Nick Wilkinson was asked to devise a rugby transition programme for a school with 180 new Year 7 children (U12s). He had two days, so split them in half and did the following two-hour session with each group of 90 pupils.
As part of my role as the Rugby Development Officer for Sevenoaks Rugby, I went into a school in the area to help children move from their sport provision in their previous schools (primary schools) to sport in this school – a non-selective state secondary school.
I had 90 children in each two hour session. We had two full-sized pitches, one ball per four players and bibs. For the activities, I just used one pitch and then included the other pitch when we played games. I had around five other staff members to support. Because of this, we had to let the children organise themselves as much as possible while we walked around, supporting and suggesting ideas.
By the end of the session we had one full contact game for the boys, one for the girls and then some touch games for those players who didn’t want to play contact.
I started by gathering together the whole group. I asked who had played rugby before, noting those who did to help me with demonstrations.
Game 1: Interceptors
We split into 2 v 2 with a ball. Using a demonstration group, I showed them the game of interceptors. It’s really a game of piggy-in-the-middle and helps because most are already familiar with the rules.
The players found some space and played, aiming to complete 10 consecutive passes. There were no boundaries, apart from staying inside the large pitch. With 90 players on the pitch, they didn’t run too far.
After a few minutes, we put in a progression that the ball couldn’t be passed above head height. The key point was that the players had to work off the ball to find space to receive passes. We didn’t mind if players didn’t use traditional rugby passes, and naturally, some of the netball players were push passing.
We ran this for no more than 10 minutes, with the coaching group of four moving through to suggest and encourage.
Game 2: Rugby Kabaddi
We joined the groups together to play a 4 v 4 version of Kabaddi. Each group had to find a line on the pitch, like a 22m line or halfway line. The defending four stood on one side of the line holding hands. These were the rules:
- One ball carrier crosses the line and tries to touch a defender with the ball.
- Once touched, the ball carrier aims to return over the line without being two-hand touched by the defender they’ve touched.
- The defence get a point if they make a touch. The attack a point if the ball carrier returns safely or the chain of defenders becomes broken, before they are touched by an attacker/ball carrier.
- Each attacker has a go before the attack and defence swap.
Rugby Kabaddi progressions
- The ball carrier or defenders cannot run backwards, only walk. This stops them falling over so much.
- The defence cannot encircle the attack but can go through 180 degrees and block the attack by positioning themselves between the Ball Carrier and the line they are trying to return to. If they block the attacker, they get a point.
- All the defenders can chase, but only once one of them is touched by the ball.
- Two attackers can come forward with one ball. The ball carrier can pass.
- The defenders become unchained, and the two attackers start on the opposite side to the defenders. That means the defenders are between the finish line and the attackers.
- Because the previous progression tends to favour the defence, then add in more attackers. Remember the defence can only chase (or try to touch the ball carrier) once the ball carrier touches a defender.
Finishing
The last 30 minutes of the session was split into groups playing games. We asked every player which version of the game they would like to play: full contact or touch.
There were 60 boys playing contact rugby, rotating around, and 20 girls playing their own contact game. The rest were playing a mixed game of touch rugby. On the second pitch, we also had a game of kicking tennis going on at the same time.
I am pleased to report that two months on from this, we have 70 players still involved.
THANKS To..
Kent Sports for supporting this scheme and Richard Cheetham (@twowheelprof) for Rugby Kabbadi
Key coaching outcomes
- Lots of smiling faces during the two hours.
- Letting the groups self-organise their games.
- Plenty of opportunities for peer coaching through demonstrations.
- Not much time between each game or progression.
- Letting the players explore RFU’s "CARDS" initiative to create better players through: Creativity, Awareness, Resilience, Decisions and Self-organisation.