The Big Game Day

• Keep the main boundary and the two principal end zones in place.
• Pre-size tag belts — Tails Team Challenge, Golden Try Hunt, Pack Challenge and the Big Game Day all use them.
• Set out several small Golden Try Zones around the outside of the main area.
• Have balls and tag belts ready for whichever replay game the children choose.
• Put two colours of bibs out and decide the Big Game Day format before the children arrive: one 10v10 or two 5v5.
• Keep spare cones accessible for the shared try zone and the Pack Challenge.

1. 1PAWS Welcome — Big Game Day0–4 min · 4 minWarm up for the Big Game Day

   How it works

   1. Announce Big Game Day and using everything learned as Rugger Pups.
   2. Briefly recall running, passing, dodging, teamwork and safe tagging.
   3. Keep excitement high and the explanation short.

   Coaching focus · “PAWS!”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children in the normal coaching area.

   Coaching detail

   “READY!” · “It's Big Game Day!”

   Commands

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

   Safety

   • Keep this short.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Tell the children: “Today is our Big Game Day! We're going to use everything we've learned as Rugger Pups.”
   2. Briefly mention running, passing, dodging, teamwork and safe tagging.
   3. Keep the excitement high and the explanation short.
2. 2Adventure Journey — Pups' Choice Finale4–11 min · 7 minThe pups choose the adventure

   ⚑ No balls or tag belts

   How it works

   1. Let children choose the final destination and how to get there.
   2. Act out the journey together.
   3. On arrival, ask about animals and move like their suggestions, exploring speed, dodging and imaginative movement.
   4. Use “Freeze Paws!” between parts and restart with “PAWS… READY!”.

   Coaching focus · “Where shall we go?”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Coach
   • Child / attacker
   • Cone
   • Arrow = movement

   Setup & equipment

   1. Use one open bounded area.
   2. No rugby balls or tag belts are required.
   3. Children spread out with room to move safely.

   Coaching detail

   “How do we get there?” · “Show me your animal!” · “Find your own space!”

   Safety

   • Maintain safe spacing.
   • Keep children inside the marked area.
   • Avoid dangerous animal movements.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Ask: “Where should the Rugger Pups go for our final adventure?” Let the children choose.
   2. Ask: “How are we getting there?” Act out the journey together.
   3. When you arrive, ask: “What animals live here?” Move like the animals the children suggest.
   4. Encourage running, jumping, dodging, crawling, weaving, changing speed and imaginative movement.
   5. Use “Freeze Paws!” when changing parts of the adventure; restart with “PAWS… READY!”

   A celebration version — don't force a destination and don't add technical rugby skills. No formal progression.

3. 3Pups' Choice Replay11–18 min · 7 minReplay your favourite games

   How it works

   1. Offer a quick vote between up to three familiar favourites: Shark Attack, Crocodile Crossing or Tails.
   2. Play the winner using its original approved rules and safety points.
   3. Keep caught runners involved; nobody is out.
   4. Do not add complex variations.

   Coaching focus · “Your favourite game is back!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   If chosen: Shark Attack

   • Safe island at each end
   • Child / attacker
   • Shark (2)
   • Tag belt
   • Coach

   If chosen: Crocodile Crossing

   • Safe bank
   • Child / attacker
   • Crocodile
   • Tag belt
   • Coach

   If chosen: Tails

   • Child / attacker
   • Tag belt
   • Tagger (3)
   • Coach
   • Arrow = movement

   Setup & equipment

   1. Use the main area already in place.
   2. Have tag belts and balls ready for whichever game wins.

   Coaching detail

   “Find space!” · “Play safely!”

   Ideas & variations

   Shark Attack

   • Use the rules from earlier weeks (Week 1 / Week 2 Tag Edition). Caught runners carry on — nobody is out.

   Crocodile Crossing

   • Use the Week 4 rules. Tag belts; nobody is out.

   Tails

   • Use the Week 1 rules. Tags handed directly back; nobody is out.

   Safety

   • Follow the safety points from the original version of the chosen game.
   • No tackling, pushing or grabbing.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Offer a quick vote between up to three familiar favourites (below).
   2. Play the winning game using its already-approved rules from earlier weeks.
   3. Do not create new complex variations. The aim: “Your favourite Rugger Pups game is back!”

   The coach may adjust the shortlist based on equipment, space and the group.

4. 4Tails Team Challenge18–25 min · 7 minCollect tails as a team

   How it works

   1. Try to remove one tag safely from an opposing player.
   2. Return each tag directly so its owner can reattach it.
   3. Both players carry on; nobody is out.
   4. Celebrate safe team tagging with a rough total or simple praise.

   Coaching focus · “Find space!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Team 1
   • Team 2 (bibs)
   • Tag belt
   • Coach
   • Arrow = movement

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Everyone wears tag belts.
   2. Divide into two broad teams using bibs.
   3. Use one main bounded area.

   Coaching detail

   “Tag safely!” · “Help your team!” · “Return the tag!”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Introduce rugby balls to some players. No additional rules.

   Safety

   • No tackling, pushing or grabbing clothing.
   • Tags handed directly back.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Children try to safely remove a tag from a player on the other team.
   2. When they take a tag: return it directly, the tagged player reattaches it, and both carry on playing.
   3. Team challenge: how many safe tags can your whole team make? Keep a rough total or simply celebrate good tagging.
   4. Nobody is eliminated.
5. 5Pickle's Golden Try Hunt25–33 min · 8 minHunt for the golden tries

   How it works

   1. Try to score in a Golden Try Zone, then look for another.
   2. Taggers attempt tags before players reach a scoring zone.
   3. If tagged, stop safely, receive the tag back and reattach before carrying on.
   4. Visit different zones without recording individual scores; nobody is out.

   Coaching focus · “Find another try zone!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Golden Try Zone
   • Child / attacker
   • Rugby ball
   • Tag belt
   • Tagger (3)
   • Coach
   • Arrow = movement

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Create several small Golden Try Zones around the outside of the main area.
   2. Children carry rugby balls.
   3. Use 2–3 taggers.

   Coaching detail

   “Look for space!” · “Escape the defender!” · “Score the try!”

   Safety

   • Space the zones well apart.
   • No tackling, pushing or grabbing.
   • Tags handed directly back.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Children try to score tries in different Golden Try Zones. After scoring in one zone, look for another.
   2. Taggers try to remove tags before players reach a scoring zone.
   3. When tagged: stop safely, the tag is returned, reattach it and carry on. Nobody is eliminated.
   4. Aim: visit as many different scoring zones as possible. No need to record individual scores.

   No progression needed.

6. 6Coach Paws' Pack Challenge33–41 min · 8 minBeat the coach's challenges

   How it works

   1. Set a collective try target and allow a sensible countdown.
   2. Work together to score tries.
   3. If tagged, stop, receive the tag back, pass to a teammate and reattach before helping again.
   4. Count every try towards the whole-pack target.

   Coaching focus · “Help the pack!”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Try line / end zone
   • One Rugger Pups pack
   • Tag belt
   • Rugby ball
   • Tagger (4)
   • Dashed arrow = pass
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. The entire group works together on the main pitch.
   2. Several rugby balls are active.
   3. Choose 3–4 taggers.

   Coaching detail

   “Find space!” · “Pass to a pal!” · “Keep going!”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • If they achieve the target, give one slightly higher final target. No extra rules.

   Safety

   • Keep it cooperative.
   • No tackling, pushing or grabbing.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Set a collective mission, e.g. “Can the Rugger Pups score 15 tries before Coach Paws finishes the countdown?” Use a sensible time period, not a very fast countdown.
   2. Children work together to score tries.
   3. If tagged: stop, receive the tag back, pass to a teammate, reattach and keep helping the pack.
   4. Every try counts towards the whole group's target.
7. 7The Big Game Day41–56 min · 15 minPlay the big final game

   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. Keep play positive and flowing, with no bonus scoring or minimum pass count.

   Coaching focus · “Great space!”

   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

   “Nice pass!” · “Good tag!” · “Great teamwork!” · “Keep going!”

   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. Use the familiar Big Pup Tag Game rules. Choose the match format below on the day.
   2. Let the children use everything they've learned: run with the ball, find space, dodge, change direction, pass sideways/backwards, support teammates, tag safely, score tries, be kind and work together.
   3. No bonus scoring, no minimum pass counts and don't over-referee. Coach positively and keep the game flowing.

   This should feel like a game, not a final assessment.

8. 8PAWS Celebration & Collection56–60 min · 4 minCelebrate the whole programme

   How it works

   1. Ask for children’s favourite part of being a Rugger Pup.
   2. Celebrate effort, kindness, courage, teamwork and improvement.
   3. Do not rank children or choose a single best player.
   4. Finish with “Once a Pup…” — “ALWAYS A PUP!”; add a final cheer or howl if appropriate.

   Coaching focus · “What was your favourite part?”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Bring everyone together.
   2. Collect balls, belts, cones and bibs.

   Coaching detail

   “Well done, Rugger Pups!” · “Once a Pup…”

   Safety

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

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Ask: “What was your favourite part of being a Rugger Pup?”
   2. Briefly celebrate what the children have learned — recognise effort, kindness, courage, teamwork and improvement.
   3. Do not rank children or name a single best player.
   4. Finish with the closing chant. A bigger final cheer or howl afterwards is fine if appropriate.

   Closing chant

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

Total60 min

• A celebration session — exciting, familiar and rewarding.
• Bring together favourite elements from the previous five weeks.
• Run with the ball, find space, dodge and change direction.
• Pass sideways / backwards and support teammates.
• Tag safely and score tries.
• Be kind and work together.
• Finish with the longest Big Pup Tag Game of the programme.

• 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 two principal end zones.
• Leave space for temporary Golden Try Zones around the outside.
• Be able to divide the area into two 5v5 pitches.
• Minimise resets. One coach must be able to see the whole active area.