Activities for U8 players
Most under 8s, just like U7s players have very little appreciation of the game of rugby. However, if they have already been playing tag for a year, they will at least understand about “tag” rules, if not the principles of play.
However, the challenges remain the same as for under 7s: keeping the players engaged in rugby-like activities which give them a taste of the game.
Spend lots of time on simple games which develop:
- Evasive skills
- Ball handling, with some catch and pass
- Team awareness
Remember that the players are likely:
- To be selfish
- To lack concentration
- To be difficult put into ordered drills or activities.
So, don’t fret too much if they don’t seem to conform to a team. As long as they are having fun, and the session isn’t too long, then your job is done.
For warm up games try:
For evasive and awareness activities try:
For ball handling games and activities try:
Click here for a guide to coaching U8s and tag rugby.
Click here for refereeing and game coaching tips.
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills
With younger players catching the ball can be a major issue, even without pressure and opposition. Use this graduated exercise to improve their confidence to catch. MORE
in Mini tag, Rugby coaching, Rugby drills
"There’s not much incentive to be a third receiver. The Law of the Jungle suggests that if you want to touch the ball, you get close to it." MORE
in Mini tag, Rugby coaching, Tips
Know what children want and then change your way of coaching to keep them coming back for more. MORE
in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills, U10+
Unless your players get into position quickly, they won’t be able to run onto a pass at speed and attack space. This exercise gets them realigning fast so they can master this challenging skill. MORE
in Attack, EasiCoach
An U8 mini tag activity to help players to understand how to run forward to score more tries. MORE
in Attack, EasiCoach
U8 MINI-TAG | ATTACKING 2 ACTIVITY: PASS THE PARCEL Split your players into pairs. Put each pair about 1m apart, facing each other with a ball. They should be about 5m from the try line. Start by having the players pass the ball to each other. When you shout “go”, the players with the ball race... MORE
in Attack, EasiCoach
U8 MINI-TAG | ATTACKING 3 ACTIVITY: RUN TO SPACE Divide your players into two teams of four – make one team attackers, the other defenders. Position the teams at opposite ends of the area – attackers start behind the end line and the defenders start in the middle of their half of the area. Give a... MORE
in Attack, EasiCoach
U8 MINI-TAG | ATTACKING 4 ACTIVITY: BEAT THE DEFENDERS Three defenders stand 8m apart in a line down the centre of the area. Four attackers start outside the area at one end facing the defenders. One attacker starts with a ball. The ball carrier runs up the area past the first defender with the other attackers... MORE
in Defence, EasiCoach
U8 MINI-TAG | DEFENDING 1 ACTIVITY: TAG THE RUNNERS Put a defender in the middle of the area. Put a group of three attackers on each corner of the area and number the groups 1 to 4. The aim is for the attackers to run to the opposite try line without being tagged by the defender.... MORE
in Defence, EasiCoach
U8 MINI-TAG | DEFENDING 2 ACTIVITY: 1V1 DEFENCE A defender with a ball stands on one side of the area in the centre gate. An attacker stands opposite, also in the centre gate. The defender passes the ball to the 1 attacker. On receiving the ball, the attacker runs forward and tries to get through one... MORE
