Return to Rugby - Touch Rugby Coaching Sessions FOR AGES U9/U11 ENSURE YOUR PLAYERS ARE FIT TO TRAIN

PRE TRAINING SYMPTOM CHECK:

YES YES

You must stay away from You must stay away from training and follow Public training and follow Public Health Wales guidelines Health Wales guidelines

Have you had any symptons within the last 7 days? NO NO

Have you been in contact with You are free to anyone with symptoms of the attend training Corona Virus in the last 14 days?

DO NOT COME TO TRAINING WITH:

A new, A high continuous Loss of smell or temperature cough taste (anosmia) RETURN TO SANCTIONED TRAINING SMALL GROUPS GET IN > GET DONE > GET OUT

Description of activity Who can attend training? Hygiene measures Social distancing measures permitted • I ndividuals who are symptom free for required required the last 7 days and have not been in • Gatherings of up to groups of 30. Pre training: Pre training: contact with anyone with symptoms • Symptom check in with the Club • Travel alone or in your household group. of the Coronavirus in the last 14 days. • Training groups of 10 - 15. Operations Manager. • No car sharing. Must check in with the Club Operations • Wash prior to training at home. • Parents to drop and pick only. • Conditioning / fitness / agility drills. Manager. • Change and prepare kit at home. • Prepare own nutrition at home During training: • No spectators. • Non-contact skills training. for after training. • Maintain at least 2m social distancing where possible. • Parents can be present for safeguarding • Ball skills. During training: • Avoid hand shaking/physical greetings. purposes but need to maintain social • No spitting. • No huddles or cuddles. • No wrestling, holding, tackling or binding. distancing. • Use own water bottle / equipment. • No sharing. Post training: • Sanitised balls and cones only. • Use hand sanitisers. • No idle chat on or around pitchside. • Limit use of mobile phone. • No huddles or cuddles. • Tag rugby for U7s/U8s age groups. Post Training: • Touch rugby for all other age groups. • Use hand sanitisers.

• NO MATCHES HYGIENE MEASURES REQUIRED

PRE TRAINING DURING TRAINING POST TRAINING

• Complete and pass the online • No spitting • Use hand sanitisers symptom check • Use own water bottle/equipment • Wash hands • Wash prior to training at home • No sharing – drinks / towels • Clean / sanitise equipment • Change and prepare kit at • Playing balls should be cleaned • No idle chat home pre / post • Prepare own nutrition at home • Use hand sanitisers • Travel alone or in your • Limit use of mobile phone household group • Maintain at least 2m social • No car sharing distancing throughout training • Parents to drop and pick up • Avoid hand shaking/physical only greetings PHASED RETURN OF COMMUNITY RUGBY Touch rugby activities can now be introduced at all levels of rugby in Wales as part of fitness and skills-based training sessions.

In-house activities only. Small groups No huddles Balls and cones only No matches against other teams (max 10-15)

Sanitise hands and balls before Sanitisation breaks Touch activity should take No Tackling/ and after touch activity every 20 minutes place at the end of sessions Wrestling/Rucks/Mauls/ within the small groups Scrums/Lineouts Registration and pre-training protocols remain the same, e.g WRU Game Locker symptom check, home hygiene and kit preparation. GUIDANCE OF TOUCH RELATED ACTIVITY AT THE END OF SESSION

Groups of 30 Max Split groups Weekly Session 1 Needs to be at least split into 10 – 15 into teams AvB & CvD only 48 hours between (e.g 7v7 + coach) e.g A, B, C, D Weekly Session 2 mixing groups AvC & BvD Only

Sanitise hands and A “touch” to be 1 or 2 Touch activities No Tackling/ balls pre and post handed below the chest to be 15-20 mins Wrestling/Rucks/Mauls/ touch games/activities max duration Scrums/Lineouts PITCH MANAGEMENT & PLANNING

SANTISATION ZONE 1 SANTISATION ZONE 2 Designated Areas / Zones of the Pitch • Movement between zones should be restricted • When entering and exiting pitch use walkway

Equipment allocated to zone 1 for GROUPS OF example should not be transferred to another zone. 30 MAX SPLIT INTO 10-15 Sanitisation zone should be set-up TEAM A v TEAM B TEAM C v TEAM D outside pitch entry point. MUST SOCIAL DISTANCE SOCIAL MUST PARENTS WAITING AREA WAITING PARENTS Prior to entering or exiting the pitch area: • Clean hands • Clean equipment PLANNING YOUR COACHING

REWARDING HOW REWARDING IS THE PRACTICE? Always consider what motivates a player as everyone is different. Practices need to be rewarding for all players and coaches need to consider how to integrate this into the practice.

REPETITION WITHOUT REPETITION GIVE ENOUGH TIME TO PRACTICE - BUT KEEP IT FRESH High repetition without any changes to the drill can lead to boredom. Repitition without reputation encourages us to think about how can we tweak a drill to keep it fresh. PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL SESSIONS ARE SUPERVISED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT This document contains sessions that can be completed at home to help your child stay fit and active.

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL CURRENT GUIDELINES WITH REGARDS TO COVID-19 AND LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES. IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO TRAIN ON A PITCH WITH A MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD WITH YOU FOR ANY RUNNING SESSIONS THEN DO SO.

WARM UP HYDRATION COOL DOWN NUTRITION Warm up correctly Make sure you have Ensure you stretch post- Follow the nutritional and thoroughly – get a bottle of water to hand session for 5-10 minutes advice to make sure you repair, your child to select at all times recover and recharge your body 3-4 exercises from the circuit pages and do these at a low intensity as a warm up. CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION If you start to feel If you have any pre- This programme any abnormal pain/ existing injuries would not be discomfort/chest pain then then either modify or choose recommended if you are stop immediately a different exercise from the currently taking any prescribed prescribed exercise list medication.

DISCLAIMER This document is meant to be an information guide only and contains suggestions for exercises that you may find helpful and nutrition options for you to consider. You should only attempt to undertake any of the exercises if you are in good physical condition and are able to participate in exercise – you are strongly recommended to consult with your Doctor before commencing any exercise programme. When participating in any exercise or exercise programme, there is a possibility of physical injury or damage to property. If you undertake any of the exercises included in this information guide, you do so voluntarily and at your own risk. The Welsh Rugby Union will not accept and you hereby waive and discharge the Welsh Rugby Union and anyone acting on its behalf from any and all claims or liability arising out of any injury suffered or damage caused to you or your property. Session 1 TIMING PRACTICE COACHING POINTS 5 mins • Evasion running through cones in a zig zag • Running forward with head up

DATE: VENUE: Field GAME – BALL PRESENTATION TOUCH • Communication and teamwork needed Key Themes: • Normal rules of Touch Rugby apply up to tackle • Ball carrier to maintain ball in 2 hands and control fall • On 2 handed touch tackle, the tackled player goes to to fl oor, working on fl oor to get eff ective presentation ground and presents the ball • Players to scan at all times and see what is in front of • The next attacker then acts as Scrum Half to pass and either side of them 10 mins the ball away • When tackle is made, 2nd player must get quickly to EQUIPMENT • The defender making the touch must stay by the ball tackled player till ball has been passed by Scrum • This player must do eff ective scrum half pass, back BALLS One per person Half foot by ball, front foot out facing target, stay low, pass • All defenders must stay behind off side line and follow through CONES 30

SUITS • Balance on one leg, star jumps, tuck jumps • 30 secs per exercise x 3 SHIELDS 5 mins

BAGS

POLES • Head up slightly forward • Two footed jumping from one cone to another • Hips square LADDERS 5 mins • Progress to hopping cross to the cone • Use arms to drive them forward BIBS

JERSEYS GAME - STANDARD TOUCH • Start by tap of ball with opposition 10m back • Communication of roles, “scrum half” in, all others S.MACHINE • Two handed touch between shoulders and waist, spread and scan stops and rolls ball through legs • Back foot by ball, front foot out pointing towards OTHER: • Player being touched receiver 10 mins • Next player does scrum half pass to continue game • Body low, hands on ball, head down • Defenders to stay onside from a tackle till the ball • Weight on back foot transfers to front foot as pass has been passed • Staying low, sweep ball with no back lift STAFF: • If no try has been scored after 6 touches, the ball is • Follow through extending arms along line of pass turned over to opposing team

5 mins • High knees, punches in the sky, arms circles • 30 secs per exercise x 3 Session 2 TIMING PRACTICE COACHING POINTS

• Run with ball in two hands touch each cone and • Have fi ve coloured cones, run to colour indicated by 5 mins come back to the start. coach DATE: VENUE: Field Key Themes: GAME – CENTRE TOUCH • Tackled player to present ball eff ectively with two • Normal rules of Touch Rugby apply prior to tackle hands on ball • Two handed touch between shoulders and waist • 1st support player communicates that he/she is “in” • Tackled player goes to ground and presents the ball • 1st support player gets in strong low body position over eff ectively EQUIPMENT 15 mins ball, foot in close then square position, looking forward, • 1st Support player then goes in over ball to protect knees bent, back fl at and “Scrum Half” passes ball away BALLS One per person • Scrum Half to communicate his role and other players • Tackler plus one other defender must take a knee to spread, scan and communicate CONES 30 • by tackled player until ball is passed away

SUITS • Throw ball to a target, hop on one leg, jump for SHIELDS • 30 secs per exercise x 3 5 mins distance BAGS

POLES • Running shuttle LADDERS • Run to coloured cone score a try and return • Placing ball down with two hands to score 10 mins • Run place ball down and touch cone with hand, • Pick ball up in two hands BIBS return to pick ball up back to start position

JERSEYS GAME – TOUCH CYMRU S.MACHINE • Normal Touch Rugby laws apply up to tackle • Ball carrier attempts to beat defender with footwork • After touch tackle, tackled player may go 3 metres and at least get to side of defender forward and go to fl oor with ball in two hands • Maintain ball in two hands through fall OTHER: 5 mins • On hitting fl oor, he may pop ball up to support • Soft pop pass to support player player to carry on game. He has 3 seconds to do • Support player to make clear and accurate this. After 3 seconds, ball has to be presented and communication defence allowed to retreat before playing STAFF:

• Throw ball at a target, (goal post, bin) 5 mins • Ball in hands to start • Progress to ball off the fl oor Session 3 TIMING PRACTICE COACHING POINTS • Using cones or ladders, players to step into the gaps • Head up, eyes forward, hips square and return 5 mins • On balls of feet • Progress with ball DATE: VENUE: Field Key Themes: GAME – PROFILE TOUCH • Normal Touch rules apply up to tackle • Good strong position • On two handed touch tackle, the tackled player gets • a/. Feet shoulder width apart and pointing straight into strong body profi le facing directly forward with forward. Much as possible on ground two hands on the ball which is on the ground • b/. Knees fl exed 10 mins EQUIPMENT • Tackler stays right by tackled player till ball passed • c/. Core engaged, pelvic tilt, chest promoted, scaps away pulled together d/. Head in neutral BALLS One per person • Holds this position for 3 seconds, then relaxes and • Scrum half to communicate his role and communicate rolls ball through legs “Scrum half” then passes ball with tackled player CONES 30 away and play continues

SUITS

SHIELDS 5 mins • Plank, punches the sky, arm circles • 30 secs per exercise x 3

BAGS

POLES • Zig zag running, holding ball in two hands, can they • Can they stay at the same pace whilst doing the LADDERS change to one hand on the move, put ball around 5 mins activity their back whilst moving BIBS

JERSEYS • Communication is essential for defenders on when to S.MACHINE GAME – ONE OUT TOUCH go up, across and managing gaps • Normal Touch Rugby rules apply up to tackle • Defender (s ) returning to game must communicate • Ball is rolled and passed away as normal by early as to where the are returning toand look to fi t in OTHER: 5 mins attacking team where needed • Player making touch tackle must then retreat to • Other defenders must communicate with ones coming their own try line before re-entering play back in to defensive line • “Scrum Half” can run to engage defenders • Defenders must retain good line and spacings as much

STAFF: as they can and work hard to pressure attackers

• Run with ball in two hands touch each cone and 10 mins come back to the start. • Stay balanced, can they turn quickly • Cones two/mtrs apart Session 4 TIMING PRACTICE COACHING POINTS • Throw ball up and catch • Throw ball up vertically 5 mins • Throw ball up and clap before catching • Balance on balls of feet • Progress to number of claps • Keep balance throughout the activity

DATE: VENUE: Field GAME – SUPPORT TOUCH Key Themes: • Normal Touch Rugby Rules apply up to tackle • Ball carrier must get into strong body position after • On tackle, ball carrier must stop and get into strong touch and secure the ball position with ball available to support • 1st support player must communicate and get to • 1st support player must go quickly to tackled player 10 mins tackled player quickly again adopting a strong position and rip the ball. He can then spin and pass or hold • Tackled player should only release ball when 4 hands EQUIPMENT ball for scrum half to come, take and pass are on it • Defender must hold on to tackled player until ball is BALLS One per person released

CONES 30

SUITS 5 mins • High knees on the spot, punches the sky, star jumps • 30 secs per exercise x 3 SHIELDS

BAGS • Head up slightly forward POLES • Two footed jumping from one cone to another • Hips square 5 mins • Progress to hopping cross to the cone LADDERS • Use arms to drive

BIBS SKILL DEVELOPMENT - 2 v 1 NARROW • Ball carrier to get strong body position with good base, JERSEYS • Players work either in 3s in a narrow grid or 6 in a chin off chest longer narrow channel • Transfer ball away from contact S.MACHINE • One defender with pad • 3. Support player to be strong, foot and shoulder close • Ball carrier attacks defender, using footwork to in, arm into rip ball, chin off chest make defender move 5 mins • Ball carrier does not take hands off ball till supporter OTHER: • On contact ball carrier makes contact with pad has two hands on it simulating being held up • Support player spins with back to opposition, same way • Support player comes in, engages and rips ball from as arm used to rip ball ball carrier and spins away STAFF: • Communication • Support player becomes next ball carrier

• Catching the ball whilst running, catch in two 10 mins hands, catch with one hand • Keep eyes on the ball use hands to cup the ball • Use 5 mtr grid