Conditioned Game = Bonzo Touch
This conditioned game is focused on play during transition periods, when attack and defence switches side. This period of the game is vital for success, due to it being a key area for the attack to achieve momentum, and consequently an important part for the defence to stop this momentum building.
The Set-Up:
This game predominantly works better for smaller groups, from the numbers of 9-15 (teams of 3, 4 or 5). Specifically this works really well during units split for the backs, as it is an important skill for the back 3 (wingers and full-backs).
Normal rugby pitch, including a line of cones on the halfway line – dimensions of the pitch must be relevant to the age of the playing group and the number of players involved.
Players are split into 3 teams, which can be identified using bibs or different colour tops.
Team A – starts on the halfway line
Team B – starts on 1 try-line
Team C – starts on the other try-line
The Rules:
Aim of the game – to achieve 10 points. Points are awarded for either scoring a try, or preventing the opposition scoring.
At all times, 1 team will be attacking, 1 team will be defending, and 1 team will be resting.
The attacking team will always be attacking halfway, which will act as the try line. In this example, Team A will be defending and Team B will be attacking, while Team C is resting.
Team B will attack against Team B, until they either score at halfway or make a mistake. At this time, the victorious team will earn themselves 1 point.
Then a transition will occur, Team A will run through and stand on the try-line that Team B previously started on, where they will become the resting team. Team B will now start on halfway and become the defensive team, with Team C attacking them.
This will be continuous, until eventually a team reaches 10 points and is the winner of the game.
For the phase to start, the team defending on halfway will always kick the ball to the attacking team – any poor kick can incur a punishment (losing a point from your team’s total).
Touch Rules:
- Attacker – bounce the ball on the floor, before passing the ball away.
- Defender – down-up. Chest to the floor and back up again, before they can defend.
Key Coaching Points:
Questions to ask the players:
- What is the key to success in this game? Ball retention in attack, work-rate in defence.
- What strategies have you thought about as a team? Key to find out if they are using problem solving skills when playing the game.
Transition – the team that wins the first phase is most likely to win each encounter. Transition is like a race, the quicker we react the better position we put ourselves in.
Coaching Tips:
Give each team 1 captain – they are responsible for keeping count of their score. For honesty, get them to shout their score every time they win a point (this will work better with the younger players).
