Check the hand position—and the wrap behind the cue
Using “kangaroo hands” as a rugby tackle cue? Check elbows, wrists and grip, then rehearse the position in a coach-led, non-contact drill.
If your coach uses “kangaroo hands” to describe a tackle-ready arm position, ask them to demonstrate it. The useful part is the position and the next action—not the animal comparison.
World Rugby’s Tackle Ready guidance uses “claws up, elbows in”: elbows close to the sides or in front of the body, wrists above elbows, and open hands ready to grip. That gives you a concrete checkpoint rather than a pose to imitate. World Rugby: tackle preparation
This guide is for adult club rugby union, with a non-contact rehearsal below. Learn actual contact under a qualified coach, using your union and competition’s tackle-height rules.
What should the hands be doing?
Before contact, check three things:
- Elbows close: beside your ribs or slightly in front, rather than spread wide.
- Wrists above elbows: hands ready in front of you, not hanging beside your thighs.
- Hands open: ready to grasp, rather than clenched into fists.
World Rugby describes this as a boxer stance with open “claw” hands. Do not copy a boxing punch: the next rugby action is shoulder connection with an arm wrap, clamp and grip. The hands should not stay frozen in the preparation position. World Rugby: preparation and connection
Hands up alone do not make a tackle legal. Law 9.16 prohibits charging or knocking down a ball carrier without attempting to grasp them. World Rugby Law 9 The coaching aim is to wrap and control the carrier, not simply to show the starting hand position.
Keep the cue inside the whole tackle
Arm readiness must not distract you from approaching in balance. Track the carrier, bring your feet close, lower into a strong position and keep your eyes on the target. Your head belongs behind or to one side of the carrier—never in front. The arms then wrap around the carrier. World Rugby: the tackle
For the complete sequence, use our rugby tackle progression. If the arms remain wide or fail to close during coached contact practice, use the arm-wrap coaching guide, rather than adding more hand-position slogans.
A short, non-contact checkpoint
Setup: After warming up, mark a short approach lane with cones on a clear surface. One player rehearses while the coach observes from outside the lane. There is no ball carrier, pad strike or takedown.
Action:
- Walk through the lane, then shorten your steps as you approach the final cone.
- Lower into your coached tackle-preparation position while keeping your eyes forward.
- Pause in balance: elbows close, wrists above elbows, hands open. Reset and repeat.
Checkpoint: Can you show the hand position without looking down, losing balance or locking yourself into a rigid pose? Ask the coach to check from the front and side.
If balance or posture disappears, slow the movement and correct one feature at a time. World Rugby recommends focusing on one or two tackle points, giving constructive feedback and developing skills progressively. This rehearsal checks preparation only; it is not a test of readiness for live tackling. World Rugby: coaching tips