Rhino Guide to Hit Shields
Rhino's hit shields have been the choice of elite players for more than 30 years, supplying the British & Irish Lions, England Rugby, Wales, and France. Our range is the widest in the game — built to meet the needs of every coach and player, from grassroots to professional.
The Basics
What is a Hit Shield?
A hit shield is a padded training aid held by a coach, team-mate, or assistant to absorb impact during contact drills. Unlike a tackle bag which stands alone, a hit shield is actively held and moved — giving coaches live control over the angle, height, and intensity of every rep.
Whether you're introducing contact to minis for the first time, or running high-intensity breakdown drills with a senior squad, the right hit shield protects both the attacker and the holder while reinforcing the habits that win matches.
Rhino has been developing and refining hit shields for over 30 years, working with elite coaches to ensure every shield in the range serves a specific purpose at a specific level.
Tackling Technique
Build safe, effective tackle mechanics. The holder controls height, angle, and resistance for targeted, repeatable reps.
Contact Confidence
Repeated controlled contact builds confidence — especially important for young and developing players.
Rucking & Clearing
Specialist shields like the Hit & Drive are designed specifically for clearing-out and breakdown work.
Hit Shield vs Tackle Bag
A shield is held and repositioned in real time — the coach stays in control of every contact situation throughout the drill.
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Understanding the Range
Shield Types Explained
Not all hit shields are the same. Here's what each type is designed to do — and who it's designed for.
Standard Hit Shield
The workhorse of contact training. Flat, rectangular, and held in front of the body — ideal for all-round tackle and contact work at every level, from minis to seniors. Simple, durable, and effective.
All Levels
Includes: Mini Hit Shield, MP1 Club Hit Shield, Junior Hit Shield, International Hit Shield, World Cup Hit Shield
Breakdown Hit Shield
C-shaped and wrap-around in design, the breakdown shield simulates a real body shape at the contact point. Built specifically for clearing-out, counter-rucking, and driving work — not just tackling.
Breakdown & Rucking
Includes: Hit & Drive Shield (Junior & Senior)
Accuracy Hit Shields
Curved and shaped shields that present a smaller, more precise target area. They train players to hit the right spot with the right body position — developing accuracy, technique, and contact quality simultaneously.
Technique & Precision
Includes: Wave Hit Shield, Madison, Powa Shield
The Full Range
All Rhino Hit Shields
Every shield in the Rhino range. Use the filters to narrow down by age group or training type.
Mini / Up to U10
Mini Hit Shield
First contact confidence, built safe from day one.
- Lightweight, child-friendly foam construction
- Scaled down for small frames and small hands
- Soft PVC exterior for maximum player safety
- Easy to hold for parent and coach assistants
Size: Mini
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Junior / Up to U14
Junior Hit Shield
Scaled for growing players, built to the same standard as the senior range.
- Sized specifically for youth contact sessions
- Triple-stitched handles for long-term durability
- Absorbs repeated contact without deforming
- Ideal for age-grade and academy environments
Size: Junior
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U10 to Senior — Club
MP1 Club Hit Shield
The most versatile shield in the range — club-trusted at every level.
- Durable PVC outer, fast-recovery foam core
- Comfortable single-hand grip system
- Available in junior and senior sizes
- Built for high-volume training sessions
Sizes: Junior / Senior
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U10 to Elite — Standard
International Hit Shield
Club-to-international standard — the benchmark for senior contact training.
- Premium PU outer for increased durability
- High-density foam with rapid shape recovery
- Dual-handle design for secure holder grip
- Used across professional club academies worldwide
Sizes: Standard / XL
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Elite / International
World Cup Hit Shield
The largest, most advanced shield in the range. As used by the British & Irish Lions.
- Supersized for maximum impact absorption
- Extra-thick high-density foam construction
- Premium PU skin — abrasion resistant
- As used by the British & Irish Lions
Sizes: Senior / XL
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U10 – U18 — Accuracy & Technique
Junior Wave Hit Shield
A wave profile that makes correct tackle technique the only option.
- Wave-shaped surface enforces correct tackle height
- Encourages natural low-to-high driving technique
- Sized for junior players
- Ideal for academy and school environments
Size: Junior
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U14 to Elite — Accuracy & Technique
Wave Hit Shield
A wave profile that makes correct tackle technique the only option.
- Wave-shaped surface enforces correct tackle height
- Encourages natural low-to-high driving technique
- Full senior size for adult contact sessions
- Used at professional club and international level
Size: Senior
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U14 to Elite — Accuracy & Technique
Madison Wedge Hit Shield
Precision tackling and quick impacts — ready to move on to the next rep.
- Smaller curved target area trains precise, accurate tackling
- Lightweight and portable — ideal for travelling squads
- High-density foam with rapid shape recovery between reps
- Curved surface enforces correct tackle height naturally
Size: One Size
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U14 to Elite — Accuracy & Technique
Powa Shield
New Zealand-developed for the world's most demanding contact environments.
- Double-handle design for superior holder control
- Built-in hand guard protects the holder
- Developed with elite NZ coaching staff input
- Maximum impact absorption, minimal rebound
Size: Senior
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U10 to Elite — Breakdown
Hit & Drive Shield
Built for the breakdown. Train clearing, counter-rucking, and body mechanics.
- C-shaped wrap-around body profile
- Simulates realistic opposition body shape
- Designed for driving and clearing, not just tackling
- Available in junior and senior sizes
Sizes: Junior / Senior
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All Levels — Custom Branding
Bespoke Hit Shields
Your badge, your colours — available on every shield in the range.
- Available on every shield in the Rhino range
- Full custom colourway to match your club colours
- Club badge and sponsor logo application
- In-house design team to guide the process
Any size available
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Get the Fit Right
Shield Size Guide
Choosing the correct shield size matters. Too large and it becomes unsafe for younger players — too small and it won't absorb impact properly at senior level.
| Age Group | Player Level | Suitable Shields |
|---|---|---|
| Up to U10 | Minis | Mini Hit ShieldJunior Hit Shield |
| U10 – U14 | Junior | ClubInternationalJr Hit & DriveJr WaveMadison |
| U14 – U18 | Youth / Colts | ClubInternationalHit & DriveWaveMadisonPowa |
| Senior | Club / Senior | InternationalHit & DriveWaveMadisonPowa |
| Senior+ | Elite / International | World CupInternationalHit & DriveWaveMadisonPowa |
Coach's Corner
What Are You Training?
Every coach trains differently. Here are six common scenarios — and the shields that solve them.
Scenario 01
"I'm coaching minis for the first time."
New players need contact to be safe, fun, and low-pressure. Scaled-down shields build confidence without the fear of big collisions — both are ideal at this age.
Mini Hit Shield / Junior Hit Shield
Scenario 02
"I need a shield for general club contact sessions."
The MP1 Club is the most versatile in the range — durable, affordable, and available in junior and senior sizes. The Wave is a great addition for sessions where technique is the focus.
MP1 Club Hit Shield / Wave Hit Shield
Scenario 03
"We need to work on the breakdown and clearing out."
The C-shaped profile creates a body-like surface that rewards correct low body position, leg drive, and shoulder contact when clearing at the ruck. Available in junior and senior sizes.
Hit & Drive Shield
Scenario 04
"I want to improve tackle accuracy and technique."
Shaped shields with a smaller, curved target area that demands precision on every rep. The Wave, Madison, and Powa all train players to hit the right spot with the right body position.
Wave / Madison / Powa Shield
Scenario 05
"We're a professional squad doing high-intensity contact work."
At elite level you need shields that can handle serious volume. The World Cup offers maximum absorption, the Powa protects the holder at intensity, and the International is the club benchmark worldwide.
World Cup / Powa / International Hit Shield
Scenario 06
"I want shields branded with our club colours."
Our in-house design team can put your badge, colours, and sponsor logos on every shield in the range — from the Mini Hit Shield right through to the World Cup. Any model, any size.
Bespoke — available on all shields
The Rhino Difference
Why Rhino is the World's First Choice
Rhino's hit shields have been the choice of elite players for more than 30 years, supplying the likes of the British & Irish Lions, Wales, England Rugby, and France. Our range is the widest in the game — working with some of rugby's biggest innovators, from Shaun Edwards to George Smith.
Every shield in the range is designed to meet the needs of every coach and player — from grassroots to professional. Built in the UK, tested at the highest level, and trusted worldwide.
01
30+ Years of Heritage
Founded in the UK, Rhino has been developing technical rugby equipment since the early 1990s. Our experience is built into every product.
02
Trusted Internationally
Used by the Lions, England, Wales, France, and dozens of professional clubs across the Premiership and Pro14.
03
Coach-Led Development
Products like the Wave Shield and Powa Shield were developed in direct collaboration with world-class coaching staff.
04
Built to Last
Triple-stitched handles, fast-recovery foam, and premium PU/PVC construction mean Rhino shields survive the most demanding training environments.
Want Shields With Your Club Badge?
Our bespoke shield service puts your colours, crest, and sponsor logos on the same shields the Lions train with. Available on any model, any size, with our in-house design team to guide you through the process.
Shop the Full Range
Browse every hit shield in the Rhino range, or get in touch if you need help choosing the right product for your squad.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing and using Rhino hit shields.
A hit shield is held and moved by a coach or assistant, giving live control over angle, height, and resistance during every rep. A tackle bag stands or sits on its own and absorbs impact without any holder involvement. Hit shields are better for technique-focused, interactive drills; tackle bags are better for solo or high-volume repetition work. Most squads use both.
The Mini Hit Shield is purpose-built for players aged 5–10 — lightweight foam construction, soft PVC exterior, and scaled down to suit small frames and small hands. The Junior Hit Shield is also suitable at this age and bridges the gap into U14 training. Both prioritise safety and confidence-building over intensity.
The MP1 Club Hit Shield is the most versatile option for club squads — durable, affordable, available in junior and senior sizes, and built for high-volume training. For squads who want to step up, the International Hit Shield offers premium PU construction with dual handles and is the benchmark used across professional club academies worldwide.
The Hit & Drive Shield is the only shield in the range purpose-built for breakdown work. Its C-shaped wrap-around profile simulates a realistic body shape at the contact point, rewarding correct low body position, leg drive, and shoulder contact. Available in both junior and senior sizes, it's used from U10 all the way up to elite level.
Accuracy shields — the Wave Hit Shield, Madison Wedge, and Powa Shield — have curved or shaped profiles that present a smaller, more precise target area. They force players to hit the correct spot with the correct body position on every rep, making them excellent for technique-focused sessions. They're used from U14 through to international level and complement standard shields rather than replacing them.
Both are accuracy shields, but they differ in shape and use case. The Wave Hit Shield has a wave-cut surface that enforces correct tackle height naturally — it's excellent for technique drills at any level from U14 upwards. The Powa Shield is a double-handled shield developed with elite New Zealand coaching staff, featuring a built-in hand guard for the holder and designed specifically for high-intensity professional environments where holder safety is as important as player technique.
Yes — Rhino's bespoke service is available on every shield in the range. Our in-house design team can apply your club badge, custom colourway, and sponsor logos to any model, in any size. Contact the team at sales@rhino.direct to discuss your requirements and get a quote.
As a general guide, most contact drills work with a 1:4 ratio — one shield per four players. A squad of 30 typically needs 6–8 shields for a well-run contact session. Many clubs run a mixed set: standard shields for general contact, a Hit & Drive for breakdown work, and one or two shaped shields for technique sessions. Rhino offers bundle pricing — contact the team for volume enquiries.
After training, wipe shields down with a damp cloth to remove mud and moisture — avoid leaving them wet as this degrades the foam over time. Store shields flat or stacked horizontally in a dry, ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing them compressed under heavy equipment, as this can permanently deform the foam. Inspect handles and stitching regularly; Rhino's triple-stitched handles are built to last, but early repair of any fraying extends the life of the shield significantly.