Kids are quiet. No one talks on the pitch
Silent attack, silent defence, nobody calling for the ball
Why it happens
- Calling out feels awkward, especially for shy players.
- They don't know what to say.
- Games that don't reward talking, so they don't bother.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Call my name!”
- “Talk to the player next to you.”
- “Great call! That's why the pass worked.”
✗ Not this
- “Why is nobody talking?!”
- Making a shy player shout on their own in front of everyone.
- Only noticing talk when it's missing.
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.
Name game passing
How it works
- Players stand in a circle. Before you pass, call the name of the person you're passing to.
- The catcher must call “yes!” before the ball arrives.
- Add a second ball. Then jog around inside a square, still calling names.
Coaching points
- Loud and early. Names first.
- No name, no pass.
- Quiet players often find their voice in this game.
Ready for the next level when: Every pass has a name and a “yes!” without reminders.
Talk to receive
How it works
- Touch rugby, but you can only pass to a player who has called for the ball (by name or “here!”).
- A pass to a silent player is a turnover.
- Add the 3-second rule from Level 1 to combine both.
Coaching points
- Call early, not when the ball is already coming.
- The ball carrier listens and picks the best call.
- Quiet kids get a buddy who calls with them at first.
Ready for the next level when: Constant chatter, and passes are going to players in space.
Line walk
How it works
- Defenders stand in a line, an arm's length apart. One player is the ball carrier, 10m in front of them.
- The ball carrier walks forward or sideways. The line moves together to stay in front of the ball, keeping its gaps. No touching, just shadowing. Swap the ball carrier every minute.
- Add a rule: the player nearest the ball calls “ball!” and the others call their neighbour's name.
Coaching points
- Eyes up, look left and right to check the line.
- Gaps stay the same. If one player moves, everyone moves.
- Talk the whole time. A quiet line is a broken line.
Ready for the next level when: The line moves together, gaps stay even, and everyone is talking.
3v3 line touch
How it works
- 3v3 touch in a narrow area. Defence must start every play in a line.
- The defence wins a point for every touch made with all three defenders level. The attack wins a point for a try.
- Swap roles after 5 plays.
Coaching points
- Every defender has a job. Inside defender, middle, outside.
- Talk before the ball moves, not after.
- Ask the defence after each set where the gap came from.
Ready for the next level when: The defence stays connected and talking for 5 plays in a row.
Common coaching mistakes
- Asking for talk without saying what to call.
- Never rewarding calls in games.
- Expecting quiet players to change overnight.
Related problems
SupportGame sense
They stand still and wait for the ball
Most of the team watches the ball and waits for it to come to them
DefenceTeamworkWe have no defensive line
Defenders scattered, gaps everywhere, everyone waiting to see what happens
SquadConfidenceThe confident kids do everything, others hide
The same players take every restart, every carry and every tackle