Rugby at the right age - the continuum

The RFU strongly recommends that Clubs and Schools ensure their coaches acquire and develop coaching skills which are appropriate for the age grades they are coaching. This ensures improved playing standards throughout the game, reduces the risk of players suffering injury, increases consistency in the development of youth rugby and adds to the enjoyment for players.
 Coaching training comprises a combination of attending RFU-approved coach education courses (leading to a qualification), supplemented by attendance at coaching seminars and regular reading of coaching materials and viewing of coaching videos and DVDs. For further information on up-to-date products email coachingyoungplayers@rfu.com, visit the RFU's website or telephone 0800 834551.
Clubs and Schools are strongly advised that qualified coaches supervise all persons who do not hold current coaching qualifications appropriate to the age grades they are coaching. Details of RFU-approved coach education courses can be obtained from your Constituent Body or Rugby Development Officer.
The RFU recommends that the months of September and January are used by Clubs and Schools to help coaches develop their coaching skills and, as appropriate, to qualify themselves to coach their current age grade or to prepare for coaching another age grade the following season. While team coaching/training sessions and competitive matches may continue to take place in January, this should not prevent coaches from engaging in such education activities and Clubs and Schools should give priority to coaches' education during these months.
The RFU also makes the following recommendations:

* (a) at a fixture, a coaching session should precede each match;
* (b) all matches should be used as an extension of the coaching session with the emphasis being on the quality of performance rather than the result;
* (c) during Mini-Tag (U7 and U8) matches only, coaches can direct and develop play in a coaching sense on the field of play from behind their teams;
* (d) at Under 7 and Under 8 age grade, coaches must help to encourage the carrying of the ball in two hands and prompt players to players to pass when tagged but should avoid interfering with the flow of the game and must not have any contact with players of either side while on the pitch;
* (e) the emphasis must be on enjoyment and players must be encouraged to enjoy the physical skills of running, passing and evasion;
* (f) during half-time intervals, coaches must take time to talk to, encourage, coach and explain the game to the players;
* (g) mismatches can be avoided by talking to the coach in charge of the opposition before the game.