Junior rugby league is a modified, safety-first version of the game. Here's how to build skill confidence — including safe tackling technique — without rushing kids into contact before they're ready.
Rugby league positions explained
A full rugby league team has 13 players, numbered by position. Younger kids play smaller, modified games where positions don't matter yet, and positions are usually introduced from around U10. Here is one team attacking towards the top try line.
- 1
- Fullback: the last line of defence. Catches kicks and joins the attack.
- 2
- Right wing: finishes tries out wide and chases kicks on the right.
- 3
- Right centre: attacks and defends on the right, linking the halves and the wing.
- 4
- Left centre: attacks and defends on the left, linking the halves and the wing.
- 5
- Left wing: finishes tries out wide and chases kicks on the left.
- 6
- Five-eighth: a playmaker who runs, passes and kicks alongside the halfback.
- 7
- Halfback: the key playmaker who directs the team and links forwards and backs.
- 8
- Prop: a strong forward who carries the ball up the middle.
- 9
- Hooker: plays the ball from dummy-half and runs from close to the ruck.
- 10
- Prop: a strong forward who carries the ball up the middle.
- 11
- Second row (left): a forward who runs hard and also helps the backs on the edge.
- 12
- Second row (right): a forward who runs hard and also helps the backs on the edge.
- 13
- Lock: a hard-working forward who runs, tackles and links with the halves.
At junior level, rotate kids through the forwards and the backs. Playing everywhere helps them learn the game, and the right position for each kid usually only becomes clear in the older age groups.
What junior footy modifies from the full game
Junior rugby league uses smaller fields, reduced player numbers and simplified rules so kids can grasp the fundamentals gradually rather than facing the full complexity of senior rugby league straight away. The focus at junior levels is skill development and teamwork first, with technique-led, low-risk introductions to contact as kids progress.
A quick but important note: tackling technique should be taught progressively and only when a coach is confident in their own understanding of safe technique. The NRL runs accredited coaching courses specifically covering safe tackling, bracing and falling — if you haven't done one, it's worth looking into before introducing live tackling drills.
Four drills that work well
1. Catch and pass line
Kids line up and pass the ball down the line while jogging forward, focusing on catching cleanly with two hands before releasing a flat pass. Builds the foundational ball skills everything else depends on.
2. Tag tackle
Before introducing real contact, use tag belts or two-handed touch to teach tackling positioning and timing without any physical impact. This is the standard, safe entry point most junior programs use.
3. Brace and fall technique (low-contact)
For older or more experienced groups ready to progress to real contact, practice the correct braced body position and safe falling technique on soft ground, at walking pace, well before introducing it at game speed.
4. Modified mini game
Finish with a small-sided, modified game appropriate to your group's age and contact readiness — tag, touch, or full contact depending on what your league's rules and your players' development stage call for.
Structuring a session
Always include a proper warm-up and cool-down for this sport — the physical demands are higher than non-contact codes, and warming up properly reduces injury risk.
- 10 min warm-up
- 15 min ball skills — catch and pass
- 15 min tackling technique — tag or brace-and-fall depending on readiness
- 15 min modified game
- 5 min cool down
A reminder on safety
Rugby league does carry injury risk, same as any contact sport — the responsibility for teaching safe technique sits with the coach. If you're new to coaching this sport, look into your local league or the NRL's own coaching accreditation courses before running live tackling drills with your team.
These drills are general suggestions — always adapt them to your group's age, ability and the conditions on the day. Always follow your league's official rules and safety guidelines around contact and tackling.
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