Rugby PitchsideCoaching help for U9–U13
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BreakdownLaws

The tackler lies on the ball and won't release

Tacklers hold on after the tackle, and the referee keeps blowing the whistle

Why it happens

What to say

✓ Say this

  • “Tackle, let go, get up.”
  • “Roll away from the ball.”
  • “Great release! Back on your feet straight away.”

✗ Not this

  • “Hang on to them!”
  • Praising a tackle without checking the release.
  • Arguing with the referee about penalties.

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.

Both on knees · cheek to hipWrap · squeeze · roll · let go
Level 16 minPairs, matched by sizeGrass or mats, a ball per pairContact: kneelingU9 · U10 · U11

Wrap and roll on knees

How it works

  1. Both players kneel. The ball carrier holds the ball in two hands. The tackler kneels side-on, close enough to touch.
  2. On “go”, the tackler puts their cheek on the carrier's hip, wraps both arms, squeezes and rolls them onto the grass.
  3. The tackler finishes on top, lets go and gets up. Swap after 3 goes.

Coaching points

  • Grab is the start, not the end: wrap, squeeze, roll.
  • Head behind the ball carrier, cheek to the hip. Never in front.
  • Ball carrier lands on the side, as in Fall and roll.

Ready for the next level when: Every tackle finishes on the ground with the tackler's head to the side, 5 times out of 5.

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Tackle · let go · roll awayThen get up on your side
Level 26 minPairs, matched by sizeGrass or mats, a ball per pairContact: kneelingU10 · U11

Tackle, release, roll away

How it works

  1. Tackler kneels, ball carrier kneels side-on with the ball.
  2. Tackler wraps, rolls the carrier to the ground, then lets go straight away and rolls away from the ball.
  3. The tackler gets up on the far side. The carrier places the ball back long. Swap after 3 goes.

Coaching points

  • Tackle, let go, roll away, get up. Say it out loud.
  • Never lie on the ball.
  • Get up on your side of the ball, not on top of it.

Ready for the next level when: Every tackler releases and rolls away without being told, 5 times out of 5.

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SGet back behind the ballThen you're back in the game
Level 38 minGroups of 3, matched by sizeCones, a ball per groupContact: walkingU10 · U11

Up and back in

How it works

  1. The ball carrier walks into a tackler who starts in a crouch, as in Walking gate tackle.
  2. After the tackle, the tackler lets go, gets up and runs back behind a cone line level with the ball before they can play again.
  3. A third player picks up the placed ball and walks on. The tackler chases them once they're back behind the line.

Coaching points

  • Let go, get up, get back.
  • You're only back in the game once you're behind the ball.
  • Ball carrier: land, turn, place long.

Ready for the next level when: Tacklers release and get back behind the ball every time without reminders.

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SKneeling tackler at the conesSupport races defender · all on feet
Level 410 minGroups of 4, matched by sizeCones, a ball per groupContact: walkingU10 · U11

2v1 ruck at walking pace

How it works

  1. Ball carrier walks into a kneeling tackler, who tackles at the hips and rolls them gently, as in Kneeling hip hug.
  2. Carrier lands, turns and places long. One support player steps over from behind. One defender walks in from their side to try to pick up the ball, staying on their feet.
  3. If the support player gets there first and stays strong, the attack keeps the ball. Rotate all four roles.

Coaching points

  • Support player: you're racing the defender. Go as soon as you see the tackle.
  • Both the support player and the defender must stay on their feet. Hands on the ball only when you're standing.
  • Tackler: release and roll away so the ball is clear.

Ready for the next level when: Support arrives first and on their feet most of the time, and the ball is placed long every time.

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STouch → place → one steps over
Level 510 min5v5Cones, bibsContact: joggingU10 · U11

Ruck touch

How it works

  1. Touch rugby. When touched, the ball carrier goes to ground, turns and places the ball back long.
  2. One attacker must step over the ball before it can be played. One defender may come through from behind the ball, on their feet, to try to pick it up.
  3. Everyone else stays out. No diving, no hands on the floor. Play on from the placed ball.

Coaching points

  • Only a small number of players ruck (check the rules page for your age group). Everyone else holds a line.
  • Praise the first player to step over, not the pile.
  • Ask “did you need to go in?” after a crowded ruck.

Ready for the next level when: Rucks are two or three players, on their feet, and the ball comes out quickly nearly every time.

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Common coaching mistakes

Related problems

BreakdownContact
They don't know what to do after the tackle
Players stand around a tackled player, nobody knows whose ball it is
RuckContact
Our rucks are a mess
Pile-ups, players off their feet, the ball stuck under bodies
DefenceLaws
They're offside all the time
Penalties at every ruck, players hanging around in front of the ball