What are some fun rugby drills for kids? In this article, we’ll go over some tips that rugby coaches utilize and teach you all you need to know about backyard touch rugby, a sport that combines fun and teamwork.
The Fun Hub is all about fun games and activities. Creating solid connections and confidence is a big part of the many benefits that kids’ group games such as rugby provides. A backyard rugby session is a perfect way to settle things, practice passing, and learn to catch the ball.
Touch rugby is one of the most popular and delightful variants of rugby. We have searched for some fantastic perks and privileges involving playing touch in your backyard together with family members!
Wholesome Backyard Touch Rugby
“Fun with ‘Touch Rugby‘? Is it possible? I know these questions will be arising in the minds of those parents who haven’t tried this classic game. But don’t worry, we’re going to show you how fun and mesmerizing touch can be!
Touch rugby, often known as tag rugby or touch football, is a prominent rugby variant that spans the 1950s. Touch rugby just slightly differs from conventional rugby. In this pastime, competitors do not tackle each other. But instead tap their rivals on their body, apparel, or even the ball with their hands.
This rugby variation is now a thriving sport with worldwide touch rugby tournaments. Touch rugby is a terrific non-contact method for youngsters to stay in shape and learn to play a team sport!
Everyone Wins with Safer Rugby
If your kids love team sports but are hesitant about the physical contact that comes with rugby, they might enjoy playing touch. Touch is a perfect activity to keep them active and fit during their summer break! Many children have loved this game for its fun yet straightforward nature – it’s also become an official sport in NZ and Australia (where it originated).
It’s a trend gaining momentum for some time now, but many parents still prefer to carry out this game in their backyard rather than full-on rugby avoiding violent clashes.
Touch Rugby is a fun and interactive way for children of all ages, including toddlers, to learn critical social skills. As you get more engaged in the game, it can be hard to exercise and help with fitness goals while making memories that last forever!
Having serenity and happiness is essential for having a long and healthy life. Playing fun games in your garden, such as touch rugby, enables you to establish the groundwork for coaching new abilities.
Touch Rugby Equipment, Positions, and Rules -Complete Guide
As we have discussed the advantages of playing touch rugby with kids, We will now list some vital things that will need you to play touch rugby in your backyard, such as field placements of the players and, finally, some of the game’s whimsical rules.
The Necessities
There is no specialized equipment required for touch rugby. Just some friends and a ball – that’s all it takes!
Professional players wear shorts, shirts with their team logo, socks/trainers+boots as footwear; this gear list will allow you to enjoy playing at an accessible level like what you do back home with your family or buddies when they come over after work.
Positions of Players on the Field
Touch rugby teams may include up to 14 players, with a maximum of 6 players on the field at any one time and continuous subs. Because you’ll be playing this game in your backyard, you may choose any number of participants based on the scenario. Touch rugby players are categorized in one of the following positions:
Centres
The centre is the name of the position in which players occupy the’ middle of the field’ is genuinely the side’s more consistent and fit athletes leading the team to score points and in defence.
Links
It is the position on the field where competitors situate between the middles and the wingers. They are the most crafty movers and ball handlers that facilitate communication between the centre and the wingers.
Wingers
It’s a position in which the individuals are on the margins of the field of play. They’re generally the quickest athletes on the squad since they have to cover a significant portion of the field and potentially earn many points.
Basic Rules of Touch Rugby
Here are some fundamental rules and regulations of Touch Rugby that have been completed by “Touch Football Australia” in the spirit of camaraderie, fair play, and a magnificent good time in the backyard.
Score lines should be set on each side of a 70m/50m long and broad field.
- Teams are limited to 6 people on the field.
- The game starts when one team taps the halfway mark.
- If a rule is breached, the opposite team gets six passes on the ball.
- When the ball is lost or knocked on the ground, a new possession is then gained. —
- Before being touched, attacking players can only move forwards or backwards.
- A free-kick is awarded if a pass is thrown forwards.
- Caution is issued if a player makes a late throw.
- When defending, any players must maintain 10 metres distance stay in the zone.
- After each touch, players roll the ball under the foot. In some cases, the player taps the ball.
- Once a roll or tap is done, play usually starts with a fast pass.
- If you grab the ball after the roll or tap, you may then sprint.
- When rolling the ball, the opposing team stays a minimum of 5-meters back.
- A try is scored when a side touches the ball on the goal line.
- Whosever team gets the most touchdowns is the champion side.
Learn Even More
To discover more about the principles of touch rugby, watch the video beneath. To understand the rules thoroughly, you may also examine this file from the Touch 8th edition handbook.
So, now that you’ve learned the fundamentals, you may go out and try it for yourself. Note that you are entirely free to modify the game into your fun backyard version based on the area and players available to you.
Touch Football Aus. (2019, August 27). How to Play Touch Football [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vQciY-wrU
Rugby Drills for Kids
Touch rugby, like other sports, takes practise, but unlike many other sports, it does not necessitate special equipment or facilities. Here are some fundamental rugby exercises for your kids to do in your backyard.
Remember, don’t put pressure on the youngsters to do well; instead, be the sort of rugby coach that supports a fun game; these activities are excellent warm-ups.
Passing Skills
- Form a rectangle using four cones or whatever you have in your backyard.
- Two lines of children stand parallel at the corners of one side of the rectangle, with one kid standing parallel at each cone on the opposite side.
- First, the two children at the head of each line go in together, passing among themselves until they reach the two individual children waiting on the opposite side of the rectangle.
- These kids pass back and forth, basically taking the ball back and passing it to the guys at the head of the line. They sprint to the back of the line, and the players in front begin the process all over again.
- The ball will constantly be moving.
Note: The receiver should have both hands extended, ready to grab the ball and call for it. The passer should keep their attention fixed on the target, hold the ball with both hands, and pass to it. When running, each passer must ensure that they are delivering slightly backwards or even with their opponent.
Dumping
Coach and assistant ( another player) stand about 15 feet away begin by passing a ball to the children lined up in parallel at the front of both lines. They run each with the ball and is touched by one of the two assistants or rugby coach out in front. As soon as they are touched, they must plant the ball (dump), not roll it and afterwards dash to the rear of the line. After each player has taken a turn, the sequence is replayed.
Pair up – dummy
Making a mock pass takes several basic abilities. Forwards and backs must entice defenders to pass or carry the ball forwards. So, the ball bearer should accelerate forwards with two hands, hips looking upfield.
Separate the youngsters into pairs. Each pair gets one ball in a parallel line run-up; the coach says ‘touch,’ and the runner’ plants’ the ball. Then the partner takes up the ball, pretending to pass it, and dashes ahead. When the coach says ‘touch,’ the ball is planted again, his partner goes up, and the fun starts again.
Evade
At each point of the cones or whatever you have, there is one line of participants—an attacker with a ball advances and attempts to ‘evade’ a defender who has moved forward. The defender must attempt to touch the attacker. The attacker continues in the place into which they have fled. The defence rushes to the other end lines up to have a go at attacking.
5 Meter
The whole team, in a configuration, comes forwards 5 metres, yells “touch,” the group pretends to touch, and returns 5 metres next to each other. Repetition is essential to note that the team must maintain a straight line.
Draw & pass
Coach out front as a defender in two lines behind each other between cones or markers. Each youngster on the right holds a ball, and the ball carrier goes ahead to the defence, while another player follows slightly behind. The player must back pass to another player before the defender contacts the ball carrier. As a result, the individual in possession of the ball commits the defender before passing—the player sprints and scores. The following two players go, and so forth.
Calls
Kids should be familiar with the following positions and touch cues.
Dummy half – The player who picks up the ball and passes it.
Runner – The player who gets the ball and advances.
Planter/ballplayer – A runner who is touched and dumps the ball on the ground.
Off-side — The defence team must return the ball 5 metres from where the attacking team previously played it.
Penalty – Team must return 10 metres rather than 5.
We are all mindful that it demands time and practise to get comfortable on the field. Therefore it’s crucial to study and learn from your favourite touch and rugby or rugby league players, whether centres, linkers, or wingers.
Conclusion
Touch rugby is a low-contact sport for all ages and abilities that emphasizes fitness and ability. After all, with hard work and devotion, youngsters may become more fit or improve their game. A child’s enthusiasm for the game will help them improve their touch rugby abilities.
Individual training is as vital as team training, if not more. Well, why not transform your yard into a rugby field to help train your kids, have fun with your family all at the same time.
If touch rugby isn’t your thing, try Soccer or Cricket by tapping their titles.
It seems wonderful. I think my son will love this game. He needs some action in his life
Improves running, agility and ball skills. Great way for boys and girls to play together. … Dads and mums can play too providing an opportunity for family bonding.
I just have a little question.
What age should kids start rugby?
You may start at five years old for competitive tournaments and in a team sport or as part of a club or school, but I would wait a few more years till they are about eight since it is rather demanding on time and the small ones for training. Regardless, for backyard recreational play, like passing the ball and kicking it about, you may start at three as soon as they can grasp the ball.
Hey,
My niece took some interest in rugby, unfortunately I know nothing about the sport, so had no idea how to even get started. I’m glad I found your site, now I have a better concept on the game. The drills are a great idea to get her practicing and learning and me being able to help her get better at the game, will go over these with her, thank you for the information.
What a wonderful concept! Even if you don’t know how to play, rugby is a game you can enjoy and these drills or even just throwing the ball around is a fun way to participate in this thing we call “rugby” in New Zealand.
You and your niece deserve a heartfelt thank you and all the best. Victor
Touch rugby is a fun and innovative way to play and have fun with the family without having to waste so much time teaching kids the rules of football. With less focus on formations and more focus on running to the other side of the field, rugby is the perfect sport that brings a little bit of soccer and football into the same field. For younger children, it is easily understood as keep-away with the objective of making a point if you can get the ball to the goal without being touched.
I think this would be great for family functions and I agree this would help with your child’s social structure.
Yes, Alex, it’s a low-cost pastime to undertake with only one ball. I can attest to touch rugby being an excellent game for family functions like volleyball. Everyone could play at some threshold. You could even play it in a smaller area being a little more meticulous. we used to tie up a jumper in a knot if we didn’t have a ball play it in the living room move the table and chairs aside, although I wouldn’t advise it on a high balcony or in a high rise apartment