Under 8/10 – Using Space

Test Your Coaching – Using Space

One of the coach’s jobs is to teach kids the aspects of the game so as a challenge at this level you could introduce the concept of using space.
Most teams will still bunch up and follow the ball so the challenge is to get the players to anticipate what might happen next and take up a position on the field that will help the team continuity.

The Concept
Talk to your team about ‘using space’. You might get them to look at examples on the television and explain what has happened and why. Make sure they know why using space is important in rugby. Get them to tell you what situations in their own game can be improved and how they will do this. Make sure they know what you are talking about when you talk about the ‘shape’ of the game. Not only positions at set play but how they hold their shape in phase play so that the ball can be passed to players in better positions who are not under so much pressure.
At this level many players who get in to good positions might not get the ball so you need to work on this aspect. If you can achieve this your team will be hard to beat and have a lot more fun.

ACTIVITIES
1- Creating the Understanding
Set up a play from a set piece and get the team to run through a phase where they have a play to carry out. At the tackle point ‘stop’ everyone where they are.
Ask questions: who needs to be near the ball? / what should they be doing? / where would be a good place to attack now? / what would be good positions on the field for each player to achieve this?
Carry on with the play and stop one more time. Carry out the same questioning and find out what the team are thinking and whether they are beginning to understand what is required and why.
Do the same two or three times starting with different plays.

2- Checking the Understanding
During team runs randomly stop everyone where they are and discuss what could happen next. Where should everyone be positioned? What role will they have?

3- Using Bags as Tackle Points
Using about half the size of the normal playing field for the age group place three tackle bags (any bags/shields) at three random spots about 15 metres apart. Name bags ‘A, B & C’.
Players start at a determined point and the coach calls “A, B or C’.

On the call the players set up an attack at that point by running in to the appropriate positions as quickly as possible.
Discuss where each player might head to. Closest two players might head towards the tackle area and secure the ball. One more player might follow them in to provide a clean out, drive or to secure the ball. The next player can act as the halfback.
As the coach is hoping to create an awareness of space it is important that the players understand why they are spread across the field and that passing is an important aspect.
The coach and the team could make up some rules: Closest three at the tackle-ruck / next player in as halfback – he can pass or run / players spread across the field ready to pass and catch until a player is in space. Then they take off!
This sequence can be added to with use of plays designed by the team, use of both sides of the field, or even a kick across to a wide player.
If the coach has a big number of players then a defensive team can oppose the attacking team. They will run back to each bag as the letter is called.
Holding tackles might be sufficient at training.
The defensive team also must understand how to keep their ‘shape’.
How many go to the tackle point? Where do, the next tacklers go? (Beside the ruck) / Rest of tacklers spread across marking up the attack players. They need to look and decide where the best place to defend will be.

Good luck.