Objective: introduce both age groups to contact and contest principles together, establishing confidence, safety and a shared coaching vocabulary before the six-week programme that follows. By the end, players should show confidence entering contact, safe contact body positions, a quick return to feet, and a basic understanding of ruck entry.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10 min | Contact Chaos |
| 5 min | Dynamic Warm-Up |
| 10 min | Contact Confidence Circuit (4 stations) |
| 10 min | Tackle & Reload Challenge |
| 10 min | First Ruck Fundamentals |
| 15 min | Contest Rugby |
Contact Chaos
Goal: introduce physical interaction in a fun, fast, safe environment before any structured contact work.
All players move freely around a 20m × 20m area. Coach calls a challenge and everyone reacts immediately — partner wrestle, shield touch, ball carry race, fall and get up, mirror movement, chase and recover. Change the challenge every 30–45 seconds so nobody stands still.
Coaching point: stay active, communicate, keep moving, react quickly. If players hang back near the edge, shrink the area rather than calling them out individually.
Movement channel
Down a 20m channel: high knees, heel flicks, walking lunges, side shuffle (all 2 reps), bear crawl and accelerations (3 reps). Keep it moving — this is the physical bridge into contact work, not a static stretch.
Contact Confidence Circuit
Goal: introduce the key contact body positions through four short, controlled stations, rotating every 2 minutes.
Station 1 — Shield Push: body position, leg drive, confidence. Station 2 — Tackle Bag Hit: shoulder contact, contact confidence, technique. Station 3 — Wrestling Ring: balance, strength, competition. Station 4 — Fall & Recover: return to feet, reload habits, effort.
Coaching point: stay low, strong body shape, keep feet moving, return to feet quickly at every station.
Tackle & Reload Challenge
Goal: introduce safe tackle mechanics and the habit of getting straight back into the game afterwards.
Player approaches the tackle bag, makes shoulder contact, wraps tight, drives 2–3 steps, releases immediately, returns to feet and sprints through a 5m reload gate.
Coaching point: shoulder first, tight wrap, drive the legs, release quickly, sprint after contact.
First Ruck Fundamentals
Goal: introduce safe, effective ruck entry principles — this is an introduction to body position and contest, not a fully competitive ruck.
Groups of 3, ball on the ground with a shield over it. Coach demonstrates correct entry, then each player approaches with short controlled steps, takes a strong body position, binds onto the shield, drives over the ball, and stays on their feet before resetting.
Coaching point: low body height, strong base, flat back, bind first, stay on feet, drive beyond the ball. No diving in — short steps and control come before pace.
Contest Rugby
Goal: put the session's contact and contest principles into a live game, at each age group's own format.
5v5, two separate games on a split training pitch — one for the U10 group, one for the U12 group. Attack: carry positively, support early, protect possession. Defence: track, tackle, reload, contest.
Scoring
- Try = 5
- Good Tackle = 2
- Fast Reload = 1
- Good Ruck Entry = 1
- Communication = 1
Equipment checklist
- 30 cones
- 8–10 rugby balls
- 4 tackle shields
- 2 tackle bags
- Bibs
- Water, first aid kit