RUGBY Skills & Drills for Coaches U7's & U8's

Each of the following activities covers a simple rugby skill appropriate for U8 age group.

This age group have just been introduced to rugby, so they probably know little about the game or how to play. This doesn't matter as the main objective is for the players to have fun!

Here are the main things you need to know about coaching and organising U8 rugby. Don't worry, it's not as hard as you think. The good news is that coaching the game has just got simpler!

Length of the session: The coaching, training, games or matches combined should last for no more than 60 minutes at U8. You should plan for no more than two activities each taking 20 minutes in total, followed by a game, also 20 minutes. Simple.
Setup: Arrive earlier than the players if you can, to set up the playing area for the chosen activities for the day. Set up two activities and be ready for the players to arrive.
Tag belts: Every player wears a tag belt during games but they don't always have to when taking part in activities, depending on the activity.

Tag belts have two removable tags (one of each side of the waist) fixed by Velcro-type fasteners. They can be torn off by a defending player, and this is the tag equivalent of a tackle.

The defending player should hold up the tag and shout "tag". The tagged player must stop and pass the ball. The tag must be returned immediately.