Lesson 4 - Forward Pass and Offside Rules
Tag Rugby Basics
•Year 3
•Tag Rugby
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How do rugby rules help teams work together fairly and safely?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and apply the 'forward pass' rule in tag rugby
- To understand and apply the 'offside' rule in tag rugby
- To demonstrate accurate passing and receiving skills within the rules
Key Outcomes
- Students will explain why forward passes are not allowed in tag rugby
- Students will position themselves correctly to stay onside
- Students will pass backwards or sideways consistently during game play
Equipment & Resources Required
Distribute around perimeter for easy access
Alternative: Foam balls, soft footballs for safety
Check all belts have 2 tags attached before activity
Alternative: Coloured bibs tucked into waistbands
Use to mark boundaries and try lines clearly
Alternative: Spots, markers, natural boundaries
Clear signals for stopping and starting activities
Alternative: Hand claps, verbal commands
Key Vocabulary
A pass where the ball travels towards the try line (scoring end) - this is not allowed in rugby
Being in an illegal position behind the ball carrier when defending
Being in a legal position in front of the ball carrier when defending
The line at each end of the pitch where teams score by placing the ball down
The player currently holding the rugby ball
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic passing and catching skills
- Understanding of tag rugby tagging rules
- Basic spatial awareness and movement
Current Skills
- Forward pass rule understanding
- Offside rule application
- Positional awareness for legal passing
Next Steps
- Advanced game tactics using legal passing
- Ruck and maul concepts
- Team strategy development
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Forward passes are not allowed - ball must travel backwards or sideways towards teammates
- Defenders must move onside (in front of ball carrier) after making a tag before defending again
- Attackers must position behind or level with ball carrier to receive legal passes
- Eye contact and two-handed underarm passing technique ensures accuracy
- Continuous movement and repositioning creates effective team play
- Self-officiating and honesty are essential values in rugby
- Spatial awareness and communication prevent collisions and improve team play
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking sideways passes are forward - clarify that level/sideways passes are legal
- Confusion about onside meaning 'on your side' rather than 'in front of ball carrier'
- Believing you can pass immediately after being tagged - emphasise need to get onside first
- Thinking faster play means better play - emphasise control and accuracy over speed
- Assuming rugby rules are the same as football - highlight unique rugby regulations
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide frequent positive reinforcement, use clear visual boundaries and immediate feedback
dyspraxia
- Use larger, easier to handle equipment, allow additional practice time, provide step-by-step movement demonstrations
autism spectrum
- Provide visual rule cards and consistent routines, offer quiet zones for overwhelm, use clear, predictable structure throughout lesson
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured balls and belts, provide verbal descriptions of all demonstrations, assign sighted buddy for positioning guidance
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for rule violations, provide written rule cards, ensure demonstrations are clearly visible
physical disability
- Adapt to wheelchair play with modified boundaries, use lighter balls for easier handling, adjust tag belt positions for accessibility
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Explanation skills, listening and following instructions, vocabulary development and technical terms
Maths
Directional language (forwards, backwards, sideways), spatial reasoning, counting passes in sequence
Science
Forces and motion in ball flight, momentum and direction changes, body positioning and balance
Geography
Directional concepts, mapping movement patterns, understanding of relative positions
PSHE
Fair play and honesty, teamwork and cooperation, following rules for community benefit
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter during activities for optimal observation, position centrally for demonstrations and rule explanations
Observation Focus
Watch for rule application consistency, spatial awareness during movement, and positive peer interactions
Intervention Points
Step in when rules are consistently broken, when students show frustration, or when safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Use students as models for rule demonstrations, exaggerate movements for visibility, ensure all students can see demonstrations clearly
Verbal Cues
- •'Backwards only!' for passing reminders
- •'Get onside!' when defenders need to reposition
- •'Look first!' to encourage observation before passing
- •'Well done!' to reinforce positive rule application
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m clear space for multiple activities, indoor hall or outdoor marked area
Surface Check
Non-slip surface free from water, debris, or obstacles that could cause slips or falls
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all tag belts have secure fastenings and two tags attached
- •Ensure rugby balls are properly inflated and in good condition
- •Verify cones have no sharp edges or damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during dynamic movement activities
- •Trips and falls during direction changes
- •Tag belt injuries if pulled too hard
- •Ball strikes during passing activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Establish clear boundaries and enforce gentle tagging
- •Emphasise controlled movement and spatial awareness
- •Teach proper tag removal technique
- •Ensure adequate spacing between groups during activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of all groups during 3v1 games
- •Monitor tag belt security throughout lesson
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration
- •Ensure proper technique during passing activities
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess severity, apply appropriate first aid, contact school medical support if needed