This unit introduces Year 4 students to tag rugby through a systematic progression from individual ball skills to competitive team play. The emphasis is on understanding the unique characteristics of rugby ball handling whilst developing tactical awareness in invasion games. Through carefully scaffolded lessons, students learn fundamental rules and techniques before applying them in tournament situations, building both physical competence and strategic thinking.

Lessons in This Unit

8 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Ball Handling and Control
1h

Big Question:

How does the unique shape of a rugby ball affect the way we handle, throw and catch it compared to round balls?

Key Objectives:

  • To develop ball handling skills demonstrating increasing control and accuracy
  • To understand how ball shape affects throwing and catching techniques

Lesson 2

Throwing and Catching with Control
1h 10min

Big Question:

How can we use accurate passing and smart movement to keep possession of the ball in tag rugby?

Key Objectives:

  • To develop throwing and catching a rugby ball with increasing control
  • To identify when we were successful and what we need to do to improve

Lesson 3

Playing Tag Rugby Games
55 min

Big Question:

How can we use tagging rules to create fair and exciting games whilst developing our dodging and spatial awareness skills?

Key Objectives:

  • To understand and apply the fundamental rules of tag rugby in game situations
  • To develop dodging and evasion skills while respecting game boundaries

Lesson 4

Forward Pass and Offside Rules
58 min

Big Question:

How do the forward pass and offside rules help make tag rugby fair and exciting for everyone?

Key Objectives:

  • To understand and apply the forward pass rule during gameplay
  • To demonstrate understanding of the offside rule and positioning

Lesson 5

Supporting Teammates in Attack
1h

Big Question:

How can we work together as a team to keep possession and create scoring opportunities?

Key Objectives:

  • To be able to support a teammate when attacking by moving into effective positions
  • To understand and apply simple tactics to help the team maintain possession

Lesson 6

Dodging and Moving into Space
1h

Big Question:

How can changing direction quickly help your team score more tries?

Key Objectives:

  • To be able to dodge a defender and move into space when running towards the goal
  • To understand how warming up prepares the body for exercise

Lesson 7

Defending Skills and Tactics
1h

Big Question:

How can we work together as defenders to stop the attacking team from scoring?

Key Objectives:

  • To develop defensive positioning and movement skills
  • To understand and apply simple defensive tactics in game situations

Lesson 8

Tag Rugby Tournament Application
1h

Big Question:

How can we use everything we've learned about tag rugby to compete fairly and effectively in a tournament?

Key Objectives:

  • To apply tag rugby rules and tactics effectively in tournament play
  • To demonstrate good sportsmanship and fair play throughout competition