Fun game to coach core rugby skills

How to play Tiger Tails

• Each tiger has a tag belt or “tail” tucked into the back of their shorts. The tail must be visible so that other tigers can grab it.
• The tigers run around inside the playing area, collecting each other’s tails by pulling them out of another tiger’s shorts.
  When a tiger collects a tail they add it to their own in their shorts. Other tigers can now collect however many tails they have.
• If a tail drops to the floor, any tiger can collect it. However, the first to touch the tail wins it to avoid a tug-of-war.
• Tigers cannot grip their tail to stop it being collected. They need to protect their tail by sprinting away, turning, using evasion skills and screening instead.
• The game can be played to a time limit (two minutes, for example) and see which tiger has the most tails at the end.

Set up game

Prepare a 40m by 30m playing area or small gym/games hall. Use tag belts (if available) or old bibs or strips of material for the tails. Player numbers can extend to a class or squad size.

Scoring

The tiger with the most tails in their shorts wins.

What to call out

• “Look for space and move into it.”
• “Take short steps when changing direction.”
• “Keep your head up to see what’s going on.”

For more games to coach rugby skills for young players, order a copy of Fun Mini Rugby Games, the easy-to-follow manual that helps you introduce the essential core rugby skills to young children in a fun, safe way.