They all bunch around the ball
A swarm follows the ball, nobody holds width, the pitch is empty everywhere else
Why it happens
- Everyone wants the ball, and the ball is where the fun is.
- They don't know where else to stand. “Spread out” doesn't tell them where to go.
- Swarming worked when they were younger, so it's a habit.
- Only ball carriers get praised, so standing wide feels like doing nothing.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Find a space you could catch in.”
- “Can you see the touchline? You're wide enough.”
- “Great width! That's why we scored.”
- “Two near the ball, the rest spread.”
✗ Not this
- “Spread out!” with no picture of where.
- “Stop following the ball.”
- Shouting positions from the touchline during games.
- Moving players by hand like chess pieces.
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.
Stay in your lane
How it works
- Split the area into three lanes with cones. Each team puts two players in each lane.
- Normal touch rugby, but players can't leave their lane. The ball can.
- After a few minutes, let one player per team move freely. Then two.
Coaching points
- The lanes give them a picture of width before they have to choose it.
- Praise the outside players for staying wide and calling.
- Swap players between lanes so everyone gets a go on the edge and in the middle.
Ready for the next level when: The ball is reaching the outside lanes regularly and players stay wide without reminders.
Wide buddy walk
How it works
- Ball carrier walks forward. Two support players walk alongside, one each side, about 5 big steps away.
- The coach calls “left” or “right”. The carrier passes that way and the group re-forms around the new carrier.
- Speed up to a jog. Then let the carrier choose the side.
Coaching points
- Five big steps wide, and slightly behind the ball.
- Support players keep their hands up as a target.
- When the ball moves, the shape moves with it.
Ready for the next level when: Groups keep their width and shape at a jog for the length of the pitch.
Bubble touch
How it works
- Touch rugby, with one extra rule. Only the ball carrier and one support player from each team can be inside the bubble, roughly 3 big steps around the ball.
- A third attacker in the bubble is a turnover. A third defender in the bubble gives the attack a free pass.
- The coach shouts “bubble!” when it's crowded, so players learn to check.
Coaching points
- Ask the players outside the bubble where they should be. Let them work it out.
- Praise players who move away from the ball to make space.
- Keep the area small enough that width still matters.
Ready for the next level when: The bubble stays clear without the coach having to call it.
Wide lane tries
How it works
- Mark a lane down each edge of the pitch, about 5m wide.
- Normal touch rugby. A try scored in an outside lane is worth two points; in the middle, one.
- After a while, take the cones away and keep the scoring.
Coaching points
- Somebody has to stay wide for the ball to get there. Praise that player.
- Ball carrier draws defenders in the middle, then moves it wide.
- Ask the team at half-time how they could score more two-pointers.
Ready for the next level when: Teams are choosing to keep a player wide without lanes or reminders.
Freeze frame
How it works
- Play a normal game. Every so often the coach shouts “freeze!” and everyone stops where they are.
- Ask: “Who is free? Who could you pass to? Who needs to move?” Let players move themselves, then play on from there.
- Keep freezes short (under 30 seconds) and no more than one every couple of minutes.
Coaching points
- Ask questions. Don't move them yourself.
- Freeze when it's going well too, so they see what good width looks like.
- Use touch, or the full rules for your age group only once the drill ladder for contact is solid.
Ready for the next level when: When you freeze, most players are already in a useful space.
Common coaching mistakes
- Saying “spread out” without showing where. Use cones or lanes first.
- Expecting width to last in matches before it shows up in training games.
- Never praising the player who stayed wide and didn't touch the ball.
- Big squads in one game. Two smaller games give everyone more space and more touches.