Rugby Lesson 1
Grade: 7
Teacher: Ross No. Students: 30
Date: March 09
Time: 45 minutes
Equipment: 10 rugby balls, 40 cones or spots, 30 pinneys
Introduction (5 minutes):
Teacher: “Good morning/afternoon everyone. We are going to begin our rugby
unit today. Over the next eight classes I have set up a number of games and
drills which will help all of you have fun playing the game of rugby. Just a
reminder, can you please remember to be prepared for indoor and outdoor
activities each and every class, as we will be in the gym or out on the field at
different points throughout this unit. Also, we will always be playing touch rugby,
and never tackle. This is to allow everyone to participate and have fun. Today we
are going to start with a team passing drill using a grid. I will be making teams of
four, and I will ask one person to get four cones and make a 15m by 15m grid.
There will be two teams of four playing in each grid. The object of the game is
complete at least five passes within your team. The ball turns over to other team
when the pass is incomplete, intercepted, or the player with the ball is forced out
of bounds. You score a point when you touch the ball down to the ground after
making at least five passes. When you are passing (demo with a student), make
sure to hold the ball down with your arms straight, as you pass use a sweeping
motion, reach for the pass as you catch the ball. To start the game, place the ball
in the center of the grid, and use a countdown signal to start, then players may
race to gain possession of the ball. Can I please have you four in a team, and
(students’ name) can you please set up a square grid about 15m by 15m using
four cones, and can you (students’ name) please get 4 red pinneys for your
team. (Continue making teams and grids for the rest of the class). When your
grid is set up and your teams are ready you may begin.”
Warm-Up (5-10 min): Team Grid Passing Drill
Tactics
Use quick passing
Create space to get open by using quick cuts
Skills Developed
Reach, catch, sweep
If playing defense watch waist, stay low and
don’t leap out of position
Ball placed in middle of play area and teams
race to gain possession
Make certain number of passes before you
can score (ex. 5 to 8 passes)
Ball turns over to other team when pass
incomplete, intercepted, or player forced out
of bounds
Groupings
Teams of 3 to 5
Grid size about 15m x 15m
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Transition Point:
Teacher stops the activity and explains the Grid Passing Drill as per below:
Next Task (10 min): Grid Passing Drill
Tactics
Use quick passing
Create space to get open by using quick cuts
Skills Developed
Reach, catch, sweep
If playing defense watch waist, stay low and
don’t leap out of position
Begin play without a defender
Pass ball to space where a player is moving
to—communicate
Add a defender who tries to knock away or
intercept pass
Complete a certain number of passes to score
a point (ex. 5 to 10 passes)
Groupings
Can be in pairs or threes
Play with or without a defender
Grid with four corners and various sizes (ex.
4m x 4m)
Transition Point:
Teacher stops the activity and explains 360o Rugby as per below:
Explain that this drill is similar to the first activity but with scoring by touch the ball down in one
of the four perimeter goals.
Next Task (10 min): 360o Rugby
Tactics
Move to space with ball
Use quick cuts and fake passes
Skills Developed
Communication
Reach, catch, sweep
Touch ball down in goal to score
Ball placed in middle of play area and teams
race to gain possession
Make certain number of passes before you
can score (ex. 5 to 8 passes)
Ball turns over to other team when pass
incomplete, intercepted, or player forced out
of bounds
Groupings
Teams of 4 to 5 players
Grid range between 12m x 12m or 15m x
15m, 4 1m goals at each side
-teacher to walk around and provide feedback to individuals (regarding reading the
situation and cues of defender and team-mates, passing the ball with appropriate force,
and recovering to appropriate position)
-stop play to observe a team who is using good tactics
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Transition Point:
Teacher stops the activity and explains End Ball as per below:
Culminating Activity (5-10 min) End Ball
Tactics
Make quick passes to open team-mate
Move to space to get open
Skills Developed
Reach, catch, sweep
Defender watch waist, stay low
Ball placed in middle of play area and teams
race to gain possession
Make certain number of passes before you
can pass to your goalie and score (ex. 5 to 8
passes)
Goalie remains in goal to receive pass
Ball turns over to other team when pass
incomplete, intercepted, or player forced out
of bounds
Groupings
4 or 5 player per team
Grid size 15m x 15m with 2 2m goals, one at
each end
Closure: Gather students in and sit in group, ask questions
1) What did you like about today’s class?
2) What didn’t you like about today’s class?
3) Did you notice a difference between the beginning and the end of class?
4) How do you think today’s class will help you when you play a game of touch rugby?
Assessment:
Use worksheet to check for off-the-ball decision making (appropriate and inappropriate),
and on-the-ball skill used (effective and not effective skill execution). This can be done
by the teacher and/or by the students.
Questions to ask students (if applicable):
What is the correct way to pass the ball?
When trying to get open, what strategies do you use?
How do you communicate with your team?
What cues do you get from the person defending you?
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