Rugby: Scarecrow Tag

Once the coach has kicked the ball in to start players play a normal rules game of touch rugby. The only difference is with the scoring: 1 point for a try - plus 1 x bonus point for an offload within 10 metres and 2 x bonus points for offload with 5 metres of the try line. If no passes within 15 metres of the try line then the score does not count.

Play 5 v 3. The aim of the game is for teams with unequal number of players to defend and attack. Possesion is changed if one of the following :- A try is scored, there is an interception or three people are tagged. Players must ensure that they replace tags when they are removed. If at any stage the ball goes loose any team can pick up the ball.

This game is designed to introduce passing at moving targets on the run. Set up a field approximately 15m long x 10m wide. (relative to the number of players, however, don’t make it wider until the players are capable of running and passing well). Tell all the players to line up at one end of the field facing in to the field. Explain that they are going to attempt to run down the middle to the other side when the coach calls ‘bullrush’. Choose 2 players and give them a ball each and explain to them they are to try and pass the ball at the running players. If a running player is hit by a pass on the full (without bouncing), that player joins the passers (give that players a ball for the next round). Try and get the players used to passing at the stomach rather than the legs and head, this is good for later passing skills. When all the players have run from one end to the other they have to wait at the other end until the coach calls ‘bullrush’ and then they are allowed to run again. This is repeated until there are no more runners and then the game starts again. R1

Once an attacker is touched they must offload within one second. You can start the game so that players have to pass the ball in front of defenders and then later progress the drill and ask them to pass from behind the defence, by taking two steps past the defender, before offloading. Question players on what they consider to be the most effective option when attacking?

Players work in groups of 5, with 1 ball per group - starting in a single file. The first player runs out 5m then stops, turns slightly and gives a little pop pass to player 2 who runs out another 5m then stops, turns slightly and gives a little pop pass to player 3.

Groups of 5 1 Ball per group Players race to a line 10m away and back to their own group to hand over to the next player in the relay. 1. Run to the line and score a try then run back. 2. Pass the ball around the body twice whilst running. 3. Throw the ball in the air, and clap before catching and returning to the group. 4.Pass the ball between the legs whilst striding to the line.

The aim of this game is to increase player defence and decision making. Set up a field about 15m long by 10m wide. Keep it narrow to give he defenders a better chance at catching the runners. Tell all the players to line up at one end facing back down the playing field.  Choose 2 players to stand in the middle and tell them they are the defenders who have to tag any runners before they reach the other side.  Explain to the runners they have to run from one end to the other without getting tagged by the defenders.  If a runner gets tagged they must stop exactly where they were tagged and stand on that spot. They are called octopuses and cannot move until the game is finished.  The octopuses can, however, tag runners if the come close enough to reach. This continues until there are no more runners and the last runner wins. The key is to make sure the octopuses stand still while trying to tag runners. R1

Split group into 2 - Batters and fielders. Setup as shown above. Each batsman will either pass or throw the ball into the fielding area and run around the bases immediately to score. Nobody can be caught out. To get a batter out, fielders must get the ball to a player standing in the bowling area whilst the batter is running between the bases. If a batter reaches the safety of a base, before the ball reaches the bowling area, that player cannot run again until the ball is passed by the next batter.

Groups of 5 Grids 5 m x 5 m All players wear Tags Nominated player attempts to tag other players. The defender must give the Tag back again as soon as it has been removed. When tagged, a player must replace the Tag on his / her belt then stand still with both arms outstretched. To make a tagged player free, another player must run under the outstretched arms. Work for 1 minute then change the defender.

Grids 10m x 10m. 1 Ball per group. Groups of 5 Players take it in turns to be the defender in the middle (4 tackles then change). The attackers take turns to try and run past the defender and score a try. 1 tag - Defender scores 1 point. Score a try - attacker scores 1 point. If tagged the attacker returns to the start and the next player goes.

Groups of 5 1 Ball per group. Ball at the front of the group. The first player runs out to the 5 meter line then stops, turns slightly and gives a little pop pass to player 2 and holds the ball for player 2, who then runs on for 5 meters and stops, turns slightly and gives a little pop pass. When player 5 gets the ball a try is scored and the group will have travelled 25 meters in total in a straight line. When the group has finished they will be standing in a straight line in a chain 5 meters apart.

8 in each group. 6 in the playing area and 2 outside it. The six in the playing area play a 4 v 2 against each other trying to pass the ball as many times as possible without getting tagged. The two players on the outside pass the ball to each other 25 times at which point both practices stop. The two players change places with players from the other practice.

You can play any version of touch you like, I'm going to suggest One Touch Off-Load - but you can change this to suit your training goals for the session ahead. Mark out your training area for the game, but include one or more Tabata training zones for your players (these zones don't have to be very big). If you only have one other person helping you - you might have only one zone, but if you have more assistant coaches or helpers standing around, create more zones - you'll find they will be used. Split your players into two teams, giving them bibs if needed. Keep your law briefing, brief - telling the players the laws of the version of touch you have decided to play. Tell them that as an addition to the normal laws, we now have a sin binning for mistakes e.g. you may decide that all mistakes are sent to the sin bin (The Tabata Zone), you might just focus on forward passes, or penalties. My point is that you can tailor this to suit your coaching goals. Players sent to the sin bin will be there unit sent back by the supervising coach. Don't forget to swap the defense and the attack. Also you can focus the sin binning on the defence for not meeting your defensive goals. Using the Tabata Zones Small areas with one coach/helper. The Tatbata protocol is often 8 periods of intense 20 second activity - with 10 seconds of rest in between (sound simple - try it!). Tell the sin binned player they have 20 seconds to complete as many press-ups as they can, then give them 10 seconds to rest. Repeat 8 times, or reduce to a number of repetitions that work for you and your players. When the player has completed their reps - return them to the game. What you could do in the zones: Press ups, Lunges, Burpees, Sit ups, Etc.

2 x 20m x 10m Channels 5 Defenders in each channel, spaced 5m apar The attacking team of 5 players must beat each defender in turn by running or passing and score a try once all 5 defenders have been beaten. Defenders are only allowed to move sideways.

Change the shape of the defenders. Instead of a single line, one behind the other, try 1 then 3 then 1 or 1 2 2.

2 Catchers. Everyone else Runners.  This is a warm up game that is used to raise the heart rates of the children.  Using half the pitch, nominate 2 catchers, the aim of the game is to touch as many as the runners before they reach the otherside of the pitch. If a runner get touched or tagged, thye join the catchers.  Last man standing.  Encourgae the kids to undertsand the concept of touch or tags.