They're offside all the time
Penalties at every ruck, players hanging around in front of the ball
Why it happens
- Offside is hard to see from inside a game. Nobody has shown them where the line is.
- Defenders stay where they are after a tackle instead of getting back.
- Players are keen to get to the ball first, so they creep forward.
- The offside rules for each phase of play change as they move up age groups. Check the rules page for your age group and the official text.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Get back behind the ball before you go forward again.”
- “Look for the ball, then find your side of it.”
- “Great job getting back! That's how you stay in the game.”
- “If you're not sure, go back.”
✗ Not this
- “Get in there!” to players who are in front of the ball.
- “Cheat a bit, the ref won't see.”
- Arguing with the referee about offside in front of the players.
- Shouting “offside!” at your own players from the touchline.
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.
Back behind the ball
How it works
- A coach places a ball on the ground and players stand around it, some in front.
- On “onside!”, every player runs back behind the ball and lines up.
- The coach moves the ball and calls again. Add a race: last one back does 3 tuck jumps.
Coaching points
- Find the ball, then find your side of it.
- Get back before you go forward.
- Line up and look across your line.
Ready for the next level when: Every player gets back behind the ball within 3 seconds.
Up together gates
How it works
- Defenders stand on a cone line. Attackers start 15m away with a ball.
- When the attack starts, the defender in the middle shouts “up!” and the whole line moves forward together to the 5m cones.
- Then they play touch. Count how many times the line arrives at the cones together.
Coaching points
- One trigger word, one caller. Everyone moves on “up”.
- Nobody runs ahead of the line. A dog leg is a gap.
- After the touch, everyone gets back into line quickly.
Ready for the next level when: The line moves up together on the call nearly every time.
Ruck reset touch
How it works
- Touch rugby. After every touch, the ball is placed on the ground.
- Defenders must all get back behind the ball before the attack can play it. The coach counts them back.
- A defender who plays from in front gives the attack a free 5 metres.
Coaching points
- Get back, get set, then go forward together.
- Talk: “Back! Back!”
- Watch the ball, not the player.
Ready for the next level when: Defenders get back onside quickly after every touch.
Line defence game
How it works
- A normal touch game. Each team picks a defensive caller for the half.
- Defence earns a bonus point for each set where they stop the attack with everyone back in the line.
- Switch the caller every few minutes so everyone takes a turn at leading the line.
Coaching points
- The caller says “up”, “left” or “right”. Everyone else repeats it.
- Get back in line straight after every touch.
- Once it's solid in touch, use the same calls in your contact games at the right level of the ladder.
Ready for the next level when: Defence talks and resets into a line without being told, and you see it in matches.
Common coaching mistakes
- Shouting “offside!” at your own players instead of coaching it.
- Only practising defence in a line from a standing start.
- Ignoring offside in training games.
- Explaining the law instead of practising getting back.
Related problems
DefenceTeamwork
We have no defensive line
Defenders scattered, gaps everywhere, everyone waiting to see what happens
BreakdownContactThey don't know what to do after the tackle
Players stand around a tackled player, nobody knows whose ball it is
BreakdownLawsThe tackler lies on the ball and won't release
Tacklers hold on after the tackle, and the referee keeps blowing the whistle