet quickly and attempt to steal the ball.
The “Strong Man” stance
When going for a jackal, it is important to prepare yourself for heavy contact. In order to win a turnover or penalty, it is essential that you are able to weather a ruck clear-out. The best way to do this is to get a wide and strong base. The stronger the base, the harder it will be to move and the more likely you will be to win a turnover. Also, the lower this powerful base, the closer you are to the ground in order to steal it.
Timing the entry: supporting your own weight
One of the key rules of jacking is that you must be able to support your own body weight. The referee will judge if the jackaling player would be able to stay on his feet, even if the player on the ground wasn’t there.
Getting the timing of the jackal is crucial, as the player must directly get onto the ball. If the jackaler puts their hands on the floor before they get on the ball, they will be penalised.
Training drills to improve breakdown agility
Jack Willis on the For Love of Rugby podcast revealed that one of the key factors to his jackling ability is due to the work he puts into flexibility.
Having a good understanding of the laws is also crucial to be an effective jackaler. Understanding what you are allowed to do is crucial to getting that edge at ruck time, particularly in younger age groups.
Practising the jackal starting from all angles and with things in the way can be the difference between a good player at the jackal and a great one.
