Rugby Australia's junior pathway uses modified games to build skill and confidence step by step. Here's a practical approach to passing, catching and introducing contact safely.
Rugby union positions explained
A full rugby union team has 15 players: eight forwards (1 to 8) and seven backs (9 to 15). Younger kids play smaller versions with fewer players, such as 7-a-side, and positions come in as they move up to bigger formats. Here is one team attacking towards the top try line.
- 1
- Loosehead prop: a front-row forward who scrums, lifts in lineouts and carries the ball.
- 2
- Hooker: a front-row forward who throws the ball in at lineouts and hooks it in scrums.
- 3
- Tighthead prop: a front-row forward who anchors the scrum.
- 4
- Lock: a tall forward who jumps in lineouts and drives in the scrum.
- 5
- Lock: a tall forward who jumps in lineouts and drives in the scrum.
- 6
- Blindside flanker: a tackler and ball-carrier who works hard around the field.
- 7
- Openside flanker: a fast forward who competes for the ball on the ground.
- 8
- Number eight: controls the ball at the back of the scrum and carries it forward.
- 9
- Scrum-half: links the forwards and backs by passing the ball from the ruck.
- 10
- Fly-half: the main playmaker who decides whether to pass, run or kick.
- 11
- Left wing: a fast finisher who scores tries out wide.
- 12
- Inside centre: a strong runner and tackler who works close to the fly-half.
- 13
- Outside centre: creates space and gets the ball out to the wings.
- 14
- Right wing: a fast finisher who scores tries out wide.
- 15
- Fullback: the last line of defence who catches kicks and joins the attack.
At junior level, give every kid a go in the forwards and the backs. Younger age groups often play tag or small-sided games, so check the format your club uses.
Building blocks before the full game
Junior rugby union is taught through modified, age-graded formats — mini-rugby, walla rugby, and similar variations — that gradually introduce the sport's core skills before kids encounter full-contact senior rugby. The earliest focus should be on enjoyment and basic ball skills, not tactics or physicality.
Four drills that work well
1. Passing along the line
Kids line up across the field and pass the ball along the line as they jog forward together, focusing on the basic backward pass that's unique to rugby. Keep it slow and simple before adding speed.
2. Tag rugby
Using tag belts, one group attacks while another tries to remove their tags rather than tackle. This teaches positioning, evasion and game sense in a completely safe, no-contact format — the standard entry point for junior rugby.
3. Ball presentation practice
Once a player is tagged or (for older, contact-ready groups) tackled, they need to know how to present the ball safely to a teammate. Practice this in isolation, at walking pace, so it becomes automatic before game speed.
4. Mini-rugby game
A small-sided, modified game suited to your group's age and contact readiness. This is where everything comes together, and where most kids have the most fun.
Structuring a session
A simple structure that works well for junior rugby union:
- 10 min warm-up — light running and movement games
- 15 min passing along the line — building core ball skills
- 15 min tag rugby — positioning and evasion in a safe format
- 10 min ball presentation practice — for contact-ready groups
- 15 min mini-rugby game — putting it together
On introducing contact
Many junior programs delay real tackling and contact until a clear age threshold, using tag or touch variations beforehand. If you're coaching a group that is contact-ready, Rugby Australia's coaching courses (including the Kids Pathway Skills course covering U6-U12) are a genuinely valuable resource for learning safe technique before teaching it to kids.
Keeping young kids engaged
Attention spans are short at the youngest ages — keep drills brief, lean heavily on games over isolated skill repetition, and don't be afraid to let a session run a little unstructured if the kids are having fun and staying safe.
These drills are general suggestions — always adapt them to your group's age, ability and the conditions on the day. Always follow your club's official rules and safety guidelines around contact and tackling.
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