Pass to a Pal

• Keep the main boundary and end zones in place and add internal cones only.
• Put about ten rugby balls out at pitch-side — one per pair, one per group, one per team.
• Set out several cone gates spread well apart for Gate to a Pal.
• Mark four relay lanes with a start line and a finish line on the opposite side.
• Set out four home bases around the outside and gather about 20 safe treasure items in the middle.
• Pre-size tag belts and have two colours of bibs ready for the final game.

1. 1PAWS Welcome & Recap0–4 min · 4 minWarm up and remember passing

   How it works

   1. Welcome the pack and recap running into space and escaping defenders.
   2. Introduce passing, moving and helping teammates.
   3. Ask which way a rugby pass normally goes: sideways or backwards.
   4. Keep the explanation brief.

   Coaching focus · “PAWS!”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children in the normal coaching area.

   Coaching detail

   “READY!” · “Today we pass to a pal!”

   Commands

   1. Coach: “PAWS!” — Children: “READY!”
   2. “Freeze Paws!” — Stop and listen

   Safety

   • Keep this recap short — not a technical explanation.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Welcome the group back.
   2. Recap: “Last week we learned how to run into space and escape defenders.”
   3. Introduce today's mission: “Today we're learning how to pass, move and help our teammates.”
   4. Ask: “Which way should a rugby pass normally go?” — Sideways or backwards. Keep it brief.
2. 2Partner Pups4–11 min · 7 minPass to a partner

   How it works

   1. Start partners close together, passing to each other.
   2. After a few successful passes, take a small step apart.
   3. If the ball drops, move closer and carry on.
   4. Nobody is out.

   Coaching focus · “Show your hands”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Pair of children
   • Rugby ball
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Cone
   • Coach

   Player icons are representative — use the group numbers in the instructions.

   Setup & equipment

   1. Put children into pairs.
   2. One rugby ball per pair where possible.
   3. Spread pairs around the main playing area with plenty of space.

   Coaching detail

   “Look at your pal” · “Aim for their hands” · “Soft hands”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • After passing, the child takes a couple of sideways steps into a new space before receiving the return pass.

   Level it up: Pass, then side-step into new space before the return pass.

   Safety

   • Keep pairs well spaced.
   • Children look before passing.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Partners pass the ball backwards and forwards to each other.
   2. Start close together.
   3. After a few successful passes, take a small step further apart.
   4. If the ball is dropped, simply move closer and carry on — nobody is out.
3. 3Pass & Move11–19 min · 8 minPass, then find a new space

   How it works

   1. Pass to a teammate.
   2. Move straight away to a new empty space.
   3. The receiver passes to someone else, then moves too.
   4. Keep the message simple: “Pass it — then move.”

   Coaching focus · “Call their name”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Group of 4–5 in own area
   • Rugby ball
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Solid arrow = passer moves to new space

   Setup & equipment

   1. Split children into groups of four or five.
   2. One rugby ball per group.
   3. Each group works inside its own small area.

   Coaching detail

   “Show your hands” · “Pass and move” · “Find new space”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Add a try line: after three successful passes, one player can carry the ball over the try line to score. No defenders.

   Level it up: After three passes, one player runs the ball over a try line.

   Safety

   • Keep groups clearly separated.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. One child passes to a teammate.
   2. Straight after passing, they move to a new empty space.
   3. The receiver passes to someone else and also moves.
   4. One message only: “Pass it — then move.”
4. 4Gate to a Pal19–28 min · 9 minPass through the gates

   How it works

   1. Move around together in pairs.
   2. Stand on opposite sides of an available gate.
   3. Pass through the gate for your partner to catch and score a point.
   4. Find another gate together; this is not a race.

   Coaching focus · “Find an empty gate”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Gate (two cones)
   • Pair either side of a gate
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Solid arrow = move to another open gate
   • Coach

   Player icons are representative — use the group numbers in the instructions.

   Setup & equipment

   1. Create several cone gates around the playing area, spread well apart.
   2. Children work in pairs with one ball.

   Coaching detail

   “Look at your teammate” · “Show your hands” · “Pass, then move”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Temporarily close one or two gates — children must look for another available gate. No defenders.

   Level it up: Close one or two gates.

   Safety

   • Keep gates spread out enough to reduce collisions.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Pairs move around the area together.
   2. To score a point: one child moves to one side of a gate, their partner to the opposite side.
   3. The ball is passed through the gate and the teammate catches it.
   4. They move together to find another gate. This is not a race — find space and complete a good pass.
5. 5Pickle's Pack Relay28–38 min · 10 minRace and pass in teams

   ⚑ Fun team race

   How it works

   1. Pass backwards through every pair of hands.
   2. When the ball reaches the back, that child runs to the front.
   3. Repeat to move the team across the pitch; everyone else stays mostly still while passing.
   4. Finish when the whole team has crossed the line.

   Coaching focus · “Pass it back”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Finish line
   • Team of 4–5 in own lane, behind start line
   • Dashed arrow = pass backwards down the line
   • Solid arrow = back player runs to front

   Setup & equipment

   1. Split children into groups of four or five.
   2. Each team stands in a straight line behind a start line, in its own clearly separated lane.
   3. Mark a finish line on the opposite side of the playing area.
   4. One rugby ball per team, starting with the child at the front.

   Coaching detail

   “Ready hands” · “Move to the front” · “Help your pack”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • None needed at first. If very easy, slightly increase the distance between children in each line. No defenders.

   Safety

   • Keep team lanes clearly separated so runners moving to the front do not collide with another team.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. The front child passes the ball backwards to the next child; it travels back through every pair of hands.
   2. When the ball reaches the back, that child runs to the front of the line and becomes the new front player.
   3. The passing starts again — each time, the team moves forward across the pitch.
   4. The challenge finishes when the whole team has crossed the finish line. Children stay mostly still while passing; only the back child runs.

   Can be a friendly race — praise teamwork and good passing, not just finishing first.

   Dropped ball? Pick it up and carry on from that position.

6. 6Spike's Treasure Pass38–47 min · 9 minPass to collect the treasure

   ⚑ No defenders

   How it works

   1. Complete three passes safely within your team.
   2. The third receiver runs to the middle and collects one treasure item.
   3. Bring it directly back to the home base, then start passing again.
   4. Play for a set time and count the treasure.

   Coaching focus · “Three passes!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Team of 5 in home base
   • Rugby ball
   • Treasure area (safe items)
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Solid arrow = runner out · dotted = back home
   • Coach

   Setup & equipment

   1. Four team home bases around the outside of the main area; about five children per team.
   2. Safe treasure in the middle — flat cones, beanbags or soft markers. No hard or small loose objects.
   3. One rugby ball per team.

   Coaching detail

   “Show your hands!” · “Help your team!” · “Bring home the treasure!”

   Safety

   • Teams stay in their own home areas while passing.
   • Only the treasure runner enters the middle.
   • Collect one item and return directly.
   • Space running routes safely.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. The team completes three passes — no fixed formation, just pass safely between teammates.
   2. The child receiving the third pass becomes the treasure runner.
   3. They run to the middle, collect one piece of treasure and bring it back to their home base.
   4. The team starts again with the ball. Play for a set time, then count the treasure.

   Keep the treasure area free from defenders for Years 1–2.

7. 7Big Pup Tag Game47–56 min · 9 minPlay tag rugby with passing

   How it works

   1. Choose one 10v10 match, or two 5v5 matches only if both can be safely supervised.
   2. Ground the ball over the try line to score.
   3. When tagged, stop; the defender returns the tag, the player reattaches it, then passes to a teammate.
   4. Pass sideways or backwards, not forwards.
   5. A try counts only after at least one attacking pass during that possession.

   Coaching focus · “Help your teammate”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   Option A — One game · 10 v 10

   Option B — Two games · 5 v 5 on each pitch

   Use only when both games can be supervised safely.

   Player icons are representative — use the team numbers shown above.

   • Attacking team
   • Defending team
   • Try line / end zone
   • Coach
   • Arrow = movement

   Setup & equipment

   1. Use the main pitch and end zones already in place.
   2. Two colours of bibs.

   Coaching detail

   “Call for the ball” · “Pass and move” · “Find space”

   Simplified rules

   1. Ground the ball over the try line to score.
   2. A defender removes one tag to stop the ball carrier.
   3. The tagged player stops.
   4. The defender returns the tag.
   5. The player reattaches it.
   6. The ball is passed to a teammate.
   7. No tackling, pushing, grabbing or blocking.

   Ideas & variations

   Option A — One 10v10 match

   • Use when one closely supervised game is more appropriate.

   Option B — Two 5v5 matches

   • Use only when the coach can safely see and supervise both games.

   Safety

   • No tackling, pushing, grabbing or blocking.
   • Keep every playing area in your view.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Same game format as Weeks 1 and 2. Choose the match format below on the day.
   2. Week 3 challenge: a try only counts after the attacking team has completed at least one pass during that possession.
   3. Week 3 focus: passing to teammates, moving after passing, calling for the ball, helping the ball carrier, sideways/backwards passing.

   The one-pass rule is the only extra Week 3 rule — no bonus points or tactics.

8. 8PAWS Huddle & Collection56–60 min · 4 minCelebrate and tidy up together

   How it works

   1. Ask how to help a teammate who has the ball.
   2. Praise teamwork and kindness.
   3. Finish with “Once a Pup…” — “ALWAYS A PUP!”.

   Coaching focus · “How can you help your teammate?”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children.
   2. Collect rugby balls, tag belts, cones and treasure equipment.

   Coaching detail

   “Well done, Pack!” · “Once a Pup…”

   Safety

   • Follow the school's authorised collection and handover procedure.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Ask one short question: “How can you help your teammate when they have the ball?” (e.g. call for the ball, show your hands, move into space, pass to them, encourage them).
   2. Praise teamwork and kindness.
   3. Finish with the closing chant.

   Closing chant

   • Coach: “Once a Pup…”
   • Children: “ALWAYS A PUP!”

Total60 min

• Show their hands for the ball.
• Look towards their teammate.
• Pass sideways or backwards.
• Catch safely.
• Move after passing.
• Find space.
• Work together.
• Encourage teammates.
• Use passing during a simple tag rugby game.
• Main message: Pass → move → help your pal.

• 20 tag belts
• 40 tags plus a few spares
• 10–12 rugby balls
• 35–40 cones or flat markers
• Approximately 20 safe treasure items (cones, beanbags or soft markers)
• 2 colours of bibs
• Whistle
• First-aid kit
• Access to drinking water

Main area · Continue using one main rectangular area of roughly 20m × 25m (a flexible guide) with two end zones.

• Keep the external boundaries and end zones in place wherever practical — minimise full-pitch resets.
• Use internal cones for pair areas, small passing zones, passing gates, Pack Relay team lanes, treasure team bases, the central treasure area and the final game layout.
• Treasure is made from normal safe coaching equipment — no specialist kit needed.
• The whole session must stay manageable for one coach and up to 20 children.