Set Up:
A skill zone game where coaches can introduce a number of skills while also carrying out dynamic movements and stretches to get ready for game play.

Key Factors:
• Coaches will keep players on their toes by using a variety of skills.
• Aim for lots of touches in activities like this.
• Encourage players to pass off both sides as well as kicking with either foot.
• Keep numbers on teams small to maximise involvement

Set Up:
A relay race where small numbers of players race against each other with a mixture of sidestepping and dodging around a combination of different routes before getting the ball back to their team.

Key Factors:
• Encourage players to run with the ball in two hands.
• When stepping, plant outside foot on one side and landing on ball of foot.
• Push off onto other foot and accelerate forward with short, sharp steps.
• Coaches can constantly change up he number and combination of coloured cones so the players route is different every time.

Set Up:
A handling activity around realignment and catch/pass.

Key Factors:
• Encourage players to realign like the steps on a stairs.
• Player receiving the ball should be in a “deep” position, able to see the back or the number on the jersey of the player passing them the ball.
• Player catching the ball, reaches out and catches the ball early.
• Coaches can adapt the width of the grid and the numbers to present different challenges for the players.

Set Up:
A handling activity introducing a 2 vs 1.

Key Factors:
• Attacking players carry the ball in two hands.
• Support player holds their depth staying behind the ball player with hands up.
• Player on the ball looks to draw the defender. If the defender is committed the player looks to pass.
• If the defender drifts onto the other attacker the player on the ball can go themselves.

Overview:

An activity where players work on tackle technique before progressing to games.

Key Factors:

• Coaches set up multiple lines and position themselves in between to best see multiple players and tackles.
• One ball player from each line walks or jogs up their channel on the coaches call
• 2 or 3 tacklers will be positioned on their knees or standing 6 metres apart.
• Once the player is tackled and falls and places the ball, the tackler will release them and they progress to the next tackle
• All key factors for tackle remain the same. Shoulder on shorts, cheek to cheek, squeeze at knees, tackler land on top holding tight.
• Remember to rotate tacklers regularly as well as practising tackles on both sides.

Overview:

An activity where players work on an introduction to rucking, concentrating on good technique.

Key Factors:

• Players start in groups of 3 passing the ball in random directions.
• On the coaches call, the player with the ball runs forward towards the coach/player with the tackle shield
• Encourage the player with ball not to run straight at the bag and instead use dodging and sidesteps.
• The player with the ball drives forward before hitting the ground and placing the ball back
• Arriving supporting players drive the shield back, creating a fast ruck.
• Rotate roles and start again.

Overview:
Mini rugby is a great time learn the basics of rugby passing, whether it’s a push pass or spin pass, encourage players to have fun practicing this skill off either hand in reduced activities and games.
Key Factors for coaches:
• Fingers spread across the surface of the ball.
• Encourage the passer to turn their head and “look to the target” before pushing their hands to the target..
• Players receiving the pass should have their hands out towards the ball with fingers spread.
• Try to catch the ball early and not into the chest.
• Remember coaches to vary the distances and sides in reduced activities.

Overview:
At mini rugby players must tackle below the waist and cannot rip or tackle the ball in the tackle. Players should work on a safe and effective technique in training that can be repeated in game situations.

Key Factors for coaches:
• Watch opposition player and target the area you want to tackle “Eyes on the thighs”
• Encourage players to make contact with their shoulder on the opposition players thigh. Avoid hip or knee.
• Head to the side, “cheek to cheek” and never in front or across the opposite player.
• Wrap your arms tightly around the players leg “squeeze the knees” or “ring of steel”
• Encourage players to fall on top of the tackled player, holding tight before releasing and rolling away.

Overview:
Encouraging our players to use evasion when the attack will lead to a fast paced, highly skilled, enjoyable game where the ball will constantly be in play with lots of scores and involvement for the players.

Key factors for coaches:
• Ball in two hands and running on balls of the feet.
• Step hard off the outside foot to change direction.
• Accelerate past the defender.
• For coaches, look to play fun games that involve chasing and catching with fast changes of direction.
• Encourage players to run at “spaces not faces”.

Set Up:
An activity where players can work on their passing technique. A good activity where the skill is isolated and coaches can see good technique. Keep numbers small with multiple grids if needed to avoid queues and waiting.

Key Factors:
• Hands up and catch early. Reach towards the ball.
• Move ball across the chest and follow through towards target.
• Vary widths to challenge skills.
• Get players back into a game once the skill is mastered.

Set Up:
A skill activity where players race against each other in a passing race. Coaches decide how many turns counts as one complete race.

Key Factors:
• Keep groups small to avoid queues and waiting.
• Change the activity so players pass the ball from either side.
• Even though it is a race, still encourage good technique with catching the ball early with hands up.
• To increase difficulty, widen the distance of each pass.

Set Up:
A reduced activity where players work on a 1 on 1 tackle. Coaches can start off players walking, then jogging to increase confidence and good technique.
Key Factors:
• Tackler closes space on ball player., slow down before approaching ball player.
• Show ball player to one side.
• Step close and look to use shoulder to tackle while wrapping arms.
• If player is on your right. Step close with right foot, tackle with right shoulder.
• Push through, fall on top squeezing at the knees.

Overview:
A reduced activity where players work on a front on tackle and ball presentation in a 1 vs 1 activity.

Key Factors:
• Small groups of players line up either side of a small square.
• The coach passes a ball to one side, this player is the attacker, the player opposite is the tackler.
• The player runs to the coloured gate across the square while the tackler closes the space to make tackle
• Tacklers must get their lead foot close, squat low with shoulder making contact on the thigh, wrap arms and squeeze at the knees, push through to land on top.
• Make sure tackled player falls, knee……hip……..shoulder, before pushing the ball back with two hands.

Overview:
A fun relay race where players work on on falling, support and offload skills.

Key Factors:
• Look for players falling correctly knee, hip, shoulder.
• Support running from deep, calling for the ball with hands up ready to catch
• Look for pop off the ground to be chest high towards the supports hands.
• What game can you play now to try out these skills?

Set Up:
An activity where players can work on the side on tackle. With all tackle activities, establish safe and solid technique. Players can walk and jog before increasing pace.

Key Factors:
• Tackler tracks across, keeping their eye on the players shorts. Step close, making sure that the shoulder makes contact with the side of the players thigh.
• It is important that the tacklers head is always behind and aiming for cheek to cheek.
• When the tackler makes the tackle, they wrap their arms around the players legs, squeezing tight and falling on top.

Set Up:
A relay race where small numbers of players race against each other with a mixture of sidestepping and passing.
Key Factors:
• Encourage players to run with the ball in two hands.
• When stepping, plant outside foot on one side and landing on ball of foot.
• Push off onto other foot and accelerate forward with short, sharp steps.
• Coaches can introduce poles, flags etc into the course so players are sidestepping different objects and at different angles.

Overview:
A reduced activity where players can work on their tackle technique and offload skills.

Key Factors:
• 5 Tacklers set out in a semi-circle. Each tackler on their knees.
• Groups of 3 players start to run around the semi-circle, being tackled and offloading to support players.
• Players on knee can have outside arm up, encouraging the player on the ball to run on outside of tackler.
• Encourage players on the ball to use a small sidestep and run to the side of the tackler who is on his knees.
• Starting with players on knees encourages a good low tackle with safe technique.

Overview:
An activity where players can practice two types of passes in one with space between players changing each time. A good chance to work on a push and spin pass.

Key Factors for coaches:
• While working in small groups to make sure players remain active all the time, line players up in 3s or 4s.
• Players will run forward passing and catching with two hands. Players start with a wide pass and return with a narrow pass.
• Players should catch with their hands out towards the ball and fingers spread, catching the ball early.
• Turn their head towards their team mate and see the target they want to hit.
Push the ball across the body and finish with hands towards target, reaching out and following through