Get ready to restart

Young players don’t get into position to restart games well. Help players discover better solutions with these game-based activities.

CHALLENGE

Get your players to line up quickly and effectively to attack (or defend) from a restart, including tackles.

ACTIVITY

Split into two teams of about six a side.

Each team jogs from the corners of the try line they are defending and the nearest cone, so in a triangle.

When you shout “try”, each team lines up based on their nearest cone. The first team in the best position will receive the ball.

The team in possession start with a free pass.

Play touch rugby. If a player is touched, they can pass immediately or go to ground. If they do to ground, they can place or pop up the ball.

Play the game for six tackles to the attacking team. If there is a turnover (an infringement), the other team get three tackles. A tackle is counted if they can’t pass immediately.

KEY RULES

• To get the ball, a team must not have too many players crowded around the ball.
• They must also be spread out. They don’t need much depth.

ADDITIONAL RULES

• To restart effectively, a team must make two passes, not one.

• Shout “tackle”, and roll the ball into one of the boxes. One player reacts and falls on the ball and presents. The teams then play full contact from that point. You might want to make the pitch smaller.