Building Physical Confidence in Rugby (Lesson 2)

Building Physical Confidence in Rugby (Lesson 2)

After a positive first lesson, the biggest mistake you can make in rugby is moving too quickly towards tackling. Even if students enjoyed Lesson 1, many are still unsure about physical contact. Lesson 2 is deliberately designed to build physical confidence without tackling, so students feel ready rather than rushed.

Pressure before contact

Lesson 2 begins with high-energy games such as Paintball Tag and Paintball Bulldog. These games create pressure, evasion and decision-making, but in a playful, low-risk way. Students are moving, reacting and changing direction constantly, yet there is no direct collision.

This matters because rugby contact isn’t just about hitting. It’s about awareness, balance and confidence when space is reduced.

Small spaces, big confidence

The main possession games in Lesson 2 are played in small, clearly defined areas. Teams work in 3v3 or 4v4 groups, often with a “magic player” who always attacks if numbers are uneven.

Small-sided games:

Increase touches on the ball

Reduce mismatches in size and confidence

Keep all students involved

Make pressure manageable rather than overwhelming

Students learn to protect the ball, make quick decisions and support teammates without being overloaded.

Physical confidence without fear

The most important part of Lesson 2 is the set of paired physical challenges. Activities like Get Up, Piggy and Baby, and crawl races introduce resistance, body contact and effort, but in a way that feels more like play than rugby.

Students are pushing, pulling and supporting body weight without anyone going to ground and without the word “tackle” being used at all.

For many students, this is the moment where confidence starts to shift. They realise:
“I can be physical.”
“I’m strong enough.”
“This isn’t scary.”

Why this lesson works

Lesson 2 sits in a crucial place in the unit. It bridges the gap between non-contact games and future contact lessons by:

Normalising physical effort

Building balance and strength

Removing fear through fun

Letting students experience success

By the end of the lesson, students are tired, smiling and far more comfortable being close to other players.

Setting up Lesson 3

Because Lesson 2 builds physical confidence without tackling, Lesson 3 can safely introduce body position and first contact skills. Students are no longer anxious about physical proximity, which makes learning correct technique much easier.

If you skip this step, students often tense up or avoid contact later. Taking the time here pays off for the rest of the block.

For the full unit -

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-13380816

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