GRAPPLE BAG LEVEL 1-3

GRAPPLE BAG L1
75cm (h). Weight 18kg
29.5in (h). Weight: 40lbs

GRAPPLE BAG L2
110cm(h). Weight 26kg
43.3in (h). Weight: 57lbs

GRAPPLE BAG L3
140cm (h). Weight 34kg
55in (h). Weight: 75lbs

GRAPPLE BAG L1
60cm (h). Weight 7kg
24in (h). Weight: 16lbs

GRAPPLE BAG L2
85cm (h). Weight 9kg
33in (h). Weight: 20lbs

GRAPPLE BAG L3
110cm (h). Weight 12kg
43in (h). Weight: 26lbs

• Coaches should make sure varied approaches regarding angles and speed from players should be carried out. Do not always give the player a straight approach to the bag (i.e. hit ground and up, hit ground and roll then back to feet, get the player to evade the coach then make the hit… never make it easy!) The key coaching point on The Grapple Bag is that we want the player to hit square (“Square is Strong”). The front cylinder is a different colour to the rest of the cylinders, and is a different width, this is the target we want players to make initial contact with.
• Coaches can work on a straight hit or fatigue the player first then carry out the tackle so that the hit puts the player’s skills under pressure.
• Players should keep eyes on the target all the way through the initial hit, strong arm clamp and initial shoulder contact, grip work then lock in. On making the connection with the Grapple Bag the player will have to work hard to gather all the back cylinders together or it won’t be a successful connection.
• As a coach, look for speed of movement of the player using their “acceleration feet” after the tackle, look to keep hips low and square and finish the tackle off – don’t slip off!!
• Make sure the player connects with same foot same shoulder with feet the correct width apart to bring about outstanding stability and balance in controlling their own body weight throughout entry into and out of the tackle.
• Coaches can call different commands relating to the player wrapping and gripping the bag. The width, height, and weight of the bag and the cylinder placement has been purposely designed to make the practice difficult and game-like – this ensures that the transition to “live” practice assists in making the movements easier.
• Make sure the players work on different grip techniques on the bag and always finish in a strong end position.