Touch, Tag & Contact Rugby
Rugby for All Ages & Abilities
Programme Overview
The objective of this programme is to provide students with a basic knowledge, skills, and understanding of Contact & Touch Rugby. Students will improve hand-eye coordination as well as psycho-motor skills through modified mini-games.
Students will take home with them basic knowledge of the game such as the correct way to catch a rugby ball, pass a rugby ball, and tackle an opponent (in contact versions).
Suitable For
Ages 8 and up
Duration
1-2 hours per session
Group Size
14-30 participants
Equipment
All provided
What Students Will Learn
Touch Rugby Programme
Touch Rugby is a non-contact version of rugby where physical tackles are replaced by a simple touch. This makes the sport accessible, inclusive, and safe for all ages and genders.
Introduction to Touch
- • What is Touch Rugby?
- • Understanding the game objectives
- • Basic rules and gameplay
Warm-Up Activity: Shuttle Run
Objective: To develop agility
In teams of 6, children compete in a relay where the first player tags one witches hat at a time to 3 stations 10m apart. The next player must then do the same thing. The first team finished wins the game.
Stationary Team Line Pass
Objective: To develop passing and catching skills in a team situation
Players divide into teams and position themselves in the correct alignment (2-3m apart). Ball is then passed along the line until it reaches the end. The player at the end of the line runs around behind the other players and is then at the front of the line. The other members of the group shuffle along. Passing should be done to both the left and the right.
Zig Zag Pass
In a zig zag formation the ball starts at one end and is passed back down again. A competitive element can be added by seeing which group is finished first with no dropped balls, or how many passes can be made in a certain time limit.
Team Line Passing with Touch Skills
Aim: To develop basic catch and pass, player alignment and touchdown skills
The ball is passed along the line until it reaches the end. The player scores the touchdown over the line and runs to the opposite end of the line. The ball is again passed down the line after a shuffle towards the score line. The game finishes when each player has scored a touchdown.
Pair Tap and Pass
In pairs, players move down the field tapping the ball on the ground and passing to a moving player. The receiver of the ball then runs the passer onside (i.e. runs straight forward until they are in front of the original passer) who then taps on the ground and passes to the player. When the pair return to the starting point, the next pair begins.
Picking Up a Stationary Ball
Students form 2 lines about 15-20m apart facing each other. One player moves forward and picks up the ball placed 3-5m away and then runs and places the ball on the ground 3-5m in front of the opposition player and joins the opposite line. The first player of the opposing line then repeats this procedure and so on until all players have been through.
Contact Rugby Programme
For more advanced students, our Contact Rugby programme introduces the full version of the sport with proper tackling, rucking, mauling, scrums, and lineouts.
Rugby Passing Drills
Focus on improving basic passing and handling skills including basic pass, switch pass, pop pass, loop pass, miss pass, and offload pass from tackles
Passing Warm Up & Fitness Drills
Passing drills used as team warm up or fitness training, including team movement and coordination with emphasis on communication skills
Passing Games & Drills
Small-sided passing games adding time pressure and competitive elements, including offloading through tackles and from the floor
Footwork & Agility
Developing skills to side step, swerve, spin and offload the ball while avoiding tackles and keeping the ball moving
Tackling
Progressive tackling drills starting with basic techniques from the knees, building to standing and one-on-one full contact practices
Rucking
Techniques to get or keep possession of the ball after a player has been tackled in open play
Mauling
Used to regain control of the ball or unsettle the defense, with emphasis on keeping the ball moving
The Scrum
Used to restart play, building up from front row only and adding players until all eight are involved
Line Out
Skills to win the lineout including lifting techniques where safety is essential
Position-Specific Training
Explaining roles and demands of specific positions: prop forward, hooker, second row, back row, fly half, scrum half, centres, wingers and full back
Kicking Techniques
Seven different kicking techniques used defensively or offensively depending on the game situation
Rules & Organisation
Understanding rugby organisation, differences between rugby league and union, history of rugby, and safety considerations
Our comprehensive Touch and Contact Rugby programmes for all skill levels