Tag Rugby
Invasion Games | Years 3–4 | 6 Lessons
Tag Rugby Sessions
These basketball sessions focus on developing passing, movement, attacking space, and defending within small-sided games. Lessons are progressive and suitable for indoor or outdoor delivery.
Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: Using Tag Belts
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To understand how to wear and use a tag belt correctly
- To practice tagging safely and fairly
- To begin developing awareness of space when attacking and defending
Success Criteria:
- I can wear my tag belt correctly with tags visible
- I can tag an opponent safely by removing one tag
- I can dodge and avoid my tags being removed
Key Words:
- Dodge
- Awareness
- Agility
Equipment:
- Tag Belts/bibs
- Cones
Preparation Idea (warm up) – Chaos Tag
Everyone is on for this game. Aim of the game is to dodge and avaid others. If you are tagged, you sit out on the outside of the area. To get back into the game, the person who tagged you must have been tagged and out of the game, allowing you to return to the game.
If you tag someone at the same time as they tag you, you do rock paper scissors to find a winner. Winner stays in, loser goes out. You cannot be tagged when doing rock paper scissors.
Skill Development:
Red or black
Children to be in pairs and given a tag belt each. They will line up on either side of a middle line with an end line 5-10m away on either side of them (depending on space available). One side is the red team, the other side is the black team. Whichever colour is called become the attacker and must retreat to their end zone line. At the same time, the other colour becomes the defender and must try to retrieve their opponents tag belt before they reach the end zone.
Progressions:
>For higher ability groups, place a rugby ball in the middle at the beginning of the game. The attacker must pick up the ball and then retreat to their end zone line. This makes it more difficult for them to keep their belts as they need to perform an extra action before retreating.
Foxes and rabbits
Choose 3-4 players to be the foxes. The rest of the class will be rabbits and will need to put on a tag belt. The job of the foxes is to grab as many tag belts from the rabbits as possible in the time allotted (2-3 mins). If a rabbit gets both tag belts removed, they are out of the game and have to stand to one side. The foxes with the most belts at the end of the game are the winners. We are looking for good spatial awareness from the rabbits to move into open spaces and avoid the foxes. We are looking for the foxes to have good agility and accuracy in grabbing the tag belts
Progressions:
>Ideally, you want two separate games going at the same time.
>The low ability group will continue with the same game, the only difference being that the space they are working in is smaller.
>For high ability groups, allow all of the class to become both the foxes and rabbits. Their job is to collect as many belts as possible in the allotted time (2-3 mins per game) and at the same time protect their own belts from being removed
Game – Cross My River
Choose 2-3 people to start in the middle of the area. Everyone else lines up on one side of the area. Their job is to make it to the other side of the area without having their tag belt removed by a player in the middle. Once their tag belts are removed, they become another player in the middle. This may become a safety concern depending on the space available to you. If there are too many players in the middle, you may rotate these players between each go with the others sitting out.
Progression:
>For higher ability groups you may want to make the space smaller to make it more difficult for them to cross. Naturally, the higher ability children will last longer in the game and as more players are added into the middle, the game becomes naturally more difficult.
>You may also want to only give certain children one belt (so they only have one chance) rather than two belts (which you may give to lower ability children for them to be given extra opportunities to stay in the game)
Teaching points:
- Ensure the children put on the tag belts correctly and place a tag either side of their hip. We shouldn’t have tags at the back or at the front.
- We are looking for the children to have good awareness. Can they be aware of what is around them as they are moving. To help, they need to keep their heads moving and constantly looking around them
- They also need to be able to change direction quickly. To help with this, explain to them they need a low centre of gravity (being closer to the floor). This can be achieved by slightly bending the knees and ensuring they are on the balls of their feet to move quickly across the floor
- The children cannot use their hands to protect their belts. They must allow a defender to be able to grab a belt from them.
Key Questions:
- What do we mean by the terms dodge and avaid? How can we achieve good dodging and avaiding in today’s session?
- What do we mean by awareness? What will help us to be aware of those around us?
- What do we mean by the term agility? How can we achieve good agility in the session?
National curriculum links:
- Using running in isolation and combination
- Develop control and balance through playing rugby
- Play competitive games against others applying principles for attacking and defending
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing good team work and collaboration skills (defenders during games working together)
- Showing fairness when playing games
- Being honest when playing games
- Improving listening skills and following instructions of games
Lesson 2: Basic Passing & Catching
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To be able to use the correct technique when passing the rugby ball
Success Criteria:
- I can pass the ball to a teammate using two hands
- I can catch the ball with control
- I can move into space to help my team
Key Words:
- Technique
- Control
Equipment:
- Rugby Balls
- Tag Belts/bibs
- Cones
Preparation Idea (Warm Up) – Germs & Medicine
Choose 3 children to be taggers. Their job is to try to tag as many people as possible. Choose another 3 children to be medicine. Give these players a rugby ball each. When someone is tagged by the germ, they must freeze on the spot and the medicine must ‘pass’ the ball to that person (hand the ball to the person rather than throwing it), who will then take over as the medicine. Their job will then be to free someone else who is frozen.
Progressions:
>We are looking for those who receive the ball to sprint off into a space as they receive it and then to free someone else. >Higher ability may be given a time limit to find someone else to hand the ball to.
Skill Development
Pass the ball
Children to be in pairs and given one ball between two. Stand 3-4m away from your partner and practice passing the ball with good control and technique (See technique in teaching points)
Allow the children time to practice this pass. We want to see the children aiming for their partner’s hands and making sure that we are in the ready position to receive the pass.
Progressions:
>Standing further apart from one another.
>Practice passing from different angles and use the release from both directions (both left and right)
Challenge:
>Challenge the pairs to complete as many passes as possible in one minute without dropping the ball. If the ball drops, they must start again
Passing and moving into space
This task is similar to the one above. However, this time, the pairs will be on the move as they are passing the ball. The children can pass the ball in any direction at this point, we want them to concentrate on having good technique and control when passing the ball.
Progressions:
When the catcher receives, they must sprint into a space before passing back.
Game – Piggy In the Middle
Split the class into teams of 4. One ball between the group in their space. We are focusing on the passing and technique & not the defending aspects of the game. Start the game in a 3v1 situation where the 3 people have to try and pass the ball around inside their area without the one defender (piggy) intercepting. We are looking for good passing technique and control when passing the ball. Allow the person with the ball to move around the area before passing to a team mate.
Progressions:
>Those with the ball cannot move, meaning their team mates have to find space to receive a pass.
>We can also change the teams to a 2v2 situation which will make it more difficult to complete passes.
Challenge:
>Can we complete a set number of passes in a row without the defender intercepting.
Teaching Points:
- Technique – create a W shape with hands on the ball, thumbs touching. Spread out your fingers on either side of the ball. Standing sideways to your partner (as the ball can only be passed sideways and backwards in rugby) create a pendulum swing with your arms and release the ball pointing your arms towards the receiver. The ball should remain in the same shape and should not flip in the air to make it easier for the receiver to catch the ball
- Catching – Hands out in a W shape to receive the ball and then clutch the ball to the body to secure the ball. This is called the ready position
- When we are looking to pass, we should be looking to aim towards our partner’s hands. This will make it easier for our partner to catch the ball. Those ready to catch should be in the ready position with their hands out in a W shape and slightly bent knees.
Key Questions:
- When passing a rugby ball what shape should we make with our hands?
- When receiving a pass, what position should we be in? Can you show me that position?
- When passing the ball, where should we be aiming? (think what part of the body)
- How should the ball travel through the air? Why is this?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop control and technique through playing rugby
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing communication skills
- Developing confidence in trying new skills and activities
Lesson 3: Passing Continued
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objective:
- To be able to send and receive the ball with good control
- To pass the ball while moving
Success Criteria:
- I can pass the ball accurately to a moving teammate
- I can pass and then move into space
- I can choose when it is best to pass
Key Words:
- Accuracy
- Control
Equipment:
- Rugby Balls
- Tag Belts/bibs
- Cones
Preparation Idea (warm up) – Pass & Move
Class given a ball between two and spread out around the area. The person with the ball must move around with the ball in their hands looking for space to move into. Those without the ball are doing exactly the same but without the ball. When the teacher calls ‘pass’, the person with the ball has to find someone without the ball to pass the ball to.
We are looking again for good technique when passing the ball (pendulum action with hands either side of the ball) as well as good technique for catching (W shape grabbing either side of the ball)
Skill Development
Pass along the line
Class to be split into even teams of 5. Have one line set up on one side and another around 10-15m away. The team line up one behind the other and the ball starts at the front and has to be passed through everyone to the back of the line. The person at the back then runs to the front and repeat the process. This moves the line forward. Keep repeating until they reach the line on the other side
Progressions:
>Higher ability groups have to travel further to get to the line.
>They could also stand further apart from one another and if the ball is dropped, the ball has to go back to the front of the line
Challenge:
>This can become competitive race between groups. If the ball is dropped, the ball must return to the start.
Ball-lextrics
Children should be in teams of 5-6 people. Each group needs 2 balls. Set out cones in a circuit making sure the start and end of the circuit are attached (a circle may be the easiest way of doing this) and have each child stood on a cone. Staying on their cone, the children will begin to pass the balls around the circuit from start to finish (you may want to begin with one ball and add a second in later).
Children should look to catch the ball and then pass to the next person on the circuit. As you introduce the second ball, the aim is to not allow one ball to catch up to another. If this happens, the game ends and the children must restart. How long can they keep the circuit going?
Progressions:
>Vary the distance size on the circuit with some short passes and some longer and allow the children to figure out different amounts of power needed for each pass.
>If someone drops the ball, they must place the ball on their head and count to 3 (as a time penalty for dropping the ball)
Game – Small Sided Game
Class split into groups of 6 in a small area. Start with 4 attackers and 2 defenders. Each person has a tag belt on for this game.
The idea is for the attackers to complete as many passes as possible. The job of the defenders is to grab the tag of the person with the ball. If the attackers complete 8 passes in a row, they are awarded a point. If the defenders either remove the tag of the person with the ball or the ball touches the floor, they are awarded a point.
The defenders cannot intercept the pass, they can only remove tags. Ask the attackers to show composure when passing. Do not panic and just throw the ball as the defender comes close. Can you dodge and avoid them before passing the ball on. You can move with the ball in your hand.
Progressions:
>Split the group into a 3v3 game to make it more difficult to move.
>You can also decrease the area to make it more difficult to complete passes
Teaching Points:
- We are looking for good control in our passes. Ensure the children are using the correct power to pass the ball and that they are aiming for their partner’s hands. Those waiting to receive the pass should be in the ready position
- We are looking for good technique. Ensure the children are using the pendulum technique for passing and that when the ball is traveling in the air, it is staying straight and is not flipping.
- Can we see good communication from the children when passing to each other. They should be calling out each other’s names when passing and wanting to receive
- When playing the small sided games, we want the children without the ball finding spaces to be able to receive the ball. They should not just be standing still. If they are not in a space, can they have the awareness to look, find a space and then move into it. Defenders can only remove the tag belt of those with the ball. If the ball is thrown to the floor, either team can pick it up.
Key Questions:
- When passing the rugby ball, what will make it easier for our partner to catch the ball?
- How does your partner know you are ready to receive the ball?
- How can we help the person who has the ball when playing the small sided game? – looking for space and calling for the ball when we are ready
National curriculum links:
- Using running, catching and throwing in isolation and combination
- Developing control and technique through playing rugby
- Playing competitive games against others, using simple attacking and defending tactics
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing communication skills
- Showing compassion and empathy to others
- Showing and developing good sportsmanship skills
Lesson 4: Passing & Learning The Rules
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To understand the rule of passing backwards or sideways
- To apply the forward pass rule in simple games
- To make good decisions throughout the session
Success Criteria:
- I can explain that passes must go backwards or sideways
- I can follow the forward pass rule during games
- I can stop and restart play when a rule is broken
Key Words:
- Accuracy
- Control
- Forward pass
Equipment:
- Rugby Balls
- Tag belts/bibs
- Cones
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Germs & Medicine
Everyone is given a tag belt. Choose 4-5 people to be germs. These are the taggers in the game. They must remove the tags from those who don’t have a ball. Choose the same amount of people to be medicine. These are given a ball.
Their job is to pass the ball using good technique to those who have been tagged. Those who have the ball passed to them then become the medicine and must find someone else to pass the ball to.
Skill Development
Passing around the diamond
Class to be split into groups of 5. A diamond shape is to be created with an extra cone in the middle as well. Each person starts on a cone with an extra person starting behind the person with the ball.
The aim is to run into the middle of the diamond to the cone and pass the ball either to the left or the right. They then follow their pass and swap with the person that now has the ball. Repeat this around the diamond until each person has had a number of turns each. Swap the direction of the pass so that the children have a turn passing in both directions.
Passing in 4’s
Children to be in groups of 4. They are to create a diagonal line with cones and will each stand on a cone. The ball starts at the top line and the ball is passed down the line to the person at the back. This person then runs with the ball to the first cone and each person moves down one cone. Repeat this until everyone is back to their start point.
Challenge:
>This could become a race game where each team compete against each other to see who is the quickest team. First team to have everyone back at their original spot are the winners
>Now set up 2 lines approx. 10m apart from one another. Teams of 4 line up at one side and move from the start line to the try line passing the ball along their line. Remember to start in a diagonal line. When someone receives the ball the must move forward with the ball and the person who has passed the ball needs to move behind the person with the ball to receive the ball again.
Progressions:
>Start this activity by walking to make it easier for teams and progress to a jog
Game – 3v1
Explain the offside rule to the class:
>Offside rule – When a player/team mate is further forward than the ball carrier
>Forward pass – When the ball is played forwards, a foul is given and the opposition are given possession
Groups to have a 10m x 6m area each to work in. 3 attackers v 1 defender in the area. Have a start line on one side a try line on the other. Attackers begin on the start line and have to move the ball to the try line. The defender’s job is to stay on the try line side of the ball and try to remove the tag of the person who has the ball. The attackers have 3 attempts to reach the try line (tags need to be removed three times by the defender)
Rules:
>Attackers must make 2 passes before going over the try line
>Defender has to remove 3 tags (only from those who have the ball) to win a point. If they do this the attackers must start from the start line again
>If the defender removes a tag, they must get back onside (make sure they are behind the attacker with the ball)
>Remember the ball can only be passed sideways and backwards
>Each attacking side get three attempts at scoring a try. Swap the defender after three attempts.
>Remember to stay behind or side on to the person with the ball to receive a pass. Any forward passes mean the game starts again. Ask the children how they move closer to the try line (they have to run with the ball). The ball carrier should always be the closest to the try line. All of their attacking team mates should be behind the ball carrier.
Teaching Points:
- We are looking for good power and aim in our passing to ensure we have good control. Ensure the children understand where they are aiming when passing (which should be our partner’s hands) and why they are aiming there.
- We cannot pass the ball forward in rugby. We can only pass sideways and backwards. So, to move forward, encourage the children to run with the ball. This will be the only way they can get closer to the opposition line. When a defender comes towards them, that is when they should pass the ball, making sure it either goes to a player to the side of them or behind them.
- Encourage the ball carrier’s team mates to be on line with them or slightly behind them as they are carrying the ball (imagine an invisible line that you cannot go past). This will make it easier for the ball carrier to pass the ball to them.
Key Questions:
- In rugby, which directions can we pass the ball?
- What happens when we pass the ball forwards? – foul is given
- Explain the offside rule?
- How can you help your team mate when they have the ball?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop technique and control through playing rugby
Social/environmental skills:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing communication skills
- Developing good decision-making skills
Lesson 5: Dribbling & Dodging With The Ball
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To be able to effectively dribble (run) with the ball
- To be able to dodge and avaid with accuracy
Success Criteria:
- I can run with the ball while keeping control
- I can dodge to avoid being tagged
- I can choose when to run or pass
Key Words:
- Dodge
- Evade
- Agility
Equipment:
- Rugby Balls
- Tag Belts/bibs
- Cones
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Red & Black
Children to be in pairs with a tag belt each and one ball between two. This game works similar to the game previously, but instead of the teacher calling red or black, they will now just say ‘go’. When this is called, both players need to attempt to get the ball.
The player who gets the ball needs to then retreat to their end zone without the other (the defender now) grabbing their tag. When the attacker grabs the ball, they get a point and if they reach the end zone they get an extra point. If the defender grabs the tag, they get a point. Winner is the person with the most points
Skill Development
Through the gates
Split the class into two teams. One team will be the attacking (running) team and the other will be the defending team. The defending team will each be given two cones that they have to create a gate with (around 5m wide). Their job is to protect their gate and not let anyone through.
The attacking team will each have a tag belt on and will be given a ball to move with. Their job is to try to get through as many gates as possible without having their tags removed. If your tag is removed, you don’t score a point for going through the gate. Instead, you must stand outside the area and reattach your belt before coming back into the game.
Progression:
>Increase/decrease the size of the gates depending on abilities. High ability defenders will find larger sized gates harder to defend, whereas high ability attackers will find smaller gates harder to run through.
Challenge:
>Give each team a set time to go through as many gates as possible (could be 3-4 mins)
En guard
Set up an area with a start and end line. If you have enough space, 3 separate areas would allow all children to be playing at the same time. If not, just split the class and have some waiting for a turn. Get the children into pairs but allow several pairs to play the game at the same time.
The attacking player is given a ball. Their job is to get from the start line to the end line without having their tag belt removed by their partner. As there are several pairs playing at the same time, can the attacker use other players to dodge, avaid and create space to avoid having their tag belt removed. If they reach the end line, they then walk down the side of the area back to the start line and start again. If their partner removes their belt, they swap roles.
Progressions:
>Increase/decrease the size of the space depending on how well pairs are doing. You may want to split the class into different ability levels. Lower ability may find it easier in a larger space.
>Higher ability children could be challenged to perform different moves/skills to avoid having their tag belt removed.
Challenge:
>Make the game competitive by getting pairs to keep scores. Every time the attacker reaches the end zone, they get a point
Game – 4v4
Create an area with an end zone at either end. Small game of tag rugby 4×4. To score a point, a player has to place the ball over the end zone with 2 hands. Rules are:
>If tag is removed, player must stand still and has 3 seconds to pass the ball
>When tagging someone, shout ‘tag’ and hand the tag back to the owner
>The ball must be passed sideways or backwards. Forward passes result in possession being awarded to the other team
>The attacking team have 3 attempts to get to the end zone. If 3 tags are removed, possession is overturned.
Teaching Points:
- We want the children to be able to identify the free spaces and then effectively move into those spaces. They can achieve this by keeping their heads up whilst moving and when they see free spaces, quickly move into those spaces
- To dodge and avaid, we want the children to be able to weave and change direction quickly. One move could be a ‘drop of the shoulder’ where you take a step to one side, as if you are going to move that way, before quickly changing direction and moving in the other direction.
- Again, talk to the children about when to pass and when to dribble. If they have free space in front of them, dribble with the ball. If a defender is close by and a team mate is standing alongside or behind you (in an onside position) and is free, pass them the ball and they can carry on moving the team forward.
Key Questions:
- What things can help us to dodge and avaid successfully?
- How do we know when to dribble (run with the ball) and when to pass?
- What skills or tricks could you use to get past a defender?
National curriculum links:
- Use running, throwing and catching in isolation and combination
- Develop technique, balance, agility and control through playing rugby
- Play competitive games against others with simple rules
Social/environmental links:
- Developing team work and collaboration skills
- Developing communication skills
- Developing good decision-making skills
- Showing creativity in their work
- Showing leadership skills by making decisions that can help the team
Lesson 6: Tag Rugby Games
Warm-up • Skill Development • Game
View Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives:
- To apply skills in a competitive game situation.
- To follow rules and play fairly.
- To demonstrate teamwork and respect.
Success Criteria:
- I can use dribbling, passing and defending in a game.
- I can follow simple tag rugby rules.
- I can work as part of a team and show fair play.
Key Words:
- Teamwork
- Rules
- Fair play
Equipment:
- Rugby Balls
- Tag Belts/bibs
- Cones
Preparation Ideas (warm up) – Team Warm Up
Depending on the size of the class, split the children into even teams (of 5-6 max per team)
Give each group a ball and allow them to go and create their own warm up. This should include a dynamic movement (jog, shuttle), a stretch (1 stretch per person in the group) and practice passing the ball in the group
Game – Tag Rugby Games
Explain to the class as they are split into their teams that teams will not only be judged on how they play in the games, but also how they can show good sportsmanship, collaboration with team mates and displays of improvements throughout their games. They should be looking to encourage their team mates, come up with simple tactics to improve performance and display good sportsmanship behaviours when both winning and losing.
Recap rules:
>You have 3 seconds after losing your tag to pass the ball
>The ball can only be passed sideways and backwards
>Attacking team have 3 attempts at crossing the try line to score
>Tagger must hand back a tag before joining back in the game
>To score a try, the ball must be touched to the floor past the try line, whilst holding the ball
>If the ball goes out at either side, a pass in is awarded
| Court 1 | Court 2 |
| 1 v 2 | 3 v 4 |
| 1 v 3 | 2 v 4 |
| 1 v 4 | 2 v 3 |
You can also play this if you only have one pitch available
Points:
Win = 5 points
Draw = 3 points
Loss = 1 point
Teaching Points:
- Keep the children reminded of the offside rule and forward pass rule throughout the games.
- Remember, to move forward when playing rugby, we need to travel (dribble) with the ball.
- To score a try, the children must touch the ball to the floor, whilst holding the ball. If the ball isn’t being held, the point cannot be awarded
- Make sure the children shake hands with the opposition at the end of the game
Key Questions:
- How can we show good sportsmanship whilst playing these games?
- How do we move forward with the ball in rugby?
- How do we score a try?
National curriculum links:
- Using throwing, catching, running in combinations
- Playing competitive tag rugby games with others, applying basic principles for attacking and defending
Social/environmental links:
- Learning to respect others
- Showing encouragement & compassion
- Being able to follow instructions and rules
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