Abu Dhabi Harlequins TAG Rugby
Coaching Plan
Contents
Week
Session Aims
Page
1
Introduction to Tag Rugby Skills
2
2
Passing Skills
4
3
Defensive play
7
4
Offside
9
5
Inter club tournament
11
Safety points for wearing tag belts:
1. Make sure all bibs and clothes are tucked in, so that they can not be
pulled
2. Tag belts to be worn over any bibs or clothes.
3. Tag belts should be worn with the buckle at the front and any extra
lengths of belt should be wrapped around the belt
4. One tag should be worn on either hip
5. all games should be played with all players on their feet, no diving at
any time
General Coaching Points
-
Try to colour co-ordinate cones, to allow you to move the children to
a specific area
When separating the squad into teams for games, try to make it
random
Use terminology the children can relate/understand
Use APES when planning your session: Active, Purposeful,
Enjoyable, Safe
Make sure the size of your practise area provides the relevant
intensity/pressure.
Position yourself so you can see the whole group
When explaining games/asking questions make sure you are
standing with no distractions behind you
-1-
Week One – Introduction to Tag Rugby Skills
WEEK
THE SESSION
OBJECTIVES
ONE
TAG RUGBY
INTRODUCTION TO TAG RUGBY SKILLS
Warm Up
The Session
Tag mania
KEY FACTORS
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
Basic: all players are to run and try and tag other
players whilst avoiding being tagged themselves.
If a tag is made the tagger stands still, holds tag
in the air, shouts tag and then hands it back to
the player who they tagged.
Variations:
- Individual/team tag mania
- Players allowed to collect tags, to see
who collects the most.
- Give points for tags still on belt (promotes
dodging).
- Use only left/right hand
-2-
Dodgers
1. look for and attack space
2. change direction
3. change speed
4. keep on balls of feet
5. no fending/handing off
Taggers
1. keep on balls of feet
2. have a low centre of balance
3. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
4. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand.
5. no pulling/pulling is allowed
6. stay within playing ares
Practise 1
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Keep Ball
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls
Basic: players with rugby balls are to try and
‘Keep the Ball’ by dodging and attacking the
space. Players without rugby balls are to try and
tag players with the rugby ball, if tag is made
tagger raises tag in the air, shouts tag and give
the tag back to the ball carrier who they had
tagged. The ball carrier must give the tagger the
ball they had. The new ball carrier can not be
tagged by the old ball carrier.
Ball carriers/attackers
1. look for and attack space
2. change direction
3. change speed
4. keep on balls of feet
5. hold ball in two hands
Taggers/defenders
1. keep on balls of feet
2. have a low centre of balance
3. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
4. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand
Variations:
- Team keep ball
- Less/more rugby balls
Practise 2
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Keep Ball – scoring tries
Rules around scoring a try
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls
Basic: same as above, but now with ball carriers
now having to run and score tries over the try
line. Once a try is scored the ball carrier must try
and score at the opposite try line and so on.
Ball carriers/attackers
1. look for and attack space
2. change direction
3. change speed
4. keep on balls of feet
5. hold ball in two hands
6. stay on feet when scoring
Taggers/defenders
1. keep on balls of feet
2. have a low centre of balance
3. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
4. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand
Variations:
- as above
-3-
Simple Tag Match
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Simple Tag Rugby
Normal TAG rugby with following rule changes
1. Only pass when have been tagged
- this include the beginning of each play
where a free pass should be
2. encourage passing backwards, only very
obvious ones should you penalize
-4-
1. Running when is possession of the ball
2. running toward the try line they are scoring
over
3. Support players close to ball carrier
4. Look/take time when passing
5. All tagging rules
Week Two –Passing Skills
WEEK
THE SESSION
OBJECTIVES
TWO ONE
TAG RUGBY
INTRODUCTION TO PASSING SKILLS
Warm Up One (6mins)
The Session
Tag mania
KEY FACTORS
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
Basic: all players are to run and try and tag other
players whilst avoiding being tagged themselves.
If a tag is made the tagger stands still, holds tag
in the air, shouts tag and then hands it back to
the player who they tagged.
Variations:
- Individual/team tag mania
- Players allowed to collect tags, to see
who collects the most.
- Give points for tags still on belt (promotes
dodging).
- Use only left/right hand
-5-
Dodgers
6. look for and attack space
7. change direction
8. change speed
9. keep on balls of feet
Taggers
7. keep on balls of feet
8. have a low centre of balance
9. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
10. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand.
Warm Up Two (6mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Keep Ball
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls
Basic: players with rugby balls are to try and
‘Keep the Ball’ by dodging and attacking the
space. Players without rugby balls are to try and
tag players with the rugby ball, if tag is made
tagger raises tag in the air, shouts tag and give
the tag back to the ball carrier who they had
tagged. The ball carrier must give the tagger the
ball they had. The new ball carrier can not be
tagged by the old ball carrier.
Variations:
- Team keep ball
- Less/more rugby balls
-6-
Ball carriers/attackers
6. look for and attack space
7. change direction
8. change speed
9. keep on balls of feet
10. hold ball in two hands
Taggers/defenders
4. keep on balls of feet
5. have a low centre of balance
6. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
4. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand
Practise One (10 mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS


End Ball – Basic
-
any number of teams, 4/5 players in each
team
each team has a start and finish cone 30-40
metres apart
teams have to get their ball to the finish cone
to score a try
Ball carrier is not allowed to move but can
move/turn around on the spot.
Can pass in any direction.
Running
- Ball carrier allowed to run towards finish cone
- Ball has to passed away from the finish cone
(backwards)
- on the coaches call ‘TAG’ they have to pass
to the next player
- Passer then has to join the back of the team,
encourage the team the follow the ball carrier.
Variations:
- Any drop ball and the team have to start
again
-7-






Pass with two hands on the ball.
Swing ball across the body in a under
arm fashion
follow through with arms to point to the
target when the ball has been let go
Pass in an away direction to where you are
shooting
Look/take time when passing
Accurate short pass
Hands up ready to catch
communication
Practise Two (10 mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Stuck in the Mud - Passing
Rules around scoring a try
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls (change
if necessary)
Basic: A set number of players are ‘Taggers’
(remove tags/put in bibs so they are identifiable)
and a few players have rugby balls. Taggers can
only tag players without the ball. If tagged by a
tagger, the player has to stand still with feet wide
apart and hands out. To be freed a player with a
ball must pass them the ball, they are now free
and must find some one else who is stuck to free.
Players with balls can not be tagged
Ball carriers/freers:
1. Face the player who you are passing to
2. Pass with two hands on the ball.
3. Swing ball across the body in a under arm
fashion follow through with arms to point
to the target when the ball has been let go
Taggers/defenders
4. keep on balls of feet
5. have a low centre of balance
6. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
7. Take tag with closest hand not favourite hand
Variations:
- Set the distance between passer and
person stuck,
- make the freed player pass the ball back
to the original freer
Simple Tag Match
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Simple Tag Rugby
Normal Tag rugby with following rule changes
1. Introduce the free pass to start play
2. Can pass when ever they choose
3. Passing backwards is a must
-8-
1. Running when is possession of the ball
2. Pass in an away direction to where you are
shooting
3. Look/take time when passing
4. Accurate short pass
5. Hands up ready to catch
6. Movement off the ball/ support play
7. Communication
8. Running toward the try line they are scoring
over
9. Support players close to ball carrier
10. All tagging rules
Week Three – Defence/ passing
WEEK
THE SESSION
OBJECTIVES
THREE
DEFENCE/PASSING
INTRODUCTION TO PASSING SKILLS
Warm Up One (10mins)
The Session
Keep Ball – with varaions
KEY FACTORS
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls
Basic: players with rugby balls are to try and
‘Keep the Ball’ by dodging and attacking the
space. Players without rugby balls are to try and
tag players with the rugby ball, if tag is made
tagger raises tag in the air, shouts tag and give
the tag back to the ball carrier who they had
tagged. The ball carrier must give the tagger the
ball they had. The new ball carrier can not be
tagged by the old ball carrier.
Variations:
- Team keep ball
- Less/more rugby balls
-9-






Ball carriers/attackers
look for and attack space
change direction
change speed
keep on balls of feet
hold ball in two hands





Taggers/defenders
keep on balls of feet
have a low centre of balance
keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
Take tag with closest hand not favourite hand
Practise One (10 mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Stuck in the Mud - Passing
Rules around scoring a try
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls (change
if necessary)
Basic: A set number of players are ‘Taggers’
(remove tags/put in bibs so they are identifiable)
and a few players have rugby balls. Taggers can
only tag players without the ball. If tagged by a
tagger, the player has to stand still with feet wide
apart and hands out. To be freed a player with a
ball must pass them the ball, they are now free
and must find some one else who is stuck to free.
Players with balls can not be tagged
Variations:
- Set the distance between passer and
person stuck,
- make the freed player pass the ball back
to the original freer
- 10 -
Ball carriers/freers:
8. Face the player who you are passing to
9. Pass with two hands on the ball.
10. Swing ball across the body in a under
arm fashion follow through with arms to
point to the target when the ball has been
let go
Taggers/defenders
11. keep on balls of feet
12. have a low centre of balance
13. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
14. Take tag with closest hand not favourite hand
Practise Two (10 mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Bull Dog/EndZone
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
Dodgers
 look for and attack space
 change direction
 change speed
 keep on balls of feet

Every player lines up at one end of the
pitch
 A set number of players are ‘Bull
dogs/Taggers’ they are in the middle of the
pitch.
 on coaches signal everyone tries to make it
to the other side without being tagged by
taggers
 If tagged or run off the pitch they become a
Tagger
Safety point - to avoid collisions control the number of
players running at one time. Example “only players
with yellow bibs on can go”.
Variations:
 Allow the tags to be lives so each player has
two lives.
 Get bull dogs to start facing different
direction, or start in different formation.
 Restrict the way everyone moves.
 Taggers only allowed to use left/right hand
Taggers
 keep on balls of feet
 have a low centre of balance
 keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
 Take tag with closest hand not favourite hand



Formation for team
Set a defensive wall/line
Try to keep in line
Do not chase players but stick to your
area/channel
Simple Tag Match
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Simple Tag Rugby


Normal Tag rugby with Emphasis on
 Defence line
 Quality of passing










- 11 -
Running when is possession of the ball
Pass in an away direction to where you are
shooting
Look/take time when passing
Accurate short pass
Hands up ready to catch
Movement off the ball/ support play
Communication
Running toward the try line they are scoring
over
Support players close to ball carrier
maintaining defensive line
All tagging rules
Week Four – Offside/ Game Play
WEEK
THE SESSION
OBJECTIVES
FOUR
DEFENCE/PASSING
INTRODUCTION TO PASSING SKILLS
Tag mania – with variations
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
Basic: all players are to run and try and tag other
players whilst avoiding being tagged themselves.
If a tag is made the tagger stands still, holds tag
in the air, shouts tag and then hands it back to
the player who they tagged.
Variations:
- Individual/team tag mania
- Players allowed to collect tags, to see
who collects the most.
- Give points for tags still on belt (promotes
dodging).
- Use only left/right hand
- 12 -
Dodgers
10. look for and attack space
11. change direction
12. change speed
13. keep on balls of feet
Taggers
11. keep on balls of feet
12. have a low centre of balance
13. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
14. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand.
Practise One (10 mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Stuck in the Mud - Passing
Rules around scoring a try
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
A quarter of the players with rugby balls (change
if necessary)
Basic: A set number of players are ‘Taggers’
(remove tags/put in bibs so they are identifiable)
and a few players have rugby balls. Taggers can
only tag players without the ball. If tagged by a
tagger, the player has to stand still with feet wide
apart and hands out. To be freed a player with a
ball must pass them the ball, they are now free
and must find some one else who is stuck to free.
Players with balls can not be tagged
Ball carriers/freers:
15. Face the player who you are passing to
16. Pass with two hands on the ball.
17. Swing ball across the body in a under
arm fashion follow through with arms to
point to the target when the ball has been
let go
Taggers/defenders
18. keep on balls of feet
19. have a low centre of balance
20. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
21. Take tag with closest hand not favourite hand
Variations:
- Set the distance between passer and
person stuck,
- make the freed player pass the ball back
to the original freer
Practise Two (10 mins)
The Session
Spend some time playing any of the games where the
children may be weak such as passing and catching.
- 13 -
KEY FACTORS
Simple Tag Match
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Simple Tag Rugby


Normal Tag rugby with Emphasis on
 The offside rule
Introduce the offside rule, with demonstrations,
making sure they know they need to be ‘there’
side of the ball










- 14 -
Running when is possession of the ball
Pass in an away direction to where you are
shooting
Look/take time when passing
Accurate short pass
Hands up ready to catch
Movement off the ball/ support play
Communication
Running toward the try line they are scoring
over
Support players close to ball carrier
maintaining defensive line
All tagging rules
Staying onside
Week Five – Anything to work on / mini
tournament
WEEK
THE SESSION
OBJECTIVES
FIVE
DEFENCE/PASSING
INTER CLUB TOURNAMENT
Warm Up (10 mins)
Tag mania – with variations
Rules around being/making a tag
25m x 25m grid – or relevant size
All players wearing tags
Basic: all players are to run and try and tag other
players whilst avoiding being tagged themselves.
If a tag is made the tagger stands still, holds tag
in the air, shouts tag and then hands it back to
the player who they tagged.
Variations:
- Individual/team tag mania
- Players allowed to collect tags, to see
who collects the most.
- Give points for tags still on belt (promotes
dodging).
- Use only left/right hand
Dodgers
14. look for and attack space
15. change direction
16. change speed
17. keep on balls of feet
Taggers
15. keep on balls of feet
16. have a low centre of balance
17. keep ‘eyes on the prize’ (tag)
18. Take tag with closest hand not favourite
hand.
Practise One (10 mins)
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Spend some time playing any of the games
where the children may be weak/not
understand such as passing and
catching/certain rules.
- 15 -
Inter club rugby tournament
The Session
KEY FACTORS
Inter class rugby tournament
-
split into even number of teams
play 5-7min games so each team can
play one another

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
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




- 16 -
Running when is possession of the ball
Pass in an away direction to where you are
shooting
Look/take time when passing
Accurate short pass
Hands up ready to catch
Movement off the ball/ support play
Communication
Running toward the try line they are scoring
over
Support players close to ball carrier
maintaining defensive line
All tagging rules
Staying onside