Coaching Skills Framework

The skills to focus on at each age, in the order they arrive.

Choose an age group to see its stage of the framework, the skills to coach and the coaching focus.

ExploreConnect
Junior Rugby · Theme 1 — Build the rugby foundationsYouth Rugby · Theme 2 — Grow your skills, grow your game

U8 · Introductory contactU9&10 · Foundation contactU11&12 · Developing game senseU13&14 · Expanding game frameworksU15&16 · Performance foundations

Stage: ExploreStage: DiscoverStage: DecideStage: AdaptStage: Connect

On-field coachPrinciples of play

Working with the referee: focus on catch, carry & pass · run & evade · fall and place · track to tackle · 2v2 tackle contest · offside · support lines · possessionPossession · Go forward · Support · Continuity · PossessionPossession · Go forward · Support · Continuity · Pressure · PointsPossession · Go forward · Support · Continuity · Pressure · Points or Regain Possession

CatchCarryPassRunEvadeFall & placeTrackingCatchCarryPassFall & placeTrackingTackle contest 2v2Scrum frameworkCatchPassCarryContactGround skillsTrackingAttack frameworkDefense frameworkScrum frameworkLineout framework Game element: Counter-attack
Download U8 Skills Framework (PDF)Download U9&10 Skills Framework (PDF)Download U11&12 Skills Framework (PDF)Download U13&14 Skills Framework (PDF)Download U15&16 Skills Framework (PDF) Builds into U17 & U18 ›
Core rugby skills ExploreDiscover
Catch, Carry & Pass Two hands up before the ball arrives · hands follow ball to target · keep moving forward
Run & Evade Fast feet · ball in two hands · run straight · eyes up
Fall and Place Land safe — knees, hip, shoulder · ball to near toes (prawn)
Track to Tackle Align · approach · balance · contact · cheek to thigh
2v2 Tackle Contest Enter square · shoulders above hips · feet past ball
Catch, Carry & Pass Target · early catch · hands above elbows · fast feet · keep moving forward
Fall and Place Land on ball · score the try · prawn (ball to near toes)
Track to Tackle Align · approach · balance · contact (AABC) · chop tackle · punch, wrap, squeeze
2v2 Tackle Contest Enter square · shoulders above hips · feet past ball · decision making
Scrum — Waist or crutch bind 6 principles: feet · knees · hips · chest · back · head · binds
Physical capabilities ExploreDiscover
Movement Literacy Run · hop · skip · jump · roll · land safely
Balance & Coordination Single-leg balance · change of direction without falling
Agility & Evasion Ability to sidestep / tag dodge
Basic Endurance Continuous play for short bursts (2–3 mins)
Safe Body Shapes Stable base in contact — low stance, bent knees, neutral spine
Strength Foundations Push/pull own bodyweight — plank, crawl, animal walks
Speed Markers Acceleration over 5–10m, chase and retreat quickly
Agility Maintain balance through tag and tackle contact
Rugby IQScan, decide, communicate ExploreDiscover
Eyes Look up when running — find space or a teammate
Decide Run if space · pass if teammate is in a better position
Offside After tackle — get back onside quickly, behind the ball
Eyes Look up before receiving — find space or a teammate before the ball arrives
Decide Pass vs run — read the defender. If defender comes to you, pass. If space, go.
Comms Call for the ball ('here!', 'pass!') · tell the ball carrier what you see
Psychological skills ExploreDiscover
Enjoyment & Engagement Smiles, wants to return, shows excitement to play
Focus on Simple Tasks Follows 1–2 step on-field coaching cues in-game
Confidence in Trying Attempts new skills — especially first contact — without fear
Emotional Regulation Re-joins activity after mistakes or contact moments
Persistence Keeps trying after errors or contact
Basic Problem-Solving Chooses between two clear options — pass vs run
Listening & Recall Remembers and applies a simple game rule across the session
Courage Willingness to make first tackles or carry into contact
Social & leadership ExploreDiscover
Sharing & Turn-Taking Waits in line · takes turns in activities
Basic Teamwork Passes to a teammate when prompted
Respect Listens to coach · follows whistle
Inclusion Welcomes others into play
Communication Basics Calls for the ball ('here', 'pass') in small-sided games
Respectful Behaviour Shakes hands, thanks opponents and referees
Team Belonging Identifies with team colours and values
Encouragement Begins praising teammates ('good job')
Core rugby skills DecideAdapt
Catch & Pass Body tilt · scan early · early catch · move forward onto ball
Carry & Contact Footwork · keep ball alive · long quality place · scan early
Ground Skills Ball two hands · ball to chest · hips square · land on ball, score the try · prawn (ball to near toes)
Track to Tackle Align · approach · balance · contact
Attacking Contest Eyes on threats · enter square · shoulders above hips · leg drive
Defensive Contest Eyes on opportunities · win the race · entry height · reload
Scrum — Waist or crutch bind 6 principles under light load · binds · Mayday · No.8 options
Lineout Roles Leg lift (U12s) · throw, jump & support
Catch & Pass Under pressure · pass subtlety · long pass · active feet
Carry & Contact Body tilt · dominant carry · ball protection · offload
Ground Skills Ball two hands · ball to chest · hips square · land on ball, score the try · pop hips · prawn (ball to near toes)
Track to Tackle Align · Approach · Balance · Contact (AABC)
Attacking Contest Jackalling · low body position at contest · clean-out entry
Defensive Contest Line speed · tackle + reload · lock tackle basics
Scrum — Crutch Bind 6 principles under load · crutch bind intro · Mayday · push timing
Lineout Roles Leg lift · lineout calls · pod roles
Physical capabilities DecideAdapt
Core Stability Plank, hollow hold — resist force in contact and ruck entry
Functional Strength Squat, lunge, push, pull — basic shapes with own bodyweight
Speed Endurance Repeated short efforts — 5 on, 5 off patterns in training
Jumping & Landing Safe landing mechanics — two-foot landing, absorb and stabilise
Contact Robustness Confidence in repeated safe tackle/ruck involvements
Strength Markers Bodyweight squats, push-ups, chin-ups (basic control)
Sprint Profile Acceleration to max speed (20–30m)
Agility with Ball Sidestep + offload under defensive pressure
Rugby IQScan, decide, communicate DecideAdapt
Eyes Pre-scan — read defensive line before receiving the ballRead defensive alignment width and depth before calling or receiving
Decide 2v1 and 3v2 decisions — draw and pass · when to go alonePhase-play trigger — attack wide vs keep tight vs kick
Comms Support calls · announce decision ('hold', 'go', 'pass') before contactPre-phase defensive alignment · set-play name · folding (Attack & D)
Reads Identify mismatches — narrow defence, drifting defender, overlapAnticipate next phase — where will space open after contact?
Kicking Punt technique · grubber · restart reception
Psychological skills DecideAdapt
Resilience Recovers from setbacks without disengaging
Awareness Notices space, opposition, teammate cues in game situations
Decision-Making Selects best option in small-sided games (2v1, 3v2)
Positive Self-Talk Encourages self and others in challenging drills
Adaptability Adjusts to new roles or positions when asked by coach
Game Sense Begins anticipating play — what happens after this phase?
Pressure Management Composure in contested situations and close finishes
Growth Mindset Reflects on what can improve rather than blaming others
Social & leadership DecideAdapt
Positive Communication Uses voice to organise ('line up', 'defend left')
Cooperation Works in pairs/units — ruck, tackle, support play
Fair Play Admits knock-on, offside — demonstrates honesty
Emerging Leadership Some players naturally help organise peers
Role Clarity Understands individual role within unit and team structures
Supportive Behaviours Helps teammates who make errors
Respect for Officials Adapts behaviour after referee feedback
Leadership Moments Volunteers for small roles (captain coin toss, warm-up lead)
Game frameworks DecideAdapt
Attack Frameworks Width · Depth · Outside Foot Forward
Defence Frameworks Linespeed · Spacing · Connection
Restart Framework Positioning
Scrum Framework Hooker COMMS · Binds · No.8 options · MayDayHooker COMMS · Push timing · MayDay
Lineout Framework Throw · Jump · SupportLeg lift · Lineout calls · Pod roles
Core rugby skills Connect
Catch & Pass Skill under pressure · pass subtlety · active feet · off both hands
Carry & Contact 5-point carry · dominant ball-and-all · lock tackle · low body position
Ground Skills Ball two hands · ball to chest · hips square · land on ball, score the try · pop hips · 2nd effort
Track to Tackle Align · Approach · Balance · Contact
Attacking Contest Jackalling · body position at contest · clean-out technique
Defensive Contest Lock tackle · strip technique · line speed and blitz reads
Scrum — Crutch Bind 6 principles under load · wheel recognition · No.8 pick options
Lineout Roles Leg lift · lineout calls · pod organisation · maul entry
Physical capabilities Connect
Relative Strength Control own bodyweight under fatigue — plank, chin-ups, squats
Power Markers Broad jump, vertical jump — explosiveness in contact and sprint
Speed Endurance Repeated sprint ability (RSA over 6–8 sprints)
Scrum & Maul Readiness Safe body shape sustained against resistance
Rugby IQScan, decide, communicate Connect
Eyes Pre-scan before receiving · read defensive line width and depth
Decide Phase-to-framework trigger — set play vs play what you see
Comms Unit calls (pod names, lineout codes) · communicate defensive system
Pressure Maintain decision quality under fatigue
Kicking Tactical kicks · box kick · cross-field · grubber in attack · 50/22
Psychological skills Connect
Goal Setting Sets short-term, realistic personal goals
Confidence Under Pressure Executes skills in competitive games
Reflection Can describe what went well / what didn't after matches
Emotional Control Keeps discipline despite provocation or fatigue
Social & leadership Connect
Team Organisation Contributes to team talks or huddles
Constructive Feedback Provides peers with specific, positive input
Responsibility Manages own equipment, preparation, and punctuality
Emerging Captaincy Traits Directs peers in small game situations
Attack & defence methods Connect
Attack Frameworks Width · Depth · Outside Foot Forward
Defence Frameworks Linespeed · Spacing · Connection
Restart Framework Positioning
Scrum Framework Hooker COMMS · Push timing · MayDay
Lineout Framework Leg lift · Lineout calls · Pod roles
Kick Method Exit · 50/22m
Coaching focus · U8Coaching focus · U9&10Coaching focus · U11&12Coaching focus · U13&14Coaching focus · U15&16
On-field coach focus Work with the referee — at stoppages and key moments, give one cue, restart immediately. Keep stoppages short.
Watch for Any child who smiles at their first tackle. Acknowledge it every time. That moment builds the pathway.
Ask yourself Did every child smile today? Do they want to come back next week?
Coming next (U9 & U10) Contact confidence deepens. Skill-drill-game continues.
Prioritise Tackle safety and ball in hand. Keep it fun — errors are expected at this stage.
Watch for Players scanning before contact. Anyone calling for the ball — that's Rugby IQ emerging.
Coming next (U11 & U12) Contest skills, lineout introduction, unit play and game frameworks begin.
Prioritise Game sense through small-sided games. Players should be making decisions, not just executing.
Watch for Support lines forming before contact. Players scanning before receiving.
Coming next (U13 & U14) Phase play, attack width and depth, defensive principles begin.
Prioritise Phase play with shape. Players should understand WHY a structure works, not just what to run.
Watch for Player-led communication before phase play. Anyone reading the game a play ahead.
Coming next (U15 & U16) Position-specific skills, attack and defence methods, kick strategy.
Prioritise Position-specific technique and skill under pressure. Coach WHEN and WHY, not just WHAT.
Watch for Players reading defensive shape before receiving. Unit communication that's player-led.
Coming next (U17 & U18) Complex set-piece, kick strategy, defensive systems and peer leadership.

Rugby Australia · National Community Skills Framework · October 2026