Guildford Rugby Club

Under 10's Junior Development Pathway

Age Group: Under 10's

LTAD Stage: Learn to Train

Train/ Match: 70:30

Window of Optimal Trainability (Focus of athletic training)

SKILLS. Learn fundamental rugby skills, continue with ABCs.
SPEED & Endurance
STRENGTH – Only using body weight

Overall Coaching Approach

Safety (Tackling still relatively new skill)
Keep it Fun!
Focus on learning new skills, use various games
Keep it concise & positive (SPF)
Coach through questions / make them think!
Keep them active (Max 30 seconds listening time only)
Concentrate on Skills development, especially newly introduced skills through breakouts from ongoing games
SAFETY – Continue to Develop correct/safe tackle technique which still requires a great deal of coaching looking for head on the correct side, ring of steel and tower of power
Players to run with the ball two hands (good habit to get into) and evade defenders and be creative. Even more team work.

Player Capacities

(Consolidate and develop previous age skills)

Technical

Consolidate & Develop Individual skills / Intro to new skills / cont. Develop tackling (Key element / safety)
Evasion

Swerve and dodge / avoid contact
Side step off both feet
Always go forward at space

Handling skills

Lateral Pass – both hands 5-8 meters
Decision making (2v1 & 3v2)
Pick & Pass and Sweep Pass

Contact Skills

Develop confident tackling (Front & Side) – SAFELY
Introduce covering tackling (from behind) – SAFELY
Falling and placing the ball – long and jack knife presentations
Pop up pass from ground.
Getting back on your feet – re-join game – BOUNCE
Introduction to offloads

Maul *(Priority over Ruck, as players rarely taken to ground by initial tackle at this age)

New Skill (3-4 players only).
Ball carrier – Stability & Ball presentation
Link Player – Body position (Tower of power), secure and deliver ball.
Defender – secure ball & player by wrapping ball carrier’s arms and ball

Ruck

New Skill (3 players only).
Ball carrier – to ground, then present or pass ball immediately.
Support player – secure ball or ruck over. (Tower of power),
Tackler – release, regain feet & contest.

Scrum

Uncontested. 3 nearest players (all should participate, subject to safety)
Tower of power

Backline attack

Re-alignment (attack and defence)
Support running & passing
Look for space

Tactical

Laws / Ethics

Knowledge of Mini laws (especially new elements)
Pass backwards / Offside / Scoring (Players may dive to score)

The GAME

Play full tackle games

Principles

Possession – work as unit to source possession
Continuity – maintain possession / Communication (encourage verbal skills)
Decision making – allow them to explore various game scenarios and their outcomes
Vision – Create/be aware of space and how to use it.
Formation – Different types of attack / defence formations based on what player sees.

Physical

Agility

Awareness of body space

Balance – Static & dynamic

Co-ordination and manipulation

Speed, Power & Endurance

Mental

Tolerance

Focus and concentration

Lifestyle/ Personal

Positive response to discipline & structure (Particularly important given introduction of TACKLING and new skills)

Self control, balancing personal needs / wants with others