My players are afraid of getting hurt
Worried about knocks, falls and big kids. Holding back in games, nervous before training.
Why it happens
- Fear of the unknown: they've never been shown what a safe tackle or a safe fall feels like.
- They know how to tackle, but not how to be tackled safely as the ball carrier.
- A past knock, or seeing a teammate hurt, has stuck with them.
- Size gaps between children of the same age can be huge, and they feel it.
- Nervous parents on the touchline pass the worry on.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “You choose how hard you go today.”
- “You fell perfectly. That's why it didn't hurt.”
- “If something hurts, tell me. You won't be in trouble.”
- “Low and strong, ball held tight, land and place it.”
✗ Not this
- “Toughen up” or “walk it off”.
- “It won't hurt.” (They know it might.)
- Making a nervous kid go first in front of everyone.
- Laughing off a knock.
The drill ladder
Move a group up a level only when they hit the "ready for next level" sign. It's fine for groups to be on different levels.
Shield walk-ins
How it works
- A partner of similar size holds the shield firmly, feet wide, one foot forward.
- The ball carrier walks into it and drives with their legs for 3 seconds.
- Go from walking to marching to jogging, then swap roles.
Coaching points
- Players hold the shields, never an adult.
- Ball held in both hands, tight to the chest. Shoulder into the shield, head up and to the side.
- Shield holders give a little and stay balanced, not rigid.
Ready for the next level when: Every player drives into the shield at a jog without slowing down.
Low and strong
How it works
- One partner holds a bag; the other carries the ball into it.
- Players practise the safest body position for going into contact.
- Swap after 3 goes. Praise the best body position, not the hardest hit.
Coaching points
- Low, wide feet and little steps before contact.
- Tuck the ball away from the contact.
- Never lead with the head.
Ready for the next level when: Players get into the low, strong position without being told.
Tackled and place
How it works
- The ball carrier walks past a kneeling partner, who makes a gentle side-on tackle.
- The ball carrier lands on their side or shoulder and places the ball back towards their team.
- Swap roles. Go to a jog only when both are calm.
Coaching points
- Landing is a skill. Practise it as much as tackling.
- Chin tucked, land on the shoulder or side, not on an arm.
- Place the ball back long, then get up quickly.
Ready for the next level when: Being tackled looks calm and controlled, with no panicked arms.
Choose your lane
How it works
- Two lanes side by side. The top lane is tag; the bottom lane has kneeling tacklers.
- Each player chooses which lane to run every time.
- Count contact lane runs as a team and celebrate when the total goes up.
Coaching points
- The choice is real. Never push anyone into the contact lane.
- Nervous players often try the contact lane once they've watched others.
- Let players who go to the contact lane early be tacklers too.
Ready for the next level when: Most of the squad is choosing the contact lane on their own.
Tackle bag take-downs
How it works
- Stand a tackle bag upright. If it needs steadying, a player does it from behind.
- Players step in side-on, wrap the bag low, drive and take it to the ground.
- Land on top, roll, get straight back up. Progress from a walk to a jog.
Coaching points
- Wrap below where a real player's waist would be.
- Head to the side of the bag, never in front.
- No adults holding bags or shields for players.
Ready for the next level when: Go back to the drill ladder on “scared of contact” to move on to player-vs-player tackles.
Talk to the players and parents
- Ask the group: “What worries you about contact?” Every answer is a fair one.
- Tell parents how you progress contact (kneeling → walking → jogging) and why. Calm parents mean calmer kids.
- If a player gets a knock, stop, check, and treat it seriously. That's how they learn they can trust you.
- Any suspected head injury: off the pitch and no return that day. Follow England Rugby's HEADCASE guidance.
Common coaching mistakes
- Saying “it won't hurt”. Be honest and show them how to make it safe.
- Only coaching the tackler. Ball carriers need landing skills too.
- Forcing nervous players into contact before they choose it.
- Ignoring the touchline. Brief parents on what you're doing and why.