Game version
Ball-presentation game: place the ball and set a strong base while a partner reads your position aloud, with no contact. Swap.
Supporting the Ball Carrier
Arrive fast behind your teammate so the ball is protected before anyone else gets there.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Only with a coach. A carrier jogs into a held shield and goes to ground.
Core: Steady. Beat your own steadiest base.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and 2 partners
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Tackle shields, rugby ball, coach, 2 partners
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Breakdown
The steps
How it works
- Only with a coach. A carrier jogs into a held shield and goes to ground.
- You follow 2 yards behind them on their shoulder.
- Arrive low and bind over the ball, then drive the shield away at walking pace.
- Do 10 rounds, swapping roles.
Coaching point
Stay close, arrive low.
Safety: Only with a coach, for ages 14 and up (or later, as your club's union allows). Contact is with a held tackle shield, at walking pace, on soft grass or mats. Head to the side, never head first. Tackle at the waist or below. No swing tackles, lifting or throws. Any head knock or symptom (headache, dizziness, neck pain): stop, tell the coach, and no more rugby until a doctor clears you, at least 21 days for children.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slow), Core (steady), More (a quick reset). Beat your own steadiest base.
Story
You are a builder laying a firm foundation.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own steadiest base. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free rugby week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.