Rugby PitchsideCoaching help for U9–U13
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WellbeingConfidence

Some cry or sulk when they're tackled

Tears after a tackle, players walking off, or refusing to carry the ball

Why it happens

What to say

✓ Say this

  • “Are you hurt? Show me where.”
  • “It's okay to be upset. Take a minute.”
  • “That was brave. Want to go again when you're ready?”

✗ Not this

  • “Stop crying.”
  • “Toughen up” or “walk it off”.
  • Making them go straight back in before they're ready.

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.

Sit · chin tucked · rock backThen rock to each side
Level 14 minWhole squadGrass or matsNo contactU9 · U10 · U11

Rocking chair

How it works

  1. Players sit on the grass, knees bent, hugging their knees.
  2. Tuck the chin to the chest and rock back onto the shoulders, then rock forward again.
  3. Add a sideways rock onto one shoulder, then the other. Then start from a crouch.

Coaching points

  • Chin on chest the whole time. The head never touches the ground.
  • Round back, like a rocking chair.
  • Slow and controlled. This is the first step of every fall.

Ready for the next level when: Every player can rock back and to each side with their chin tucked, without being reminded.

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Kneel → crouch → standChin tucked, roll onto the shoulder
Level 25 minWhole squadGrass or matsNo contactU9 · U10 · U11

Fall and roll

How it works

  1. Players kneel, fall sideways and roll onto the back of the shoulder.
  2. Repeat from a crouch, then from standing.
  3. Add a ball: fall, place it back, pop up.

Coaching points

  • Tuck the chin to the chest.
  • Never land on a straight arm.
  • Get back up quickly, every time.

Ready for the next level when: Every player can fall from standing calmly without putting an arm out.

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Partner holds the shield · walk → march → jog
Level 36 minPairs, matched by sizeContact shieldsShields / bagsU9 · U10 · U11

Shield walk-ins

How it works

  1. A partner of similar size holds the shield firmly, feet wide, one foot forward.
  2. The ball carrier walks into it and drives with their legs for 3 seconds.
  3. 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.

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Land on your side → place the ball back
Level 48 minPairs, matched by sizeCones, grass or matsContact: joggingU9 · U10 · U11

Tackled and place

How it works

  1. The ball carrier walks past a kneeling partner, who makes a gentle side-on tackle.
  2. The ball carrier lands on their side or shoulder and places the ball back towards their team.
  3. 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.

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Tag laneContact lane (kneeling tacklers)T
Level 510 minWhole squadCones for two lanes, bibsContact: joggingU9 · U10 · U11

Choose your lane

How it works

  1. Two lanes side by side. The top lane is tag; the bottom lane has kneeling tacklers.
  2. Each player chooses which lane to run every time.
  3. 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.

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When a player is upset after a tackle

Common coaching mistakes

Related problems

ConfidenceBall carrierWellbeing
My players are afraid of getting hurt
Worried about knocks, falls and big kids. Holding back in games, nervous before training.
TackleConfidence
My players are scared of contact
Hesitating, pulling out of tackles, turning their back
FallingSafety
They don't know how to fall
Arms out, landing on wrists and elbows, heads hitting the ground