Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the game!
Line-outs - scenario is that in a line out, the lifters hold the jumper up for a lengthy time - is there a law or regulation covers this? Should the lifters/jumper be allowed to do this or should he be lifted and lowered immediately upon receipt of the ball? Thanks
Offside confusion - I have been coaching mini rugby in Scotland for just over a year and had just got used to the idea that the ball is the off side line. Now under the new SRU law variations it is the same as the adult game. Can someone assist with the follwing scenario - A defender comes forward to tackle the ball carrier. The ball carrier side steps the defender and carries on going forward. The defender turns to give chase only to find that the ball carrier has passed the ball backwards across his path in attempt to reach his team-mates. If the defender catches the ball is he off-side? Would the answer to this question change if the defender was on the right side of the ball at the time the interception was made even though he was beyond the ball carrier at the time which the pass was made?
My fowards seem afraid to ruck and stand around the ruck while in the way of the scrum half trying to get the ball out to the backs. They also don't support the ball carrier while he is being tackled. Please help me with any suggestions!!!
Hi, I'm coaching my second team union (as i have injured my knee and cant play for the next few months) and the team consists of mainly league players, so they are rugby minded but will need help getting to grips with union - lineouts scrums when to and not to kick where to kick to etc. Any tips / ideas would be great.
What drills would anybody reccomend to encourage forward running in an u8s side,whilst keeping it fun?Some players tend to crab along the pitch.
Hi, I need help with this multiple-choice question from the world rugby laws test. When is the non-throwing scrum half offside when the ball is in a scrum?;1. When stepping ahead of the ball with either foot at the side the ball is thrown in2. When stepping ahead of the tunnel, but not the ball, at the side the ball is thrown in3. When stepping ahead of the hindmost foot at the side the ball is not thrown in4. When moving away from the scrum and not retreating 5m behind the scrum5. When moving away from the scrum and remaining ahead of the hindmost foot in the scrum
Some of my U9s players, who are experiencing contact for their first season, are showing reticence in tackling - how do you coach or get through the fear factor/element?
I am curently helping coach an U14 team, my focus being on forward play and conditioning. As a general rule, for conditioning I only get the lads to work against body weight for resistance training. Some players (and parent?)are eager to get into the gym and start to use weights as means of resistance. Obviously at this age the level of physical maturity of players is vast, boys to men, hence each individual must be assessed. I have done some reseaech which would indicate that the use of weights for 14-15 year old is to be encouraged (Irish RFU), but I am keen not to get the lads into the gym to early. Does any one have and ideas on this subject or can point me to any research to support either idea.
in more ways than one
The isolated ball carrier is rugby's spookiest turnover. Here is the five-step fix, plus drills that rebuild support lines fast.
Tacklers are aiming lower, so carriers who dip late put heads at risk. Teach footwork, a strong early body height and leg drive to win the collision safely.
The hooker's brake foot moved from trial into full law in July 2026. Here is how to coach it so your front row stays stable, legal and safe.
Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.