Confidence for contact Rugby lesson 5 control in the collision

Confidence for contact Rugby lesson 5 control in the collision

Lesson 5 focuses on helping students apply contact skills when they are tired and under pressure. By this point in the unit students are confident with contact and tackling technique, so the emphasis shifts from learning how to make contact to learning how to make good decisions while fatigued.

The lesson begins with a simple game of Bulldog Tag using two handed touches. The playing area is kept deliberately small so students are encouraged to stay square and face opponents rather than turning and running away. This immediately reinforces good body position while keeping the activity fun and accessible.

After the warm up the lesson moves into a series of controlled power based activities. In paired hug challenges students work close to their partner using one arm over and one arm under. The aim is not to overpower a partner but to learn how getting close and using body position makes contact more effective and controlled.

Some groups may also progress to a one versus one scrum starting from kneeling. This is only used where students are confident and technique can be safely managed. The focus is on keeping a straight back using leg drive and avoiding bending at the hips. This activity can be omitted without affecting the lesson if needed.

The lesson then introduces activities such as Get Out of the Circle and Escape the Squares. In these games students experience contact situations where the aim is to stop momentum rather than win a collision. Tackling to the floor is not the goal. Instead students practise wrapping below the ball keeping their head safe and using leg drive to stop forward movement before quickly resetting.

These activities help students understand that winning contact does not always mean dominating an opponent. Often it is about timing positioning and making the right choice.

The lesson finishes with the high intensity game Murder Ball. This is a simple game with very few rules played in a small area. Because of the intensity students become tired quickly which creates excellent opportunities to reinforce safe technique decision making and effort under fatigue. Students are free to choose how much contact they engage in which keeps the game inclusive and well managed.

Lesson 5 works because it challenges students physically while still prioritising safety and control. Fatigue exposes poor technique so this lesson helps teachers reinforce good habits when they matter most. By the end of the lesson students are physically tired but confident engaged and ready to transfer these skills into more recognisable rugby games.

For the full unit see -

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

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