Two support games

Here are two games which challenge all the players’ skills, but their main focus is on the role of support. In one game, they will have no depth and in the other, they will have very little time to realign.

CHALLENGE 1

Score tries when the support players have very little depth.

SET UP

A 7m long box (perhaps longer for older players), 30m wide, with a 3m no-go zone.

GAME

1. One team stands just in front of their no-go zone with a ball opposite the other team, who are also in front of their no-go zone. The no-go zone also acts an in-goal area.
2. Game starts with a free pass.
3. Full rugby, including kicking.
4. All restarts are like the start of the game.
5. Score a point for a try and a point if an opposition player runs into their no-go zone area. If they are defending and a tackle pushes them into the zone, then that doesn’t count.
6. Play first to five.

Questions to challenge the players

• What are the best words to use to communicate?
• Outline your role depending on where the ball carrier is.
• Which passes work best?
• How can you take more risks?
• How do the rewards balance out those risks?

CHALLENGE 2

Score tries when the support player have very little time to realign

SET UP

A 15m by 30m pitch (adjust to age group).

GAME

1. Split into three teams, and then have a game of two teams v one. E.g 4 v 2, 6 v 3
2. The attacking team start 5m from their own try line, with the defence 5m away.
3. Play touch rugby.
4. If touched, the ball carrier must go ground. 

1. They have two seconds to pop the ball up OR

1. Three seconds from once the ball is on the ground for another player to run over the ball and the next player to pass away.
2. Any failure to complete either task means the attack ends.
3. After five attacks rotate the defending team with one of the attacking teams.

WAYS TO FEEDBACK/NUDGE DURING THE GAME

• Have a 10-second tactical break. Count down from 10, and then restart the game.
• Make one player the “coach’s pet”. Make suggestions to that one player as the game progresses, but out of ear shot. They must communicate those ideas to the team. For example, “can the ball carrier make more yards before they go to ground?”