They won't pass, they just run
Heads down, running into three defenders, support players left waving
Why it happens
- Running is what gets praised. Tries get cheered, good passes don't.
- They don't trust their pass or the catch, so keeping the ball feels safer.
- Support players are too close, too far behind, or silent, so there's no one obvious to pass to.
- Bigger kids have learned they can run through people, so they've never needed to look up.
What to say
✓ Say this
- “Great pass! That made the try.”
- “Who was free?” (ask after the rep)
- “Eyes up before you get the ball.”
- “Draw the defender, then pass.”
✗ Not this
- “Pass it!” shouted mid-run.
- “You're being greedy.”
- Only cheering the player who scores.
- Taking the ball off a big runner to make a point.
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.
Walking passing square
How it works
- Set a 5m square. One player on each corner, the spare player in the middle.
- Players walk the ball around the square, passing to the next corner. Change direction on the coach's call.
- Then add a rule: the receiver must call a name or “here” before the ball is passed.
Coaching points
- Hands up and out as a target before the ball comes.
- Pass to where the receiver is going, not where they are.
- Catch, then turn the eyes to the next player straight away.
Ready for the next level when: The ball goes round 10 times without a drop, in both directions.
Two-pass try
How it works
- Normal touch rugby in a small area.
- A try only counts if the ball has been passed at least twice since the last touch or turnover.
- Once they're doing it, add a bonus point for a try scored by a player who started on the other side of the pitch.
Coaching points
- Praise the passer as loudly as the scorer.
- Support players get beside or slightly behind the ball carrier, not in front.
- Ask: “Who made that try?” Let them name the passers.
Ready for the next level when: Most tries come from a move with two or more passes, without being reminded.
2v1 channel
How it works
- Two attackers against one defender.
- The ball carrier runs at the defender. Pass if the defender commits to you, run if they drift to your support.
- Defender walks or jogs first, then plays full speed.
- Defenders use a two-handed touch, not a tackle.
Coaching points
- Run at the defender's inside shoulder to draw them.
- Support stays a few metres wide and calls “here!”
- Ask the carrier afterwards what they saw.
Ready for the next level when: Most reps finish with the right pass-or-run choice.
3v2 overlap
How it works
- Three attackers against two defenders in a wide channel. Defenders use a two-handed touch, not a tackle.
- The ball starts with the attacker on one edge. Attack has to get the ball to the free player.
- Defenders walk, then jog, then play at full speed. Rotate after each go.
Coaching points
- Ball carrier runs at a defender to hold them before passing.
- Free player: stay wide, call loud, be ready to catch at pace.
- Ask the carrier afterwards who the free player was and when they knew.
Ready for the next level when: The attack finds the free player most of the time with defenders at full speed.
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.
Common coaching mistakes
- Only praising tries. Praise the pass that made it, loudly.
- Telling them to pass without fixing the support. If no one's free, running is the right choice.
- Big areas with lots of space. Small areas force decisions.
- Taking out the strong runners. Give them the job of drawing defenders instead.