Conditioned Game = Numbered Defensive Touch
This conditioned game is focused on identifying space as an attacking team.
The Set Up:
Normal rugby pitch – dimensions of the pitch must be relevant to the age of the playing group and the number of players involved.
Players are split into 2 teams, which can be identified using bibs or different colour tops.
All players are numbered 1, 2 or 3 – an even amount of these numbers is required for the game to work most effectively.
The Rules:
Touch Rugby – conditions of the touch can be applied by the coach (two-handed, knee touch, grab touch etc.)
When a touch is made:
- Attacker must fall to the floor and present back to their time
- Defender must take a knee to simulate a tackle situation (they can return to feet when the pass is made away from the breakdown)
- Additionally, if the coach wants to include a simulated/ live breakdown this can be included. Personally, no breakdown works better as it encourages a quick game and requires the players to identify space quickly and while on the move.
At any point during the game, the coach will call a number (1, 2 or 3). If your number is called, when you are defending, you are out of the game for 1 phase/ until the next touch is made. When attacking you are always ‘live’ and will never need to take a knee.
When a defender is on the floor, they are unable to make any defensive actions and therefore are out of the game. This should provide space for the attack to identify and attempt to take advantage of.
Anytime an error is made, there will be a 2nd ball inserted into the game. This will change the point of attack & defence and create a period of transition which is a massively fundamental area of the game.
Key Coaching Points:
Questions to ask the players:
- Where is the space in this game? Where the defenders are that are on their knees.
- What do we need to do to identify this space? Get our ‘eyes up’ in attack to identify the space, before communicating this to all members of the team.
Coaching Tips:
Call the ‘numbers’ when a touch is being made – this gives the attack the chance to identify the space.
If the players are struggling, add a rule of a minimum 3 second breakdown. This will slow the game down and ensure they are focusing on identifying space to attack into.
