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Lesson 1 of 6
  • Year 8

Ball familiarisation in rugby

I can run confidently with the ball in two hands.

Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Ball familiarisation in rugby

I can run confidently with the ball in two hands.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: carrying the ball uses two hands whilst running at pace and changing direction.
  2. Think: a try is scored by grounding the ball in your hands with downward pressure.
  3. Feel: creativity involves using a variety of passes and ways to pick up/offload the ball.
  4. Connect: awareness of others is required to avoid collisions, especially when moving at pace.

Keywords

  • Pop pass - a short, quick pass used to maintain continuity and create attacking opportunities, especially in close-contact situations

  • Try - a goal scored by grounding the ball over the oppositions try line, resulting in five points

  • Scoop - the action of picking up a loose ball from the ground while on the move

Common misconception

It is better to move with the ball in one hand and score a try with one hand.

Despite it perhaps being more comfortable to have the ball in one hand (or under the arm) when running, it does not keep the ball as safe and therefore increases the risk of dropping the ball and therefore your team losing possession.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Ball familiarisation in rugby, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Depending on the level and experience of your pupils, you can include optional tackling/tackle bag touching for defenders to add in more pressure on the ball handler. However, contact versions of the game should only be managed by suitably experienced and qualified staff (inc. concussion training).
Teacher tip

Equipment

16 balls, 30+ cones, 4 tackle bags (optional).

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which direction can you pass in rugby?

forwards
Correct answer: backwards
any direction

Q2.
How do you score points in rugby?

Correct answer: a try
a goal
in a hoop

Q3.
Which direction should you always try to run with the ball in rugby?

backwards
Correct answer: forwards
sideways

Q4.
What is it called if you drop the ball forwards?

knock-up
knock-down
Correct answer: knock-on

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
How many hands should you hold the rugby ball with?

Correct Answer: 2 hands, 2, two, two hands

Q2.
How could you avoid collisions when running with the ball?

Correct answer: look up
run faster
stop when passing

Q3.
What type of pass would you use over a short distance?

spin pass
loop pass
Correct answer: pop pass

Q4.
Where should you position yourself when picking up a ball off the ground?

Correct Answer: over the ball