P1 B
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 8-16 with 10 mins per zone (Add additional games and session time if larger groups)
ZONE 1 - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Reverse capture the flag
SETUP: Create 2 zones with balls at either end of pitch and 1 ‘island’ zone in the middle. Split into 3 teams - 1 team at either end of the pitch and 1 group of pirates in the middle.
GAME: Players need to get their balls from one side/zone to the other without ‘pirates’ catching them (two-hand tig on the waste). If a player is caught, the ‘pirate’ takes their ball back to the ‘island' and the player must return to their zone before restarting. Players from either team can try to regain balls from the island but same rule applies if they get caught. Run the game for 2-3 minutes each and see which team has managed to get the most balls past the pirates or if the pirates have plundered the most! Swap rules and repeat the game.
ZONE 2 - YOSHI
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 everyone to the other end zone - see video but key rules below:
If player is tagged in the other half before reaching the endzone, then must take a knee (or do an exercise) where they were tagged
A tagged player can be released by a team-mate if tagged by them - both players then get a free walk back to their half
Players in the end-zone can leave to release a team-mate but must return to their half before returning to the game
YOSHI! If the coach shouts ‘Yoshi’ all players just need to run to their endzone as quick as possible i.e. no tagging - call this if game slows down
Remember - Focus on two-handed tigs around the waste
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.