Game changer

Challenge players to react to the chance to have an extra player in attack and how to defend against it. It’s a quick game, so decisions will need sharp action.

No match has unequal numbers unless there’s a yellow card. But sometimes the attack has an overload as a tackler is temporarily indisposed. Replicate that with this game. The “changer” will be doing most of the thinking.

1. Put two teams of three about 2m apart and the game-changer with a ball in the middle.

1. You shout out a team colour and the game-changer passes to that team and becomes part of that team.
2. Key rule: Play normal rugby (or touch rugby) except that the game-changer cannot be tackled if he receives the ball in open play. He must be running onto the ball.
3. Because the game-changer starts in front of the play, the defence will want to close down the attack immediately and the attack will want to go forward. Play until the attack loses the ball or score a try.
4. Swap the game-changer after two or three goes.
5. Make sure the game-changer has a separate coloured bib on.

1. Develop with another box. This time the game-changer passes into either box and the game is played across the whole width.

Possible rule developments

• The game-changer can be tackled after two seconds.
• The game-changer can’t be tackled but can’t score.

TECHNIQUE

• Go forward in attack and in defence.