Teamwork Makes the Try Work

• Keep the main boundary and end zones; mark the internal team areas with cones.
• Pre-size tag belts — Rescue Pups, All Pups Home and the final game all use them.
• Put pairs' balls together at pitch-side for Pack Pairs and Rescue Pups.
• Have four balls ready for Circle Dash, one per circle, with one cone a short distance outside each circle.
• Split the pitch into two kennels and place roughly half the balls and cones in each for Kennel Clear-Out.
• Have two colours of bibs ready for the final game and spare cones within reach.

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

   How it works

   1. Recap escaping defenders and introduce working together.
   2. Ask what a good teammate does.
   3. Accept simple ideas such as helping, sharing, passing and taking turns.
   4. Keep the recap very short.

   Coaching focus · “PAWS!”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children in the normal coaching area.

   Coaching detail

   “READY!” · “What does a good teammate do?”

   Commands

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

   Safety

   • Keep this recap short.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Recap: “Last week we learned how to escape defenders. Today our mission is to help our pack and work together.”
   2. Ask: “What does a good teammate do?” Accept simple answers — helps, shares, passes, encourages, takes turns.
   3. Keep this very short.
2. 2Pack Pairs4–11 min · 7 minWork together in pairs

   How it works

   1. Choose a Leader Pup and Shadow Pup in each pair.
   2. The leader jogs, side-steps and turns while the shadow follows.
   3. Swap roles after about 30–45 seconds.
   4. Add about one ball per pair; move together and pass on “SWAP!”.

   Coaching focus · “Stay with your pal”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Put children into pairs.
   2. Spread pairs throughout the main playing area.
   3. Begin without rugby balls.

   Coaching detail

   “Eyes up” · “Help each other” · “Ready hands”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Allow partners to pass while moving slowly. Do not add defenders.

   Safety

   • Keep pairs spaced apart and movements controlled.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. One child is the Leader Pup; their partner is the Shadow Pup.
   2. The Leader moves around the space — jogging, side-steps, turns, quick feet, changes of direction. The Shadow follows.
   3. After about 30–45 seconds, swap.
   4. Then introduce about one rugby ball per pair. Pairs move together and pass the ball between themselves when the coach calls “SWAP!”
3. 3Rescue Pups11–19 min · 8 minRescue your teammates

   How it works

   1. Pairs move together while taggers try to remove one tag.
   2. If tagged, freeze safely while the tagger returns the tag.
   3. Your partner makes a short rescue pass; catch it and reattach your tag.
   4. Both rejoin immediately; nobody is out and taggers rotate regularly.

   Coaching focus · “Stay with your pal!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Pair of children
   • Tag belt
   • Tagger (3)
   • Ringed = frozen child
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Rugby ball
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Keep children in pairs.
   2. One rugby ball per pair where possible.
   3. Choose 3 taggers.
   4. Everyone wears tag belts.

   Coaching detail

   “Rescue your teammate!” · “Show your hands!” · “Help your pack!”

   Safety

   • No tackling.
   • No pushing.
   • Tags handed directly back.
   • Frozen players remain standing and visible.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Pairs move around together. Taggers try to remove one tag.
   2. If a child is tagged: they freeze safely where they are and the tagger returns the tag.
   3. Their partner rescues them with one short pass; the frozen child catches the ball and reattaches their tag.
   4. Both immediately rejoin the game. Nobody is eliminated. Rotate taggers regularly.

   No progression needed — keep the game flowing.

4. 4Circle Dash19–28 min · 9 minRace around the circle

   How it works

   1. Pass around the circle through everyone’s hands.
   2. After everyone has received and passed, the final receiver becomes Dash Pup.
   3. Dash Pup runs around the team’s outside cone and returns to the circle.
   4. Restart passing and count successful rounds together; nobody is eliminated.

   Coaching focus · “Ready hands!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Team of 5 in a loose circle
   • Rugby ball
   • Dashed = pass round the circle
   • Solid = Dash Pup round the cone
   • Cone
   • Coach

   Setup & equipment

   1. Split into four teams of five.
   2. Each team forms its own loose circle with one rugby ball.
   3. Place a cone a short distance outside each team's circle.

   Coaching detail

   “Help the next pup!” · “Pass it around!” · “Go, Dash Pup!”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Change the direction the ball travels around the circle. Do not add defenders.

   Safety

   • Team areas must be clearly separated.
   • Dash runners stay within their team's area.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. The ball travels around the circle through everyone's hands.
   2. Once every child has received and passed the ball, the final receiver becomes the Dash Pup.
   3. The Dash Pup runs around their team's outside cone and returns to the circle. Then the passing starts again.
   4. Teams try to complete as many successful rounds as they can — a team challenge, not elimination.
5. 5Pickle's Kennel Clear-Out28–38 min · 10 minClear the kennels as a team

   How it works

   1. Move equipment from your kennel into the other team’s kennel.
   2. Carry one item at a time, pass a rugby ball or cooperate to move items; never throw hard equipment.
   3. On “Freeze Paws!”, stop and quickly count which kennel has fewer items.
   4. Restart for several short rounds, keeping scoring light and teamwork central.

   Coaching focus · “Help your pack!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Team 1 in its kennel
   • Team 2 (bibs) in its kennel
   • Rugby ball
   • Cone
   • Carry one item at a time across
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Split the main pitch into two kennels.
   2. Two teams of about 10.
   3. Place roughly half the rugby balls / cones in each kennel. Use safe equipment only.

   Coaching detail

   “Share the jobs!” · “Move the ball!” · “Work together!”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • In later rounds, rugby balls must be moved using at least one pass before entering the opposite kennel.

   Safety

   • One item per child.
   • No throwing cones.
   • No pushing.
   • Children stay aware of players moving in both directions.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. The challenge: get equipment out of your kennel and into the other team's kennel.
   2. Children may carry one item at a time, pass a rugby ball to a teammate, or work together to move items. No throwing hard equipment.
   3. On “Freeze Paws!” everyone stops. Quickly count which kennel has fewer items, then restart.
   4. Play several short rounds rather than one long game. The aim is fun, movement and teamwork — keep the scoring light.
6. 6Spike's All Pups Home38–47 min · 9 minGet every pup home safe

   How it works

   1. Set a whole-pack target, such as 10 tries.
   2. Ball carriers try to reach the try zone while taggers attempt tags.
   3. When tagged, stop, receive the tag back, pass to another Pup, then reattach and keep helping.
   4. Every try adds to the shared total; there are no opposing teams.

   Coaching focus · “Help the pack!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Try line / end zone
   • One Rugger Pups pack
   • Tag belt
   • Rugby ball
   • Tagger (3)
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Use the main pitch with a try zone at one end.
   2. Choose 3 taggers. Everyone else is one Rugger Pups pack.
   3. Give rugby balls to several children.

   Coaching detail

   “Find someone in space!” · “Pass to your pal!” · “Can we reach our team target?”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • If the group reaches the target easily, increase it slightly for the final round. No extra defenders or complex rules.

   Safety

   • Keep the challenge cooperative.
   • No tackling, pushing or grabbing.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Set a whole-group target, e.g. “Can the Rugger Pups score 10 tries together?”
   2. Children with balls try to reach the try zone; taggers try to remove tags.
   3. When tagged: stop, the tag is returned, pass the ball to another Rugger Pup, reattach the tag and keep helping the team.
   4. Every try adds to the whole group's total. There are no opposing teams.
7. 7Big Pup Tag Game47–56 min · 9 minPlay tag rugby as a team

   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. Celebrate passing, support and teamwork, with no bonus scoring or required passing sequence.

   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

   “Who can you pass to?” · “Work together!” · “Great teamwork!”

   Simplified rules

   1. Ground the ball over the try line to score.
   2. A defender removes one tag.
   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 the group benefits from one closely supervised match.

   Option B — Two adjacent 5v5 matches

   • Use when both games can be supervised safely.

   Safety

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

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Same familiar game with the established simplified tag rules. Choose the match format below on the day.
   2. Week 5 focus: passing, helping teammates, calling for the ball, moving into space and celebrating good team play.
   3. No bonus scoring and no required passing sequences.
8. 8PAWS Huddle & Collection56–60 min · 4 minCelebrate and tidy up together

   How it works

   1. Ask what someone did today to help their team.
   2. Praise passing, encouragement, sharing, helping and taking turns.
   3. Finish with “Once a Pup…” — “ALWAYS A PUP!”.

   Coaching focus · “Who helped their team today?”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children.
   2. Collect balls, belts, cones and bibs.

   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: “What did someone do today that helped their team?”
   2. Praise examples of passing, encouragement, helping, sharing and taking turns.
   3. Finish with the closing chant.

   Closing chant

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

Total60 min

• Helping teammates.
• Passing and catching.
• Moving together.
• Communicating.
• Taking turns.
• Rescuing / helping teammates.
• Sharing the ball.
• Scoring together.
• Celebrating team success.
• The session should feel like: Play together → help each other → succeed together.

• 20 tag belts
• 40 tags plus a few spares
• 10–12 rugby balls
• 35–40 cones or flat markers
• 2 colours of bibs
• Whistle
• First-aid kit
• Access to drinking water

Main area · Use one main area of roughly 20m × 25m (a flexible guide).

• Keep the main boundaries and end zones in place; create internal team areas with cones.
• Make only small internal changes between games.
• One coach must be able to see the whole active area at all times.