Growth spurts mean huge size mismatches in contact
Some players have shot up and filled out, others haven't started yet, and contact feels unfair
Why it happens
- Puberty starts at very different ages. Two players the same age can be very different in height, weight and strength.
- Late developers have learned they lose most contests, so they hold back or get hurt.
- Early developers have learned size works, so their technique hasn't needed to improve.
- Drills and games pair players by position or friendship, not by size.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Find a partner your size.”
- “Technique beats size. Low, wrap, squeeze.”
- “Great control! You kept it safe for both of you.”
- “Everyone tackles low, whatever their size.”
✗ Not this
- “Just get stuck in, size doesn't matter.”
- “Use your size and run them over.”
- Pairing the biggest and smallest players to “toughen up” the small one.
- Making jokes about a player's size or growth.
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.
Knee wrestling squares
How it works
- Pairs kneel facing each other inside a small square.
- On the whistle, try to push or turn your partner out of the square.
- 20-second rounds, then rotate partners.
Coaching points
- Pair by size first, friendship second.
- Hands on shoulders and chest only, never the head or neck.
- Lots of praise and laughter. This is about getting used to contact.
Ready for the next level when: Players are laughing and choosing to go again.
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.
Kneeling hip hug
How it works
- Tackler kneels on one knee. Ball carrier stands side-on, close enough to touch.
- Tackler puts their cheek on the carrier's hip, wraps both arms round the thighs and squeezes for 3 seconds. Nobody goes to ground yet.
- Then the carrier takes one slow step. The tackler wraps, squeezes and rolls them gently onto the grass. Swap after 3 goes.
Coaching points
- Cheek to the hip, head behind the ball carrier. Never in front.
- Arms wrap below the waist. If an arm goes round the chest, start again.
- Slow is fine. We're learning where the head and arms go.
Ready for the next level when: Every player can wrap at hip height with their head to the side, 5 times out of 5.
Side-on tackle (kneeling → walking)
How it works
- The ball carrier walks across in front of the tackler.
- The tackler steps in side-on: cheek to cheek with the carrier's backside, wrap, squeeze, roll.
- Progress the tackler from kneeling to crouching to standing.
Coaching points
- Aim at the hips or waist. Stay well below the base of the sternum.
- Little steps to get close before going in.
- Land on top and roll the ball carrier, not underneath.
Ready for the next level when: Clean technique from standing against a walking carrier, 5 out of 5.
Jog and sink
How it works
- Ball carrier jogs down a narrow channel. Tackler starts 5m away and moves forward to meet them.
- Tackler shortens their steps, sinks and tackles at the hips. Carrier goes to ground and places the ball.
- Reset and go again. Keep the channel narrow so the tackler can commit.
Coaching points
- Short steps, low hips, head to the side. Set the height before contact, not during it.
- If a tackle goes high, stop and go back to the gate drill for a few reps. No telling off.
- Lots of short goes. Swap after 3 each.
Ready for the next level when: Tackles stay at hip height when the carrier is jogging, nearly every time.
Pairing and planning for size
- Pair by size first in every contact drill, then by confidence. Rotate pairs so nobody is stuck with a mismatch.
- Run contact in size-matched groups, even if that means two groups doing different levels of the ladder.
- Give early developers skill targets (draw and pass, tackle technique) and late developers time on the ball in touch games.
- Talk to your club if a size gap feels unsafe in matches.
Common coaching mistakes
- Pairing by position or friendship in contact.
- Moving the whole group up the ladder at the same pace.
- Only praising big hits, which rewards size over skill.
- Ignoring a late developer who has stopped going into contact.
Related problems
TackleSafety
They tackle too high
Arms round the shoulders, grabbing shirts, heads in the wrong place
ContactSafetySquadThe big kids flatten everyone
A few early-developing players run through everyone, and the rest are getting scared
WellbeingConfidenceSquadLate developers are losing confidence
Smaller, slower players are going quiet and avoiding contact
SquadSkillsEarly developers rely on size, not skill
Big players run through everyone and never need to pass or step