Switch touch rugby game

• Set up a 15 by 40 metre pitch and play almost any variation of touch or tag rugby.
  
  
• Start playing with the pitch long and narrow.
  
  
• As one team attacks, call "SWITCH". All the players immediately have to change from playing lengthwise (on a long, narrow pitch) to widthwise (on a short, wide pitch). Don't let the game stop.
  
  
• Call "SWITCH" at regular intervals during the game, so the players constantly have to reorganise themselves in attack and defence.
  
  
• Shouting out "SWITCH" when a player is about to score is a good way of checking that both sets of players are focused on the situation and remain ready to act.

Key rugby coaching tip

Initially, think about conditioning the game so that tackles are slowed down. For instance, the tackled player has to go to ground and present or pop the ball. Let the players get used to the variation of touch you are playing.

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