Session plan
Under 12 rugby training session plan
An under 12 rugby session should be about 60 minutes of mostly games and ball work: a fun warm-up, passing and simple two on one decisions, a short block on falling and presenting the ball safely, and a small-sided game. Keep every player active with a ball and keep explanations short.
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Players
- 12 to 24 players
- For
- Under 11 and under 12 club or school teams
- Focus
- Handling, support play and safe contact basics
- Equipment
- One ball per two players, Cones, Bibs in two colours
The session, block by block
| Time | Block | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 8 min8 min | Ball familiarisation | Everyone has a ball as they arrive: around the waist, through the legs, figure-of-eights, then jogging while moving the ball around the body. Eyes up, fingers spread.Ball Familiarisation Series drill |
| 8 to 15 min7 min | Warm-up tag game | A chasing game in a 20m square, such as ball tag where the taggers pass the ball to tag. It gets them moving, turning and handling without lining up. |
| 15 to 27 min12 min | Passing progression | Pairs pass from close range, then step back, then walk, jog and run down the pitch passing. Look for a smooth swing across the body and early hands from the catcher.Pass Progression drill |
| 27 to 37 min10 min | Support and pass | Groups of three: one becomes a defender, the carrier runs at them and passes only once they commit, and the support player calls for the ball. Rotate every rep.Support and Pass drill |
| 37 to 45 min8 min | Falling and ball presentation | Learning to go to ground safely with the ball: from kneeling, then a squat, then walking. Roll onto the shoulder and upper back, never land on the hands, and place the ball long.Falling and Ball Presentation drill |
| 45 to 57 min12 min | Small-sided game | Touch or tag rugby, five or six a side on a narrow pitch, with your age grade's rules. Reward a try scored from a two on one with a bonus point. |
| 57 to 60 min3 min | Cool-down and review | Walk, light stretches and two quick questions: when should you pass in a two on one, and how do you fall safely? |
| Total | 60 minutes | |
Coaching notes
- Aim for every player to touch the ball as often as possible. Lines of six waiting for a turn are the enemy at this age.
- Explain in under a minute, then let them play and coach on the run.
- If your age grade plays full tackle, swap the falling block for the kneeling tackle progression and keep it at kneeling or walking pace.
- Praise good decisions, not just tries: a well-timed pass that lets a mate score counts.
Safety
- Follow your union's age-grade rules for contact, scrums and line-outs. They decide what this age group is allowed to do.
- Warm up properly before any contact, and only move a group to the next contact stage when they are doing the current one well.
- Pair players by size, strength and experience for contact work, not by friendship groups.
- Know the signs of concussion and stop any player you are worried about. If in doubt, sit them out, and follow your union's return-to-play guidance.
- Have a first aid kit, water and someone with current first aid training at every session.
Questions coaches ask
- How long should an under 12 rugby training session be?
- About 60 minutes is plenty for most under 12 groups. Concentration drops after that, and a shorter session full of games keeps them coming back.
- Should under 12s do tackling at training?
- Only if your union's age-grade rules allow tackle at this age, and only through a slow progression that starts on the knees. If your grade plays tag or touch, practise falling and ball presentation instead.
- What should I focus on with under 12s?
- Catching, passing, running into space and simple decisions like the two on one. Those skills carry into every level of the game.
- How do I keep a big group of kids busy?
- Run several small grids at once with three to six players each, and have a parent or older player help watch one grid. Small groups mean more touches and less waiting.