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Planning a Practice

Planning

Keep a coach’s diary over the season. Make notes on each session, what went well, what needs more work, and any injuries. It becomes a great reference for planning.

Build your own session plans with the Rugby Toolbox training planner. You need to be logged in to save them. See My Training Plans 101 for how.

Remember, you want to:

  • Catch them. Start with a fun game or activity to get them moving and motivated.
  • Coach them. Pick one key skill at a time. Keep explanations short and show, don’t tell.
  • Practise them. Give plenty of chances to use the skill, ideally in games that look and feel like rugby, not long lines and drills.

Organisation

Plan your session before you get to training. Turning up with a bag of balls isn’t enough.

How many players do you have?

This will vary with your grade and who turns up. Make sure you have enough equipment and enough space for everyone to be active.

What equipment do you need?

There’s a lot of rugby gear around, but more gear can get in the way of what you’re trying to achieve. Keep it simple.

Essential equipment

  • Whistle. A clear signal to start and stop activities, and it saves your voice.
  • Balls. Have plenty, at least four, and the right size for your players. The more time players have the ball in their hands, the more they learn.
  • Cones. Mark out playing areas, grids and boundaries. The more the better.
  • Hit shields and tackle bags. Not needed for junior practices. If you use them, make sure they are the right size for your players.
  • Poles. Good for evasion skills like the side-step and swerve.
  • Bibs. Essential for small-sided games. Turning shirts inside out works too.
  • Mouthguards. Compulsory at every training and every game.

Major considerations

  • Space. Half a field is a good rule of thumb, but you can run a good session in a 20m x 20m area. Mark your boundaries clearly.
  • Weather. Have a plan if it rains.
  • Safety. Check your training area before you start. Keep it clear of bikes, potholes, scrum machines, glass and other hazards.
  • Time. Most teams only get one practice a week, so make it count. For this age group, an hour is plenty.

Know your team

  • Who has played before and who hasn’t?
  • How old are they?
  • What can they already do, and what do they most need to work on?
  • What do they enjoy? Ask them.

Pick activities that match your players’ ability, not what you’ve seen elite teams do.

Keep it moving

  • Keep the session fast-paced. Stop briefly to explain or reinforce a skill, then get them playing again.
  • Keep everyone busy. No waiting in lines or standing around.
  • Small-group passing, catching and running games beat relay lines and laps of the field.
  • Work in 10 to 15 minute blocks. Any longer and young players lose interest.
  • Finish with a game. It’s what they came for.