Level Up Skills
Level Up is an IRFU online resource to  to help communities stay rugby active during ongoing public health measures that fight the spread of COVID-19.
Level Up will provide clubs and schools with the tools to keep their rugby activity fresh, relevant and rewarding for everyone involved.
There will also be support content available for people looking to keep busy and stay active in their own homes.
In our latest update, posted December 5th, we take a look at some coaching tips on Tackle Technique for Mini Rugby. These drills are part of our Aviva Minis programme which will build up to the return of the Aviva Minis Festivals in 2022.
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Click Here To Download Illustrated PDF
ACTIVITY ONE
Aim: Practice tackle technique for front and side on tackle, and falling in the tackle
Equipment Needed
- Cones – 6 per grid
- Balls – 3 per grid
Activity Description
- Tackler(2b) stands facing three attackers numbered 1, 2 & 3
- Coach calls 1, 2 or 3. That attacker then runs straight ahead to their cone
- Tackler must complete the tackle, side on for 1 & 3, front on for 2
Fundamentals
- Low body position on approach
- Arms raised to chest height
- Control pace & maintain balance
- Tackle target area = mid-thigh
- Keep chin up and in a correct and safe position
- Use leg drive to de-stabilise the ball carrier
- Maintain tight arm grip until tackle is completed
- Roll away and get back to feet
Variations
- Start tacklers on their knees to build confidence
- Bring tackler and attackers closer together to simplify, move further apart to make more challenging
- Allow evasion from attackers to make more challenging
ACTIVITY PROGRESSION
Aim: Practice tackle technique for front and side on tackle, and falling in the tackle
Variation
- One attacker only
- Changing the point of attack
Equipment Needed
- Cones – 6 per grid
-  Balls – 1 per grid
Activity Description
- Coach calls 1, 2 or 3. Attacker moves to that number, then to the cone opposite
- Tackler(starting at cone 2b) must complete the tackle, side on for 1 & 3, front on for 2
Variations
- Start tacklers on their knees to build confidence
- Start with walking tackle, then progress to jogging and running
- Bring tackler and attackers closer together to simplify, move further apart to make more challenging
- Allow evasion from attackers to make more challenging
These session plans have been created to help clubs, schools and community groups to organise fun, developmental touch rugby training sessions with the option to build towards a game or blitz style event.
There are 8 x 1 hour sessions included. All are designed to teach the basic skills of touch rugby for players and coaches of all ages and abilities.
Click Here To Download IRFU Touch Rugby Training Session Plans
These session plans will help to understand:
- The basics of touch rugby
- Coaching touch rugby to beginners
- Coaching non-contact rugby skills for all formats of the game.
Additional Touch Rugby Sample Training Sessions are available as part of Irish Rugby’s Level Up Development Resources For Clubs and Schools.
Touch Rugby Sample Training Session 1:Â [Click Here To Download]
Features:
- Tagger (10 Minutes)
- Skills Relay (10 Minutes)
- 4v4 Modified Touch Rugby (20 Minutes)
- Attack The Seven (20 Minutes)
- Brumbies Touch Modified Rules (20 Minutes)
Touch Rugby Sample Training Session 2:Â [Click Here To Download]
Features:
- Keep Ball (10 Minutes)
- 2 Player Drive (10 Minutes)
- Brumbies Touch Modified Rules (20 Minutes)
- Attack The Seven (20 Minutes)
- Modified Touch (20 Minutes)
Touch Rugby Sample Training Session 3:Â [Click Here To Download]
Features:
- The Interceptor (10 Minutes)
- Dynamic Roll Ball Scoop On The 7 (10 Minutes)
- Play Touch (10 Minute Games)
Irish Rugby has a new video series of games that families can enjoy in their own homes.
The games are simple, easy to play, and assist in the development of fundamental movement skills.
IRFU Head of Coach Development Matt Wilkie hosts the series, with the help of this three sons, Jack, Sammy and Alfie.
The full series of 30 games are now available to watch.
Aviva Minis: Rugby Skills Series
01. ‘Throw and Clap’ Developing Catch & Throw Skills
02. ‘Pass & Tag’ Developing Catch, Pass, Run & Tag Skills
03. ‘Turn and Catch’ Developing Catch & Throw Skills
04. ‘Tennis Ball Drop’ Developing Catch Skills
05. ‘Partner Reflex’ Developing Balance & Coordination Skills
06. ‘Pass & Run’ Developing Catch & Pass Skills
07. ‘The Gauntlet’ Developing Agility Skills
08. ‘Dragon’s Den’ Developing Balance, Agility & Evasion Skills
09 ‘Kick-Tennis’ Developing Kick & Catch Skills
10. ‘Target Passing’ Developing Passing Skills
11. ‘Rob The Nest’ Developing Agility & Evasion Skills
12 ‘Kicking Ten-Pin’ Developing Kick & Catch Skills
13 ‘One Hand Catch’ Developing Catch & Pass Skills
14 ‘Ball Tag’ Developing Agility, Balance & Evasion Skills
15 ‘Nervous Wreck’ Developing Catch & Pass Skills
16 ‘Pass & Place’ Developing Pick & Pass Skills
17 ‘Kicking Golf’ Developing Kicking Skills
18 ‘Freeze’ Developing Fundamental Movement Skills
19 ‘Around The Clock’ Developing Catch & Pass Skills
20: ‘Try Scoring Spree’ Developing Run, Evasion & Tag Skills
21: ‘Reflex Catches’ – Developing Catch, Throw & Strike Stills
22: ‘Rugby Relays’ – Developing Agility, Catch, Pass & Kick Skills
23: ‘Rats & Rabbits’ – Developing Run & Agility Skills
24: ‘Rugby Minefield’ – Developing Agility, Balance & Run Skills
25: ‘Channel Catch & Pass’ – Developing Run, Catch & Pass Skills
26: ‘Hop & Bounce’ Developing Throw & Bounce Skills
27. Pass & Score – Developing Catch, Evasion & Tag SkillsÂ
28: Catch & Step – Developing Catch, Pass & Kick Skills
29: Rugby Dodgeball – Developing Agility & Balance Skills
30: Hot Potato – Developing Catch & Pass Skills
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You can also check out our Aviva Mini Rugby Skill Zone.Â
This document outlines some options for rugby players who would like to find opportunities amid current restrictions to improve their fitness and develop their core skills.
This particular session takes roughly 40-45 minutes to complete.
Click Here To Download Acceleration, Speed & Change Of Direction
Non-Contact Skill Development:
These sessions are all suitable as permitted activities under Level 5 Restrictions. They are non-contact and can be run within a pod of 15 including coaches and COVID-19 Club Compliance officers.
Each session should have four elements:
- Warm Up
- Skills
- Game
- Warm Down
Theme Format Skill Focus Suitable For To Help Players To Catching High Ball PDF Non-Contact All Ages Catch & movement under high ball Attacking From Depth PDF Non-Contact All Ages Attack straight and from depth Decision Making 1 PDF Non-Contact All Ages Develop decision making skills Decision Making 2 PDF Non-Contact All Ages Develop decision making skills Grubber Kicking PDF Non-Contact All Ages Execute grubber kick Punt Kicking PDF Non-Contact All Ages Execute punt kick Scrum Half Passing 1 PDF Non-Contact All Ages Develop as scrum halves Scrum Half Passing 2 PDF Non-Contact All Ages Develop as scrum halves Loop Passing PDF Non-Contact All Ages Execute loop passing Switch Passing PDF Non-Contact All Ages Execute switch passing Picking and Placing Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Pick up the ball properly Place the ball properly
Touch and Evasion Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Score tries Tackle effectively
Evade
Rolling and Passing Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Roll the ball correctly Pass the ball correctly
Passing Effectively Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Choose the correct pass Pass effectively to either side
Carry the ball in two hands
Evading and Tackling Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Carry the ball with two hands Evade defenders
Touch correctly
Passing and Catching Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Catch the ball correctly Pass correctly
Passing – When And How? Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Catch the ball correctly Pass the ball correctly
Know when to pass
Game Understanding Video Non-Contact School Aged Children Understand the game more Know when to pass
Many clubs and schools are resuming rugby after a prolonged period of training restrictions.
This webinar discussed COVID-19 and injury as barriers to performance and identified solutions to help teams optimise their preseason accordingly.
#ReturnToRugby: Injury Prevention And A Safe Return To Rugby
Panellists: Dr Rod McLoughlin (IRFU Medical Director), Colin McEntee (IRFU Rugby Development Director), Martin Kennedy (IRFU National Talent Athletic Development Lead)
Reference Documents:
ONLINE LOTTERY
Online Lottery is a simple way of getting recurring cash flow into rugby clubs. Emerald Warriors moved to an online lottery system in December 2019 and it proven very successful for them. In this case study, Emerald Warriors Fundraising Officer Phillip Purcell talks through:
- Securing A Charity Lottery Licence
- Using An Online Platform
- Communicating To Members
CROWDFUNDING
Crowdfunding is being used by more and more by Irish rugby clubs to raise funds. Many traditional methods of fundraising are not possible at present due to public health measures, but Old Crescent have managed a successful crowdfunding campaign to replace some of their cancelled events.
In this case study, Old Crescent’s Paul Donnellan talks through:
- Setting up on a crowdfunding campaign
- Getting the message right
- Maximising the campaign though social media
ONLINE EVENTS
Public health measures have given rise to a surge in the use of online video conferencing tools to keep friends, family and communities connected. Bangor RFC hosted a club event on Zoom as a way of marking the end of the season, but it was also an opportunity to raise much needed funds.
Their case study was presented by Senior XV Head Coach Tom Rock.
- Adding value to an online event
- Monetising the event
- Managing Video Conference tools
CONVERTING CONTENT INTO CASHFLOW
Cash flow is a major concern for clubs at present. Public health measures mean that many traditional fundraising methods are not possible. Clubs who might want to raise funds while offering value to their members could look at turning their content into cash-flow.
Three Red Kings Founder Tom Savage talked through:
- Why people are willing to pay for club content (photography, video and streaming)
- Managing a pay wall for content
- Creating opportunities for club sponsors
Level Up – Helping Players Transition From Age Grade To Adult Rugby:
Total Video Duration: 17:19
What You Will Learn About:
- Why Young Adults Play Rugby
- Understanding Young Adults
- Supporting Young Adults Transition To Adult Game
Who You Will Hear From:
- Colin O’Hare, Leinster Rugby Coach & Player Development Officer
- Molly Boyne, IRFU Youth Council Member
- Jamie Turkington IRFU National Coach Development Manager
-
Why Young Adults Play Rugby
Colin O’Hare, Leinster Rugby Coach & Player Development Officer presents an overview on what young people want from sport and why they step away from it [Duration: 06:13]
What Do Young Players Want From Sport
- Fun and enjoyment
- An opportunity to develop, progress and challenge themselves
- Appropriate training and game experiences
- An opportunity to play and train with their peers
- Social connection and to be part of something
Why Do Player Drop Out In Transition From Age Grade To Adult Sport?
- It stops being fun
- The player developed and progressed – but their coach didn’t
- Their coach didn’t adapt, change and innovate in line with the athlete’s changing needs
- Their friends – their peer group – all moved on to something or somewhere else
- Another ‘relationship’ became more appealing
- The sport’s competitive structure didn’t adapt as the player’s needs changed
-
Understanding Young People In Early Adulthood
 Molly Boyne, IRFU Youth Council Member explains how young adults are a distinct group within sport with distinct needs. [Duration: 01:14]
Young People In Early Adulthood:
- Have a keen interest in multiple sports and hobbies
- Enjoy more time with their friends and peers
- Physical changes apparent as they move into adulthood
- Have established co-ordination skills and like developing new skills
- Maturity levels vary
- Developing understanding of emotions, feelings and thoughts
- Increasingly have their own identity, likes and dislikes
- Enjoy solving problems and having responsibility
Understanding The Impact of COVID-19:
Molly Boyne, IRFU Youth Council Member identifies the unique challenges faced by young adults during COVID-19 in a sporting context [Duration: 03:57]
-
Supporting Young Adults Transitioning To The Adult Game
IRFU National Coach Development Manager Jamie Turkington Outlines Some Considerations For Coaches and Clubs in supporting players transition from age grade to adult rugby. (Duration: 05:55)
Coaches:
- Provide fun, enjoyment and well being
- Continue their own learning and development
- Know your players and support their development
- Understand the player group and their needs
- Understand and influence appropriate training, game time and competition
- Develop relationships and connect with other coaches throughout your club
Club:
- Ensure a fun and enjoyable environment for all
- Ensure social wellbeing and support for young players as they integrate
- Identify and cater for the needs of players
- Provide meaningful game experiences as players are introduced to the adult game
- Proactive in recruitment and retention of players
These session plans have been created to help clubs, schools and community groups to organise fun, developmental tag rugby training sessions with the option to build towards a game or blitz style event.
There are 8 x 1 hour sessions included. All are designed to teach the basic skills of tag rugby for players and coaches of all ages and abilities.
Click Here To Download IRFU Tag Rugby Training Session Plans
These session plans will help to understand:
- The basics of tag rugby
- Coaching tag rugby to beginners
- Coaching non-contact rugby skills for all formats of the game.
