GSI Performance Grapple Bag L1

The Grapple Bag is part of the GSI Performance Technical Training Range and can be used in isolation or as part of the full system of products. This piece of equipment has been specifically designed to isolate accurate body height and the immediate tackle follow-up technique of body shape, strong stance and balance in and out of the tackle exercise, isolating specific wrap and arm movements within the action. As a player, using this piece of equipment helps train accurate body height, arm wrap and grip, reaction speed and balance. The bag can be used to develop a single, or double layer contact depending on what defensive tackle techniques are being trained.

The Grapple Bag has been developed at three levels L1, L2 and L3.

The Grapple Bag is a formation of five cylinders. The width of the frontal cylinder on the Senior Grapple bag is 30.5cm/12inch and on the Junior Grapple bag is 20cm/8.7inch, all other supporting cylinders sit behind.

GRAPPLE BAG L1 ADULT ONLY

• 75cm (h). Weight 18kg
• 29.5in (h). Weight: 40lbs

KEY COACHING POINTS

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.