Pass to a Pal — Next Level

• Mark the main playing area (roughly 20m × 25m) with try lines at both ends.
• Set out six to eight cone gates for the gate passing games.
• Mark four relay lines with a finishing line for Pickle's Pack Relay.
• Place 10–12 rugby balls at pitch-side — one per pair where possible; rotate possession between nearby pairs/groups if balls are limited.
• Pre-size the tag belts and check every belt has two tags.
• Have two colours of bibs ready for the Big Pup Tag Game.

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

   How it works

   1. Quick reminder: rugby passes travel sideways or backwards.
   2. Introduce the mission: pass, move and support your pack.
   3. Keep it short and energetic.

   Coaching focus · “Sideways or backwards”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children in a designated coaching area.

   Coaching detail

   “Eyes on the coach when stopped” · “Look after your teammates”

   Commands

   1. “PAWS… READY!” — Go
   2. “Freeze Paws!” — Stop, freeze and listen

   Safety

   • Keep the recap short — the children learn by playing.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Quick reminder: rugby passes travel sideways or backwards.
   2. Introduce today's mission: pass, move and support your pack.
   3. Keep it short and energetic.
2. 2Partner Pass & Move4–11 min · 7 minPass and move with a partner

   How it works

   1. Pairs move freely; one ball per pair where possible, rotate if limited.
   2. Pass sideways/backwards while moving, then immediately move into useful space.
   3. Receiver carries a few steps before the next pass — both keep moving.
   4. Heads up; avoid other groups. Increase pace/trim space only — no defenders.

   Coaching focus · “Pass and move.”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Child / attacker
   • Rugby ball
   • Dashed = backwards pass; pairs travel up
   • Solid = both move again; no defenders
   • Cone
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Pairs with one ball per pair where equipment allows.
   2. Use the whole main area — no fixed lines. If balls are limited, use approximately 10 balls and rotate possession between nearby pairs/groups.

   Coaching detail

   “Don't admire your pass.” · “Move somewhere useful.” · “Show your hands.” · “Sideways or backwards.”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Increase movement speed or reduce the available space slightly. Do not add defenders yet — this builds passing confidence.

   Make it easier: Walk first, then jog.

   Level it up: Increase movement speed or reduce the available space slightly; keep safe spacing and no defenders.

   Safety

   • Spread the pairs out to avoid collisions.
   • No throwing the ball at a teammate's head.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Pairs move freely around the main area; pass sideways or backwards while moving.
   2. After passing, immediately move into another useful space — do not stand admiring the pass.
   3. The receiver carries for a few steps before finding the next pass; both children keep moving.
   4. Keep heads up and avoid other pairs/groups. Do not settle into stationary opposite-pair passing.
3. 3Gate Passing Adventure11–19 min · 8 minPass through the gates

   How it works

   1. Pairs score with a sideways/backwards pass through a gate; catch while moving.
   2. Move immediately to a different free gate — scan, don't follow others; no queues or standard defenders.
   3. Progression: use the weaker side or change direction.

   Coaching focus · “Find the next gate.”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Cone
   • Moving pairs; no queues or defenders
   • Rugby ball
   • Dashed = sideways pass through gate; travel up
   • Solid = both find a different free gate
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Scatter multiple cone gates around the area with space between them.
   2. Pairs/groups with one ball where possible; rotate possession if equipment is limited. No queues or defenders in the standard version.

   Coaching detail

   “Pass through the gate” · “Scan for a free gate” · “Move after you pass”

   Ideas & variations

   Make it easier: Allow any gate to be reused.

   Level it up: Weaker passing side only, or each gate can only be used once.

   Safety

   • Spread the gates out to avoid collisions.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Pairs move around the area and score by completing a sideways/backwards pass through a cone gate; the receiver catches while moving.
   2. Move immediately to a different free gate — keep moving, scan for space rather than following another pair, and avoid queues.
   3. Progression: use the weaker passing side or change direction.
4. 4Pass & Follow19–27 min · 8 minPass, move and support again

   How it works

   1. Groups of about four: one carrier, three moving supports in their own area.
   2. Carrier runs a few steps, then passes sideways/backwards to a support.
   3. Passer moves to support again; new carrier repeats toward a line/around the area.
   4. No fixed queue. Progression only: one light-pressure shadow defender, rotated regularly.

   Coaching focus · “Pass, then get back in the game.”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • One moving group of 4: carrier + 3 supports
   • Rugby ball
   • Target line; group travels up
   • Dashed = backwards pass option
   • Solid = move to support again; no queue
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Groups of approximately four, each with one ball and its own small area/short lane.
   2. For up to 20 children, use five groups of four. Keep all active areas visible to the single coach.

   Coaching detail

   “Stay alongside or behind.” · “Give the ball carrier an option.” · “Pass and move.” · “Show your hands.”

   Ideas & variations

   Progression

   • Add one passive/shadow defender within the group who applies light pressure to encourage movement and communication, not aggressive chasing. Rotate that role regularly; do not add multiple defenders.

   Make it easier: Walk first while keeping all four children moving and available.

   Level it up: Add one passive/shadow defender only, rotating regularly; keep light pressure and no aggressive chasing.

   Safety

   • Keep groups separated.
   • No throwing over teammates.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. One child starts as ball carrier; the other three move around them as support players alongside or behind.
   2. The carrier runs a few steps, then makes a sideways/backwards pass to one available support player.
   3. The passer immediately moves again and becomes available as support; the new carrier runs a few steps and repeats.
   4. Keep the group travelling toward a target line or around its marked area. Roles rotate naturally between carrier, passer and support.
   5. No fixed queue and no child standing waiting at a cone.
5. 5Pickle's Pack Relay27–36 min · 9 minRace and pass in teams

   How it works

   1. Teams of 4–5 pass backwards through every pair of hands.
   2. Scan and call to help the next receiver.
   3. Back child chooses a clear outside route and runs to the front, ready to receive.
   4. Repeat to the finish; race the team’s own previous round.

   Coaching focus · “Talk to your pack.”

   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. Teams of 4–5 stand in lines.
   2. One ball per team, starting with the front child.

   Coaching detail

   “Call for the ball” · “Pass backwards” · “Run to the front” · “Work together”

   Ideas & variations

   Make it easier: Shorter distance to the finishing line.

   Level it up: Increase the pace or the distance.

   Safety

   • Keep relay lines clearly separated with safe spacing; run outside your own group, never through another team.
   • No throwing the ball over players.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. The ball is passed backwards through every player's hands.
   2. When it reaches the back child, that child runs around the outside to the front.
   3. Repeat until the whole team crosses the finishing line.
   4. After each pass, scan and call to help the next receiver; the back runner chooses a clear outside route and joins the front ready to receive. Keep rounds short and race the team’s own previous finish.
   5. No throwing over players.
6. 6Spike's Support Challenge36–45 min · 9 minRun or pass — support the carrier

   How it works

   1. Groups of 3–4: 2 attackers vs 1 defender; rotate quickly.
   2. Carrier attacks forward; support stays alongside/slightly behind.
   3. Run if space stays open; pass sideways/backwards if the defender commits.
   4. Receiver continues to score. Let them choose when — no prescribed pass.
   5. Easier: later/central-zone defender. Harder: free from start, never a second defender.

   Coaching focus · “See the defender.”

   Pitch setup

   Tap to enlarge

   • Try line / end zone
   • 2 attackers; support alongside/slightly behind
   • 1 defender chooses who to close
   • Rugby ball
   • Dashed = optional backwards pass if defender commits
   • Solid = forward running options; attack travels up
   • Coach

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

   Setup & equipment

   1. Groups of 3–4 in short, clearly separated areas/channels: two attackers versus one defender, with at most one child rotating in on the next quick turn.
   2. For up to 20 children, five groups of four use five balls. Keep every active area visible to the single coach and rotate roles quickly.

   Coaching detail

   “If they stay wide, run.” · “If they come to you, pass.” · “Support alongside or behind.” · “Don't run away from your teammate.”

   Ideas & variations

   Make it easier: Defender starts later or must stay inside a small central zone.

   Level it up: Defender moves freely from the start. Do not add a second defender in Week 3.

   Safety

   • Keep channels clearly separated.
   • Defenders tag safely — no grabbing.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. The ball carrier attacks forward; the support player moves alongside or slightly behind.
   2. The defender chooses whether to close the ball carrier.
   3. Run if the space remains open. Pass sideways/backwards if the defender commits to the ball carrier — do not prescribe exactly when to pass.
   4. If passed to, the support player catches and continues toward the scoring line.
   5. Rotate roles quickly after every attempt. Let children discover the simple run-or-pass decision.
7. 7Big Pup Tag Game45–56 min · 11 minPlay tag rugby with support

   How it works

   1. Choose one 10v10 game, or two 5v5 games only if both can be supervised safely.
   2. Coach focus: after passing, keep moving and become useful again.
   3. No fixed number of passes before scoring; brief interventions only, not repeated shape coaching.

   Coaching focus · “Pass and move”

   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 try lines already in place.
   2. Two colours of bibs.

   Coaching detail

   “Support the ball carrier” · “Find space” · “Defend safely”

   Years 3–4 tag rules

   1. Score a try by grounding the ball over the try line.
   2. Passes travel sideways or backwards — never forwards.
   3. A defender removes one tag and calls “TAG!”.
   4. The ball carrier stops as quickly and safely as possible and passes to a teammate.
   5. The defender immediately returns the tag.
   6. The player replaces the tag before fully rejoining play.
   7. No tackling, pushing, grabbing clothing, blocking defenders or ripping the ball.

   Ideas & variations

   Option A — One 10v10 match(default)

   • Years 3–4 tag rugby on the main pitch.
   • All 20 children play.
   • Default option.

   Option B — Two 5v5 matches

   • Two adjacent mini-pitches played at the same time.
   • Stand where you can see both games.
   • Use two simultaneous games only when both can be supervised safely.
   • Both games stop together on “Freeze Paws!”

   Make it easier: Pause briefly after each tag so children can reset.

   Level it up: Encourage quicker recognition of space and useful support after passing, without a mandatory pass count.

   Safety

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

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Normal Years 3–4 tag game — choose the match format on the day.
   2. Coach focus: after passing, keep moving and become useful again.
   3. Do not require a fixed number of passes before scoring.
   4. Apply legal passing, support, movement after passing and communication. Use brief interventions only when needed; do not repeatedly stop the game to coach shape.
8. 8Huddle & Collection56–60 min · 4 minCelebrate and tidy up together

   How it works

   1. Collect the balls and tag belts.
   2. Ask: “What should you do after you pass?”
   3. Guide them to: move, support and help your teammate.
   4. Finish with the chant.

   Coaching focus · “Well done, Pack!”

   Setup & equipment

   1. Gather the children together.

   Coaching detail

   “Heads up, tails up…”

   Safety

   • Follow the school's authorised parent/guardian collection and handover arrangements.
   • Do not allow children to leave unsupervised.

   More detail

   Full activity instructions

   1. Collect rugby balls and tag belts.
   2. Ask: “What should you do after you pass?” — guide them towards moving, supporting and helping their teammate.
   3. Praise effort, courage and safe play.
   4. Finish with the closing chant.

   Closing chant

   • Coach: “Heads up, tails up…”
   • Children: “RUGGER PUPS!”

Total60 min

• Pass sideways or backwards while moving.
• Move into a useful space after passing.
• Support the ball carrier.
• Communicate with teammates.

• 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 · One main rectangular coaching area of roughly 20m × 25m, with clear boundaries, runoff space and try lines at both ends.

• Cone gates scattered around the area for Gate Passing Adventure; five small support areas/short channels remain within the coach's view.
• Keep the main boundaries in place all session — only a handful of cones move between activities.
• Every active area must be visible and manageable by the single coach.
• Before starting, check the surface, boundaries, equipment and the school's safeguarding, first-aid, emergency and collection arrangements.