In rugby, a type of football game, two opposing teams attempt to score points by kicking an oval ball into the ground beyond their opponent's goal line or kicking it through their goal posts. Players can tackle their opponents to keep them from moving the ball down the field. Kids who want to play the game will need to learn specific skills, including passing, kicking, positional play and running. Because kids have short attention spans -- and often do not want to continue playing games they don't like -- rugby games can help coaches teach these skills in a fun, relaxed way.
Tag Rugby
Rugby involves full contact tackling that can leave behind bumps and bruises, even on adult players. Tag rugby teaches the basics of the game, without the risks involved in the more physical version of the game. In tag rugby, players wear belts with Velcro "tags" attached. Players tackle each other by removing a tag from their opponent's belt and shouting "tag."
Tiger Tails
Tiger tails teaches core rugby skills, according to "Better Rugby Coaching" magazine, and you can even play it indoors on bad weather days. Give each child a tag belt or "tail" to tuck into the back of their shorts. On your signal, children run around and try to collect each other's tails. When they capture a tail, they must put it beside their own in their shorts. Players cannot stop others from taking their tails by grabbing onto it. Instead, they need to turn, sprint away and use other evasion techniques. When the coach calls time, the player with the most tails wins.
Kabaddi
Kabaddi, an invasion game that hails from Bangladesh, can serve as a rugby training drill or as a finisher after a rugby training session. Split the playing area in two and assign one side to each time. On the signal, a player crosses over into the other one's side, touches an opposing player and returns to his side -- all while holding his breath. The other team can stop the player by capturing and holding him, or by pushing him outside their side. "Better Rugby Coaching" recommends assigning seven players or less to each time, to keep the game safe for children.
Rugby Octopus
Play rugby octopus to improve children's defense and decision-making skills. Set up a 15-meter long by 10-meter wide field, keeping it as narrow as possible. Line players up at one end facing back down the playing field. Designate two players as the "defenders." Their job is to stand in the middle and tag runners trying to make it to the other side On your signal, players try to get to the other side without the defenders catching them. If tagged, players become "octopuses" and must stand in the same spot until the end of the game. The octopuses cannot move, but they can tag other players if they come close enough. Continue playing until there are no runners left.
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