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Defence drill ideas for my U8's?

Hi,Just wanted some ideas on drills for Under 8's to teach defence. For example we set all kids up in a line but as soon as the other team play the ball all kids run up and try to tackle. It is great enthusiasm shown by the kids however they are unable to reset into a line which means as soon as the other team plays the ball there is big open gap that they other team can get through.
Angela, Rugby League Parent, Australia
Asked:
Answers: 3

One thing that worked for me was them starting on conest that were spaced equally out. We encourage them to only move forward and never to overlap with the players next to them. Once they make the tackle they have to go back to their cone and then up again for the next attacker. 

Phil Sim, Rugby League Coach, Australia
Answered:

When coaching the younger kids I have used the "aeroplane call" which basically had the kids move back into the defensive line after a tackle is amde, with their arms spread like a plane. This helped them to space out to cover the defensive line and it was fun. Still took time to get it to work smoothly but it did help.

Mark Titheradge, Rugby League Coach, Australia
Answered:

I've used a rope that the defenders hold equally apart on a line. They are told to keep the rope taught. If they get too close it sags so they start to learn about their position.

MarcJS, Rugby League Coach, England
Answered:

Try them lined up arms apart each holding a football between them. they then have to move forward sideways backwards on coachs call without dropping a ball or losing contact with the ball.

Jason, Rugby League Coach, Australia
Answered:

I've used a ball between their hands and get them to move off the line keeping the ball between them, that's quite a fun drill, and also what I've done more recently with my 8's is set up a grid 15m x 10m, defenders spaced evenly between the cones. Set up 5 different coloured cones opposite and have the attackers in a bus queue to the side. Pass the ball to the attacker and tell them a colour to run at. Once attacker goes past the coloured cone the defence set off. This helped massively with my defence as I explained they need to defend an area and not all bunch in to tackle.

tom leach, Rugby League Coach, England
Answered:

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  • or access our tried and tested plans