Your approach to coaching under 10s for the first time

Rucking is the main new skill for the players at under 10s and it will one v one.

Work on CAUSE not EFFECT.

CAUSES of a ruck forming

• Not avoiding contact - can you improve your players passing before contact, offloading and footwork?

CAUSES of allowing the opposition to challenge for the ball

• Ball placement - good ball placement means it’s easier to win the ruck ball because it’s harder for the opposition to get over the ball

CAUSES of losing the battle for the space over the ball

• Not getting low, square and first over the ball

For younger players, rucking is an unnatural body position to get into. Without strong core muscles, athletic awareness and developed balance, they will arrive poorly and fall over lots.

Lots of low intensity skill work in game scenarios will build their confidence and technique. All players need to learn to ruck.

Here are some activities to help out:

Size matters, but Newton helps

A good big ‘un will beat a good small ‘un. The lumpy players can dominate rucks. Yet, if they are arrive high and slow, their force can be lower than a small player who accelerates into the contact area.

In simple terms a slow, heavy mass can be knocked back by faster, lighter mass.

If that player can stop the larger player and then continue apply strong forces, they will win the contact area.

Balance training

Mix up training to cover all the key skills over the season.

For example, for a one hour session

• 15 minutes on one core skill (like passing, tackling, rucking).
• 10 minutes on a work-on - an area which was not functioning last week
• 15 minutes on decision making small-sided games (like 4 v 4 touch rugby)
• 20 minutes on the game

Here's some examples of exercises:





For more on the other skills you might need at this level go to: