At Under 6 we concentrate on developing skills in a non competitive context with the focus on developing hand eye
co-ordination by practicing passing and catching in a variety of safe play contexts. Children are taught key skills of
running forward with the ball in both hands, looking for gaps to run into, supporting the player with the ball and scoring
a try safely. Children are also taught defensive techniques at this stage focusing on forming the defensive line and
tagging which simulates tackling at under 6, 7 and 8 age groups.
At under 8 play goes up a gear, becoming faster and requiring quick thinking, linking up, development of passing to move
the ball wide. Tactics become very important and at the age of 8 most children have mastered the game of tag. Children play
in training matches with other clubs and enjoy a number of tournaments culminating in the County Tournament. At this age
the ball is automatically turned over to the opposition after 6 tackles, ensuring that the most skilful sides in going forward with
the ball win the game.
STAGE 2
At under 9 and 10 (school years 4 &5), contact is introduced in the form of tackling, rucks, mauls, 3 man scrums and 2 man
line outs.
A team comprises 9 players three of whom are forwards who form the scrum and the remaining players form the back line.
Players may not hand off or fend tackles, kick the ball, obstruct other non ball carrying players, make late or high tackles.
Misdemeanors are rewarded by turnover of the ball and a penalty pass. All other play stoppages are restarted by a scrum or
lineout.
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The under 9 year is an important year of transition in which the player's confidence in their own abilities and skills are
challenged for the first time by physical confrontation and the need to be physically and psychologically brave. Our
coaching staff place huge emphasis on developing safe techniques for playing in and out of contact.
At under 9 scrums and line outs are uncontested and so competitive contact is restricted to open field play, smoothing
the transition to the full contact game. At under 10 scrums and line outs are fully contested.
Our objective at Swaffham is to interchange players through the positions so that all may experience the different kinds of
play applicable to forwards and backs and as coaches we can review and assess their abilities in different roles.
STAGE 3 - MIDI RUGBY
At under 11 and 12 age group (school years 6 & 7), sometimes referred to as midi rugby, team size is extended to 12 players
per team at under 11, 5 of whom must be forwards, the remainder backs and 13 players at Under 12 which sees the inclusion
of another forward, the number 8 . Each age group plays competitive games against teams of their own age without exception.
It is not acceptable for 11 year olds to be playing 12 year olds in a competitive match.
Scrums are contested and comprise 5 players in a 3-2 combination at Under 11 and 6 players in a 3-2-1 combination at
Under 12. Line outs are contested and comprise 4 players with the 5th forward throwing into the lineout at Under 11 and 5
players with the 6th throwing at Under 12.
Kicking of penalties and conversions is permitted as per the 15 man game and kicking out-of-hand is also introduced for
the first time. Kicking the ball on the ground (fly-hacking) is not permitted.
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