Fun game for youngsters focusing on passing and tackling skills

Use this Mayday game to get young players practising core skills, such as passing and tackling, in your rugby coaching sessions.

The rules for Mayday game

Divide players into teams of three attackers and three defenders. Space the defenders equally along the playing area behind one another. They can only move sideways to make tackles.

The three attackers have a ball. They use passing (backwards only) and running skills to score. If the player with the ball is tackled, they call out "MAYDAY!" and pass the ball away within three seconds.

Give the attack three attempts to score. Each attempt ends if:

The ball carrier doesn't call "MAYDAY!"
The ball carrier doesn't pass within three seconds of the tackle.
The pass goes forward or to ground.
The ball carrier steps out of play.

Mayday game to coach core rugby skills such as passing and tackling

How to set up Mayday game

Use a 20m long by 5m wide playing area. Have one ball per four players and tag belts (if used). For this game, you need a minimum of six players - three defenders and three attackers.

Scoring

Give one point to the attack for scoring a try.
Give one point to the defence for preventing a try.

What to call out in the game

"Look for space and move into it."
"Beat the defender by passing to a team mate."
"Support the player with the ball."
"Run forward."
"You can only pass backwards."

Rugby coaching tips

The "MAYDAY!" call is to encourage the other two attackers to move closer for the pass. Only assist groups that are struggling with some ideas on how to solve the problems.

Click here to order a copy of Fun Mini Rugby Games, the coaching manual designed for players aged five to eight years old, covering co-ordination, agility, footwork, ball handling, tag and touch tackling and teamwork.

Click here for another fun game to coach younger players core rugby skills.