P1 A
TIP: We recommend reading Minis Curriculum, Session Planning & Design and Coaching Skills & STEP prior to this sample session paying particular note the Accies Minis Template for sessions which the below follows. .
OVERVIEW: P1 sessions should be all about fun and games to keep kids active and engaged. Small bits of skills or physical literacy development can be ‘hidden’ into games and try to have kids holding rugby balls as often as possible. Focus on holding the ball in two hands and tigs with two hands around the waste as these are good habits to have in later years.
0-15 mins - Coaches choice of Activation games
15-45 mins - Zone Circuit, Groups of 8-10 with 10 mins per zone (Add additional games and session time if larger groups)
ZONE 1 - ROB THE NEST
SETUP: Place a good number of balls in the middle of a square pitch. Split players into 4 groups, 1 group per corner.
GAME: The aim of the game is for groups to try and get as many balls into their nest as possible. Groups should start by collecting the balls from the middle, then they can start to ‘rob the nest’ - groups should not sit on, hide or interfere with players trying to rob their nest.
TOP TIP: Try to have 1 coach per group to talk through rules as you go and help kids. Start by only allowing 1 player to leave the corner at a time, then progress to 2 players and so on to make the grid a busier - always finish with a period of everyone allowed to leave the corner - kids love chaos!
ZONE 2 - CAPTURE THE FLAG
SETUP: Create 1 zone at each end of a pitch and ensure a clear halfway line. Split into 2 teams with different bibs.
GAME & RULES: The aim of the game for each team to try and get all the opponents balls (flags) back to their zone and protect theirs - see video but key rules below:
If player is tagged in the other half before reaching the endzone, they must ‘go to jail’*. If the players has a ball when tagged, they must hand it back.
Players in jail can be released by a team-mate if tagged by them - both players then get a free walk back to their half
Each end-zone is a safe zone as is the player own half of the pitch
JAIL: Mix this up by having an actual zone for the jail on each side or you can ask players to just take a knee/do an exercise. Another option is to send them to a nominated coach(es) where they need to perhaps a set skill before returning to their half and the game i.e. 5 passes etc.
Remember - Focus on two-handed tigs around the waste and running with the ball in 2 hands
ZONE 3 - RELAY RACES
You can mix this up to give kids a different challenge but in it’s simple form, setup so teams are in small groups or pairs along a line. Have kids running through agility poles, ladders, over hurdles with ball in hand, before passing to the next person in the group. Make the ‘course’ more challenging as kids develop or throw in conditions like hopping, bunny jumping, gorilla walks and running backwards. The goal is to encourage fast movements to conquer obstacles in a more conditioned manner that other drills.
45-60 mins - BIG Game - Return to one big group to play Bulldogs and variations to finish
VARIATIONS
Bulldogs: Classic game per the below video start with 1 bulldog (or 2-3 to make it easier). Players run from one end to the other on coaches call and caught players join the bulldogs until 1 player left. TOP TIP: Encourage bulldogs to get into a flat “Bulldog Line” to replicate P3+ rugby defence.
Dinosaur Tig: Same game play as Bulldogs except setup 3 cones within the pitch as ‘Dinosaur Cages’. Pick one player for each cage to start with and let the kids pick their dinosaur they want to be! Coach starts each end by shouting one of the dinosaurs. Players try to cross and only the dinosaurs called can try to catch them - if caught, the player become that dinosaur for the rest of the game. Dinosaur return to their ‘cages’ between ends and coach calls the next dinosaur. If the coach shouts “Jurassic Park!” all dinosaurs can try to catch.