Fun footwork skills rugby game for young players

Set up rugby coaching game

• Area: 10m square.

• Equipment: One ball per four players.

• Players: Eight – two teams with one defender and three attackers in each.

The rules

• Divide the players into teams of four, each team comprising one tackler (the "alien") and three astronauts.

• The astronauts have to move and pass the ball among themselves. The alien has to make as many tag or touch tackles (on the ball carriers only) as they can in 30 seconds.

• The ball carrier must pass as soon as they are tackled.

Scoring

One point for each tackle.

What to call out

• "Reach with both hands."

• "Try to anticipate where the ball carrier is going."

• "Shout 'TACKLE' when you catch someone."

Rugby coaching tips

Make sure you don't allow tacklers to get frustrated if they can't catch an attacker with the ball. Swap the teams around.

Click the link to order a copy of Fun Mini Rugby Games, designed especially for young players and aimed at improving agility, footwork, ball handling, tag and touch tackling, and teamwork skills.

Click the link for another fun rugby game to help you coach core skills to young players.