What are the new skills for U9s

The main new areas at under 9s are:

Attack: Simple decision making, to help players develop a pass before contact.

Handling after contact, because after the tackle, the next player must pass the ball.

• Clearance passes (passing from the ground)
• Tackle evasion
• Ball placement

Building tackling confidence

• Hold tackles (RFU rules)
• Full tackles
• Tackle on-sides (getting onside after the tackle is made)

Core skills from TAG rugby

Don’t forget to use sessions from the TAG years to work on these core skills

• Short passing
• Support of the ball carrier
• Running onto the pass
• Evasion
• Line of defence

Good activities to use

Every session should have some tackling practice in it.

Try using Shoulder tackling for 5 minutes every week, with players starting at walking pace in the first few weeks.

Shoulder tackling

in Defence, EasiCoach

Get your players to tackle safely with either shoulder MORE

Then add in Grapple tackle.

Grapple tackle

in Defence, EasiCoach

Work on the strength of the grip in the tackle so that your tacklers can hold the ball carrier and then use their bodyweight to drag him down MORE

And use a session starter of touch rugby to get the players used to the core principles of attack.

Then, try Best support options to get the players thinking about continuity and support.

Best support options

in EasiCoach, Footwork and evasion

Get players used to getting into position to take the ball from a tackled player MORE