Flag Rugby Lessons – Lesson 1 - [email protected] - One ball per two students. Use rugby
and/or soccer balls and volleyballs. Do not use footballs. Flags and belts. Field markers.
Field organization – have several lanes 10 m. x 25 m. marked with cones or lines. You should have one
lane for every 6-8 students (3-4 pairs). Place a cone in the middle at both ends of each lane to act as a
starting point and goal line. Place a cone of different colour or size half way up one side of the lane to
mark the place for the defender to start from.
1) Partner passing, demonstrate proper technique: Stand sideways both facing the same direction
4 m. apart. Use two hands to hold the sides of the ball, point the tip down, fingers down, elbows
bent, push ball along belt line parallel with the ground. Follow through with the hands pushing
towards the target. Catcher make a target with a W thumbs touching, fingers spread out.
2) Catching and Passing Partner Challenge: how many catches can you make in 30 sec. Goal is to
use proper technique and catch every pass and catch one per second = 30 catches. Repeat.
3) Same thing while jogging side by side 4 m. apart from one line to another 40 m away. Catch
every pass!
4) Follow the Leader Partner Passing – ball carrier (B/c) is the leader, follower follows 4 m. behind.
Pass every five steps – turn your head and upper body to see your following partner and use the
same passing technique to make a good pass. Lead your partner so he can run onto the pass.
Once the drill is mastered give one minute to catch every pass moving from one line to another
40 m. away playing Follow the Leader.
5) Discuss the idea of passing to players behind you. Emphasize the B/c getting ahead while the
passer slows up once the ball has been passed to get behind for the next pass. B/c get ahead,
receiver get behind. You must pass the ball sideways or towards your own goal line only.
6) One vs. One –In the lanes prepared - the B/c starts at one end line 15 m. from the defender,
defender should start at the side of the lane at the designated cone. B/c starts with the ball on
the ground. When the B/c picks up the ball it is Game On! Defender can rush up to tag B/c with
two hands on the hips. B/c tries to deke defender to score a try on the goal line. B/c must get to
the goal line in 10 seconds (so the kids do not just jump around).
7) Repeat the one on one drill but get the flags on. Discuss dekes and defending tactics.
8) In the lanes prepared: Make a group of 4. Play 3 attackers vs. 1 defender. Start the drill with 3
attackers on the end line and one defender about 15 m. away on the side of the lane. Start with
a free pass while standing. Make sure the catcher is behind the passer. The B/c runs forward to
try to score by crossing the end line while maintaining both flags. If the defender pulls a B/c’s
flag, the B/c must pass to a supporter behind him. NO forward passes. If the ball is not caught
the defender wins. You might make 3 – 4 passes before you can run past the defender to the
goal line to score a try. Repeat with a new defender. When a flag is pulled the defender must
hand back the flag before chasing the new B/c. A 50 minute class usually can get to this point.