Fun rugby coaching game for footwork skills

Use this Shadow Buster rugby coaching game to teach your young players how to side-step and swerve while being chased and when they're chasing. This game can be used for indoor rugby coaching sessions, too.

Shadow Buster rules

  • Set up a large playing square. Ask the players to pair up. In each pair, one player leads and the other follows (the "shadow"). The lead player has to lose their shadow.

  • After several seconds call "STOP" and see who has managed to lose their shadow. Swap pairs around.

Game set up

Use a 20m by 20m playing area or small gym/games hall. No equipment is required and you can use your whole class or squad of players.

Fun mini rugby game to coach footwork skills to young players

Scoring in rugby coaching game

When you call "STOP" each pair counts the number of steps they are apart. The winners are the closest shadow and furthest lead player from their partners.

What to call out in your rugby coaching game

  • "Look for space and move into it."

  • "Take short steps when changing direction."

  • "Keep your head up to see what's going on."

  • "Use fast feet to move away from your shadow."
Rugby coaching tip
  • Vary the times before calling "STOP" to create variation and increase the work rate.
To have more lively and entertaining games, which will help you coach basic rugby skills to young players, order a copy of Fun Mini Rugby Games.

Click here for a game to coach basic tackling and passing skills to young rugby players.

Rugby coaching tips


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