They don't know which way they're attacking
Players run the wrong way, celebrate in the wrong place, or freeze at kick-off
Why it happens
- New pitches, new ends after half-time, and lots going on.
- Nobody points out the try line before each game.
- When they're chasing the ball, they lose track of direction.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Point to the line we're scoring at.”
- “Which way are we going?” before each restart.
- “Great, you knew exactly where to go!”
✗ Not this
- Laughing at a player who ran the wrong way.
- “How can you not know that?”
- Starting games without showing both try lines.
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.
Point and go
How it works
- Put red cones at one end and blue cones at the other. Tell each team which colour they score at.
- Players jog around in the middle. The coach shouts “point!” and everyone points at their try line.
- Then the coach shouts “go!” and everyone sprints to their try line. Swap colours after a few goes.
Coaching points
- Look up and find your line before you move.
- Point first, then run.
- Make it a race, keep it fun.
Ready for the next level when: Every player points the right way straight away, even after colours swap.
End-zone tag
How it works
- Mark big, clear try zones at both ends with coloured cones.
- Tag rugby. Before each restart, every player points to the zone they're attacking.
- Swap ends at half-time and do the point again.
Coaching points
- Restarts are the moment to check direction.
- Captains can remind their team.
- Celebrate in the right zone!
Ready for the next level when: Players restart facing the right way without help.
Swap ends touch
How it works
- Normal touch rugby.
- On the coach's whistle, both teams swap the direction they're attacking. The team with the ball keeps it.
- Whistle at random times so they have to look up and think.
Coaching points
- Look for your try line after every whistle.
- Talk: “We're going that way!”
- Keep the games short and lively.
Ready for the next level when: Both teams switch direction quickly and correctly on the whistle.
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.
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
- Starting games without showing both try lines.
- Swapping ends at half-time without a reminder.
- Laughing at a wrong-way run. It makes players afraid to try.
- Pitches with no clear markings at the ends.