Coaching Children

Main Coaching Activities

We have developed a 5-stage progression to introduce children to the game in a safe and progressive manner. Each stage has a number of appropriate activities – select ones appropriate to the level of player experience. Each stage has a downloadable PDF containing guidance on how to run the activity. Note that Unions may have their own Age Grade Law Variations which you must adhere to. In case of doubt please contact your Union for clarification.

You can download all Coaching Activity Cards on completion of the course.

1. Introducing the game through Touch/Tag

  • Rob the nest
  • 5 Pass Game
  • Sharks and Fishes
  • End Ball (and variations)
  • Corner Ball
  • Relay Races – ball familiarisation
  • Rats and Rabbits
  • Sharks and Fishes (and variations)
  • Breakout touch
  • Multi-direction end ball
  • Tag thief
  • Overload touch and variations
  • L-shaped passing
  • Simple passing
  • 4 v 2 continuous touch
  • Any direction touch (4 goals)
  • Passing gauntlet
  • Offload touch
  • Drop down touch
  • Middle man passing relay
  • Number touch
  • Group touch
  • Wide touch
  • Diamond Offload

2. Moving from Tag to Tackle (introducing contact)

  • Guidance for tackle technique
    • Side on tackle activity
    • Front on tackle activity
    • Rear tackle activity
  • Different types of tackle
  • Drop down touch
  • Grid Tackles – tackle mania
  • Breakout touch – progress to tackle
  • Pop off the ground touch
  • Sharks & Fishes on knees (with tackles)
  • 5 pass game (with tackles)
  • Ball presentation touch
  • Channel challenge
  • Ruck touch

 

3. Developing Contact

  • Ruck touch (and variations)
  • Ruck around the clock
  • Paramatta touch
  • Pop off the ground touch (with tackle)
  • Overload touch (contact progression)
  • Sharks & Fishes (contact progression)
  • Breakout touch (contact progression)
  • Pyramid Attack
  • Drop off touch (contact variation)
  • Contact game – nearest 3 in

4. Introducing Set Piece

  • Lineout end ball
  • Lineout move and catch
  • Lineout end ball progression
  • 1 v 1 Scrum practice/game
  • 2 v 2 Scrum practice/game
  • 3 v 3 Scrum practice/game
  • 5 v 5 Scrum practice /game
  • Small sided game – lineout at every breakdown
  • Lineout circle

5. Developing Technical & Tactical understanding

  • Wide touch
  • 4 v2 Continuous touch
  • Group touch
  • 2 ball end ball progression
  • Switch and Loop pass
  • Offload touch (tackle progression)
  • Diamond Offload
  • Rugby Tennis
  • Paired Kicking
  • Rugby Rounders
  • Split-up touch
  • Single line touch
  • Ruck and Roll
  • Pyramid Attack
  • Middle man passing relay with defender
  • Double line touch
  • Colour touch
  • Breakout touch
  • 2 v 2 Breakout
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