How do you plan a rugby training session?

Pick one or two focuses for the session, then build it in this order: warm-up, unopposed skill work, opposed work, a game that tests the focus, and a cool-down. Give each block a time so the session finishes on time.

How long should a rugby training session be?

Most club and school sessions run 60 to 90 minutes. Younger players do best with about 60 minutes, and a captain's run the day before a game is 30 to 40 minutes.

How many drills should be in a rugby session?

Usually four to six blocks plus a warm-up and cool-down. Fewer, longer blocks give players time to improve, while too many short drills means more explaining than playing.

Can I change these session plans?

Yes. They are starting points, so change the minutes, swap drills and adjust numbers to suit your squad. Keep the order of warm-up, skills, opposed work and game.

Session plans

Rugby session plans

A good rugby session plan runs 60 to 90 minutes and follows the same shape: a warm-up, skill blocks that move from unopposed to opposed, a game-based block where the skills are tested under pressure, and a short cool-down. Below are eight timed plans you can use as they are or adapt to your squad.

8 timed session plans

Under 12 rugby training session plan60 min · 12 to 24 playersUnder 11 and under 12 club or school teams. Handling, support play and safe contact basics.
Under 14 rugby training session plan75 min · 14 to 26 playersUnder 13 and under 14 club or school teams. Handling on the move, attacking decisions and tackle technique.
Under 16 rugby training session plan75 min · 16 to 30 playersUnder 15 and under 16 club or school teams. Tackle and breakdown technique, attacking overloads.
Under 18 rugby training session plan90 min · 18 to 35 playersUnder 17 and under 18 club, school and academy teams. Breakdown decisions, scanning, units and game tempo.
Senior club rugby training session plan90 min · 18 to 40 playersSenior club teams, men's and women's. Quick ruck ball, set piece and attacking tempo.
Rugby tackle technique session plan60 min · 8 to 30 playersAny team from under 14 to seniors, adjusted for age and experience. Safe, effective tackle technique off both shoulders.
Rugby pre-season fitness session plan75 min · 12 to 30 playersSenior and under 18 squads in pre-season. Repeat sprint ability, game fitness and repeated efforts.
Rugby captain's run plan35 min · The match-day squadSenior, under 18 and school teams the day before a game. Sharpness, calls and confidence.

How these plans work

Each plan lists every block with its minutes, so you can see exactly how the time is spent. Where a block uses a drill from our drill library, it links to the full write-up with setup, instructions and coaching cues.

The youth plans put technique and game understanding first and add contact in stages. Every team should follow its own union's age-grade rules for contact, scrums and line-outs, so check those before you run any contact block.

Numbers on the night never match the plan. Most blocks here work in small groups, so you can run more grids or change the number of defenders without changing the point of the drill.

Looking for a single drill instead? Browse the rugby drill library.

Questions coaches ask

How do you plan a rugby training session?: Pick one or two focuses for the session, then build it in this order: warm-up, unopposed skill work, opposed work, a game that tests the focus, and a cool-down. Give each block a time so the session finishes on time.
How long should a rugby training session be?: Most club and school sessions run 60 to 90 minutes. Younger players do best with about 60 minutes, and a captain's run the day before a game is 30 to 40 minutes.
How many drills should be in a rugby session?: Usually four to six blocks plus a warm-up and cool-down. Fewer, longer blocks give players time to improve, while too many short drills means more explaining than playing.
Can I change these session plans?: Yes. They are starting points, so change the minutes, swap drills and adjust numbers to suit your squad. Keep the order of warm-up, skills, opposed work and game.