WHY USE IT

These games are quick to set up and the rules very obvious. The solutions to win aren’t, though, and are different for both teams. They make your players think.

set up

Game 1: A 30m x 20m pitch (or similar), with a coloured cone at each end to mark different try lines.

Game 2: As above, but no cone.

HOW TO PLAY

GAME 1: Play a normal game of touch (or tackling) rugby. For touch, it’s a two-handed touch and the ball carrier has to pass afterwards. Allow five touches (or similar) before a turnover. Score as normal. However, if a team scores in the narrower area, they get to keep the ball. That means you restart the tackle count and start from where they scored. Note that a player can run through the wide area and score in the narrow area. Have a deadball line of about 5m, though.

GAME 2: Play touch rugby, but the rules are different for each team. The team scoring in the wide area passes behind them when they are tackled. They have a limit of six touches before a turnover. The team scoring in the narrow area have three seconds to pass, or it’s a turnover. When a try is scored, the ball is left on the ground and the other team picks it up to play. That can mean a long or short distance to go to score a try. When an infringement occurs, put the ball on the ground and count down three seconds before the attacking team starts with a pass off the ground.

Game 1

• Normal touch rugby. If the attack scores in the ‘keep ball’ zone, they retain possession and attack the other way
• Additional rule: Players can run through the wide area and touch down behind the ‘keep ball’ line. Include a deadball line though!
• Play first to five to add some frisson to the game

Game 2 - blue attack



 

 

• Blues attack the wide line
• If touched, they pass behind them. They have a limit of six touches before a turnover

Game 2 - white attack

• Whites attack the narrow line
• If touched, they have three seconds to pass – they can keep running but cannot score if touched
• After a score, the team who scored leave the ball on the try line, and the defenders pick it up to play