the fundamentals of tackling

  Tackling may be divided into three types: 

1.  Side tackles. 

2.  Straight on tackles 

3.  Diving tackles 

SIDE TACKLES

  It is advisable to try and position the ball-carrier on the side (left or right side), lining him up and keeping your eyes fixed on the area between his hips and legs.  When you are two or three yards away form you opponent, either accelerate or ease pace. Watch his feet.  When he lifts the leg nearest to you that is the time to drive home your tackle, placing your head behind his rump, arms grasped around the legs tightly. By doing this, no real energy is required because you have positioned your opponent off balance, and you have also protected yourself for the fall by using him as a cushion when hitting the ground. Always hold your arms around his legs tightly. If you don't you may receive a kick from his legs as he sprawls on the ground. 
  Important things NOT to do: 
  Don't place your head in front of the ball-carrier you are tackling because when you come in contact with the ground you will be underneath and more likely to be injured. 
  Don't drive home the tackle if the feet are in the opposite position to that stated above because your opponent has distributed al his weight to that side with the purpose of using his hip to bump you away.  For this reason, it is most important to watch his feet when making contact for the tackle. 

A dangerous tackle. In this case the tackled
will certainly fall onto the tackler.

STRAIGHT ON TACKLES

  These are generally very rare; the most common place to strike them would be around the rucks.  The best method possible is to move quickly to the ball-carrier, thus not giving him any chance of gaining momentum. This is where the element of surprise comes in.  Bending low in a crouching position and watching his legs, move your head to the side opposite the knee that is being lifted, drive hard with the should blocking the knee coming up.  Fix your arms around his legs tightly and follow through. 

DIVING TACKLES

  These are generally executed in desperation.  You must hit the ball-carrier from behind from the hips down, placing the head to one side so as to protect yourself from the feet of the opponent.  The arms should be placed around the legs tightly.

Moving in for a tackle.