This entertaining game helps players understand that although they each have their own important jobs to do on the pitch, they should never forget that the decisions they make must always be for the good of the team.

What you need for this game

• 20 Players
• 1 Ball
• 6 Cones

Set-up

Use cones to mark out a playing area measuring 60m x 40m. Use more cones to mark a halfway line, and use both ends as try lines, as shown.

Rules

This game should be played to regular two-handed touch rugby rules. No blocking is allowed by the attackers.

What you do as coach

Divide your players into two teams of 10. Each player must pair up with a member of the opposition. You can either choose players you think should be paired together or let the players do this themselves.

Nominate a team to begin as attackers and give them the ball.

On your whistle, the attackers start the game by taking a tap from the halfway line, with the defenders positioned 10m back in their own half.

Although played like a regular game of two-handed touch rugby, the key difference in this game is that players are only allowed to mark and tackle their “pair”, i.e. player 1 can only tackle player 1 from the opposition, and so on.

Players are penalised if they mark or tackle someone other than their pair.

• Two teams of 10.
• Drop to floor when tackled.
•  Each player paired with opposition player.
• Players can only mark or tackle the man they’re paired with.

Explain-When defending, a player will need to mark his attacking “pair” closely as he is the only person able to tackle that player. Explain this to the players.

Note-When in attack, a player will need to try and escape his defensive shadow and make room for himself to receive the ball. Note who achieves this.

Observe-This intense man-marking should help players realise that they have individual responsibilities within the team structure. Who responds well?