This unit transforms Year 5 students from individual tag rugby players into strategic team members who understand how defensive positioning, passing combinations, and tactical formations create successful gameplay. The focus shifts from basic skills to sophisticated team tactics, with students learning to read the game, communicate effectively, and execute coordinated attacking and defensive strategies that mirror real rugby principles.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Defensive Positioning
45 min

Big Question:

How can effective defensive positioning and communication help a team prevent the opposition from scoring?

Key Objectives:

  • Explain the role of a defender in a competitive game
  • Tag opposition players safely and effectively in isolation

Lesson 2

Running and Passing in Combination
45 min

Big Question:

How can combining running skills with accurate passing help us break through defences and create scoring opportunities?

Key Objectives:

  • To run and pass accurately and consistently while on the move
  • To identify when to run into space and when to pass into space

Lesson 3

Team Defence Principles
45 min

Big Question:

How can a team work together to create an impenetrable defensive wall that denies space to attackers?

Key Objectives:

  • Identify and apply the basic principles of team defence in tag rugby
  • Develop tactical understanding of how to deny space to the attacking team

Lesson 4

Possession & Pop Passing
1h

Big Question:

How can we keep possession of the ball and create attacking opportunities using accurate short passes?

Key Objectives:

  • To maintain possession immediately after a turnover situation
  • To execute accurate pop passes over short distances

Lesson 5

Diamond Formation & Retention
45 min

Big Question:

How can teams use the magic diamond formation to maintain possession under defensive pressure?

Key Objectives:

  • To maintain possession as a team with pressure from defenders
  • To use the 'magic diamond' formation effectively in game situations

Lesson 6

Team Tactics and Game Application
1h

Big Question:

How can we use tactical awareness and teamwork to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities in tag rugby?

Key Objectives:

  • To work cooperatively as a team to defend and attack effectively
  • To use simple skills to keep possession using the 3-step and pass rule