A free knowledge base built on documents published by World Rugby (the Laws of the Game, Coaching Children, Tackle Ready, Activate, the graduated return to play) and the Fédération Française de Rugby (its École de Rugby fiches M6 to M14, the Dispositions Spécifiques), with the LNR for the professional vocabulary and the RFU's Age Grade programme as an English comparator. Every figure comes from a published document, and where World Rugby and the FFR set the rule differently — tackle height, the age of the first tackle, the 20-minute red card — both positions are printed side by side.
Rugby Côté Coach hub — illustrative; the axes follow World Rugby / FFR. Rugby sevens plays on the same field.
Pick an age group
Priorities — and above all what contact is allowed — change completely from one band to the next.
Do
Games first: handling, evasion and touch games — Sharks & Fishes, the five-pass game, rob-the-nest. This is World Rugby's Coaching Children method and the FFR's École de Rugby fiches.
Ball presentation on the ground with no contest for it — the skill before the fight.
Lots of ball in hand, fun kick-and-catch, running into space; size-3 ball.
Avoid
Tackling at M6: the FFR forbids it — play is « saisir / ceinturer » (grasp / hold at the waist), no tackle, the educator calls « PRIS » (held). A tackle drill here is a safety error.
Tackling at M8 before January: the FFR plays M8 as « touché + 2 secondes » (touch + 2 s) from September to December, and only introduces the tackle from January.
The scrum, even uncontested: the FFR permits no scrum before M12 — and a ground contest (ruck, jackal) has no place here either.
Do
Learn the tackle as technique before contest: the side-on tackle first, then the front-on shape. The FFR introduces it from M8 (January) and generalises it at M10.
The M12 « no-impact » educational scrum, 3+2: no credential, push limited to winning the ball. It is the very first scrum in the pathway.
Draw-and-pass, 2v1, spin pass, conditioned touch games; the ball steps up to size 4.
Avoid
The contested scrum before M14: M12 is no-impact (3+2), the push « never re-taken ». The contest and the trained front row begin at M14.
The contested scrum without the Passeport Joueur de Devant (front-row passport): the FFR requires it from M14; with no PJD holder the scrum is uncontested.
The one-off championship match below M16: the FFR runs only tournaments and plateaux before M16. And it uses no weight bands — placement runs through the PJD and medical reclassement, not size.
Do
The full game: contested scrum with a trained front row, lifting lineout, ground contest and jackal, live front-on tackle.
The World Rugby U19 variation: 2×35, limited scrum push (≈ 1.5 m, no wheel > 45°), uncontested scrum with 8 if no trained front row; FFR sin-bin of 5 minutes.
The Activate warm-up and light isometric neck and trunk work, preparing for collisions (World Rugby / RFU programme, outside the FFR/FSR curriculum).
Avoid
The contested scrum without a trained front row: the FFR requires the medical mention « autorisé 1ère ligne » and the PJD; with no trained players the scrum is uncontested by law (World Rugby, Law 3.8 cover table).
Senior settings: under the U19 variation the push is limited and there is no extra time.
Returning too early after a concussion (blue card): for under-19s the FFR minimum is day 23 (2nd concussion → day 42 + specialist; 3rd → day 180). Same-day return is prohibited.
Do
The full XV and Sevens game — contested scrum, open ground contest, contestable kicking, lineout and maul, pod play.
Model the two formats without flattening them: XV 2×40, 15 players, 8 replacements (1-23), 10-min sin-bin, min 11 to start (FFR — World Rugby sets no minimum); Sevens: 2×7, 2-min sin-bin, 3-player scrum.
The competition's tackle-height setting, and neck work integrated into adult strength and conditioning (community Activate).
Avoid
Applying one tackle height everywhere: since 1 July 2026, the World Rugby community game sets it at the waist or the base of the sternum (organiser's choice), while the elite game keeps the shoulder line. And stop citing the superseded 2019 « armpit » trial.
Believing the 20-minute red card is universal: it is elite-only law from 1 July 2026 (the FFR applies it as a « carton orange » in the Top 14 / Pro D2); every amateur competition keeps the permanent red.
Presenting lower tackling as proven against concussion: the reference community trial (Stokes 2021) is a null result (RR ≈ 1.31, CI 0.85-2.01), and it shifts risk toward the tackler. Likewise, the scrum cap does not protect against concussion.
Session generator
Age band, duration, work area — and a minuted outline. All 31 drills come from a published federation document.
The drills
Filter by work area. Each drill carries the set-up its federation published.
The generator above also lives inside the app, on the session itself: pick the age band, the duration and the work area, and Paak builds a minuted outline from this same library of 31 drills. Edit it, save it to the session — that is free. Printing the session sheet and club-authored drills beyond 5 are in Paak One; training analytics is in Paak Pro.
15 × 15 m grid · 1 ball per 2 · start/finish cones
What it trains
Starting the session moving with a ball: carry it in two hands, elbows in, eyes up, and reach early for the lobbed ball at the line. Nothing about speed, everything about the hands.
Published frame
Non-contact warm-up (FFR M6/M8): a clean catch on the call, ball always in two hands.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderruncone
Set out
20 × 20 m grid · hoop of balls in the centre · 1 base per team · 1–2 taggers
What it trains
Beating the tagger with a change of pace and direction, not just straight-line speed; carrying in two hands and protecting the ball by turning the shoulder away.
Published frame
Non-contact game: the tagger touches with two hands. If touched, the runner drops the ball where tagged. Most balls home wins.
ball-carrier / attackerpassrun
Set out
15 m wide lane · 3–5 players in a line · 1 ball · start/try-line cones
What it trains
The soft, accurate lateral pass in front of the receiver, at chest height, so they run onto it: hands up early as a target, catch early, look before you pass.
Published frame
Non-contact drill: the line jogs forward, the last receiver scores, then it runs back the other way.
ball-carrier / attackerpasscone
Set out
team of 4–5 on a 20 m line · 1 ball · 1 turnaround cone
What it trains
Fast, accurate two-hand passing under a little time pressure: hands ready as a target before the ball arrives, pass early and in front — speed comes from timing, not from throwing hard.
Published frame
Non-contact: the ball runs down the line and back; a dropped ball is picked up and the pass re-made from that player.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrun
Set out
25 × 20 m grid · 2 teams of 4–5 · bibs · 1 ball
What it trains
Supporting the carrier — get into space, offer a target on both sides — and passing before the defender arrives. The carrier may not run: it is the support movement that keeps the ball.
Published frame
Non-contact game: five completed passes score a point; a two-hand touch, a dropped ball or an interception turns it over.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderrun
Set out
20 × 20 m grid · most players “fish” with 1 ball each · 2–3 “sharks” in the middle
What it trains
The sidestep and change of pace to evade, eyes up to read the sharks, protecting the ball in two hands through the swerve. The youngest players’ defence/evasion slot, with no tackling at all.
Published frame
Non-contact evasion game (replaces the tackle at u9): a fish touched with two hands becomes a shark next round.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrun
Set out
30 × 20 m grid · end zone at each end · 2 teams of 4–5 · bibs · 1 ball
What it trains
Moving the ball where the defence isn’t — width and support both sides — and a receiver who times the run to arrive in the zone as the pass comes, without camping there.
Published frame
Non-contact game: a score is a pass to a team-mate who catches in the far end zone; a two-hand touch or a dropped ball turns it over.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpass
Set out
two zones either side of a line (or net/rope at head height) · teams of 3–4 · 1 ball
What it trains
Catching the high ball safely — fingers spread, elbows in, “make a basket” and watch it all the way — and striking with the instep, following through to the target. The playful introduction to kicking.
Published frame
Non-contact game: catch before it bounces twice, then kick back from where it was caught; a point if the ball lands untouched.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassruncone
Set out
10 m channel · 1 carrier · 1 support behind · “gate” cones · on grass or mats
What it trains
Turning to face your own team before placing — “back to the defender, ball to your friends” — and presenting with long arms, the ball as far back as possible, so the support picks and plays.
Published frame
No contest for the ball at this age (FFR M6/M8): after the touch, the carrier places cleanly, the support picks up.
coach / feederball-carrier / attackerpass
Set out
two lines 3–5 m apart · 1 thrower · jumpers (two-footed jump) · 1 receiver · no lifting
What it trains
The jumper times the jump to the ball and catches at the highest point with two hands; the thrower throws straight, the same action every time — accuracy over power. No lifting at this age.
Published frame
Non-contact catching game: no lifting of the jumper at u9; rotate the roles.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrun
Set out
4 attackers · 2 defenders (bibs) · 1 ball
What it trains
Draw-and-pass in an overload: run AT the defender to fix him before releasing, then feed a supporter who has depth and width. It is the read, not raw speed, that keeps the 4 v 2 alive.
Published frame
Touch game, no tackle: on a two-hand touch, a quick pass and the attack continues. Count tries in a set time, then rotate the defenders.
Stay alive in contact and pass out of it: drive with the legs, turn to shield the ball from the tackler, then offload to a supporter running a late, close line from depth. The ball survives the tackle.
Published frame
Full-tackle contact for u17+ only, at the current tackle-height law (World Rugby community: waist / base of the sternum from 1 July 2026). For younger bands, shield only.
ball-carrier / attackerrunpasscone
Set out
Small teams · bags or cones (threat) · 1 ball
What it trains
Breakdown roles at controlled intensity: after the touch the carrier presents, the first supporter arrives low and secures, then the ball is played fast. It is touch plus a controlled clear, not a live fight for the ball.
Published frame
Touch, not full tackle: the first supporter secures, shoulder-led not head-led. The contest for the ball (jackal) only arrives at u17. The defence resets 1 m back.
ball-carrier / attackerpass
Set out
Pairs 20-30 m apart · 1 ball per pair · target cones
What it trains
Groove the punt: drop the ball onto the foot (do not throw it up), strike with the instep and follow through to the target. Success is making your partner catch without moving more than a step.
Published frame
Non-contact technical drill. Count clean catches, then increase the distance; progress to kicking on the move and the grubber along the ground.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrun
Set out
1 carrier · 1 supporter · 1 defender · 1 ball
What it trains
Fix and pass: run AT the defender to commit him, then pass late and in front into the receiver’s running space. The same read will later serve full contact.
Published frame
Played touch at every age; light contact for older bands only (u17+). Alternate the pass side, then let the defender choose his target to force the read.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderrunpass
Set out
30 m channel · 3 waves of 3-4 · 1 defensive line · 1 ball
What it trains
Support depth and fast re-alignment between waves: never stand and watch, come from depth and play what is in front, attacking the space a tired defence leaves.
Published frame
Set the contact to the band: touch for young bands, full contact only at u17+ with the tackle-height law applied. The ball goes straight to the next wave against the reset defence.
Attack the overload fast before the defence recovers, and in defence slow the game to buy time. Heads up, communicate, and make the decision the condition rewards.
Published frame
Touch game, non-contact. The coach sets and changes the condition (max passes, touch count before turnover, overload) every few minutes to hit the day’s theme.
coach / feederball-carrier / attackerruncone
Set out
20 m channel · cones every 5 m · mats optional · no ball
What it trains
Movement quality and collision preparation: knees in line, controlled landings, and a light isometric neck block (hold, no jerk). Do it every session — it is the consistency that protects.
Published frame
Activate warm-up (World Rugby / RFU): controlled lunges and squats, single-leg balance, lateral bounds, a partner-resisted neck hold, low to moderate. An English-origin programme, not FFR-published.
ball-carrier / attackerdefendercoach / feederpass
Set out
2 front rows of 3 · +2 bound behind · 1 scrum-half · on grass
What it trains
The first scrum, with no impact: the packs are already together before the feed, straight backs and heads up, and the push is only to win the ball, never to drive the opponent off it.
Published frame
Federation rule: M12 educational scrum « jeu à 10 », no impact and uncontested, with no front-row passport. Contested push and the PJD only begin at M14: with no PJD holders, no contested scrum is played (FFR fiches M12/M14).
Win the high ball: the catcher calls early and loud, jumps with a lead knee and takes it at the highest point; the chaser arrives as it drops and contests legally in the air, with no charge or tackle before the catch.
Published frame
The aerial contest with contact is for u17+ only. For younger bands, play an uncontested catch under the up-and-under, with no chaser in contact.
Channels 5 m wide · 1 carrier + 1 tackler facing (3-4 m) · shields for the technical stage then live in a graded build-up
What it trains
The safe front-on tackle: head to the SIDE of the carrier (never in front), chest-and-shoulder contact, a tight wrap and leg drive to finish on top. This is the technique that keeps the tackle legal and protects the tackler as much as the carrier.
Published frame
Criterion: head to the side ("cheek on the ball-side"), chest contact and wrap, never head-first. Full-contact tackling is for u17+ (and gated youth from your union's tackle age); apply the current legal tackle height — World Rugby community game: waist or base of the sternum from 1 Jul 2026; elite: shoulder line [World Rugby Law 14 / Tackle Ready].
In pairs on grass or mats · 1 carrier on a straight line · 1 tackler starting from the side · 1 shield for the entry stage
What it trains
The first tackle players learn: the side-on tackle. The head ALWAYS behind or to the side ("cheek to cheek"), both arms wrapping and squeezing, riding the carrier to ground and finishing on top. Never just a shoulder bump.
Published frame
Criterion: head behind or to the side, never in front; wrap both arms. Contact is gated by age — FFR introduces the tackle in M8 only from January (Sept-Dec is touch+2s); below the tackle age run it as touch, and apply the current legal tackle height [FFR fiches M8/M10; World Rugby Law 14].
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrunthe other choice
Set out
Area 30 × 20 m · 5-6 attackers (ball) · 4-5 defenders on a marked line · full contact or touch depending on the band
What it trains
Line defence: come up TOGETHER and connected, because the line is only as fast as its slowest defender. Everyone calls their man before contact, then the whole line either drifts out or shoots up (blitz) on the same call.
Published frame
Criterion: the line comes up connected, each defender calls who they take. In full contact (u17+), apply the current legal tackle height (World Rugby community: waist / base of the sternum from 1 Jul 2026); at younger bands run it two-hand touch.
Ruck station · 1 ball presented on the ground · 1 jackal on the ball (shield then live) · clean-out players arriving from 2-3 m · mats optional
What it trains
The breakdown clean-out: arrive low and square, flat back, make shoulder contact on the BODY of the threat (never the head or neck), grip and drive with short steps past the ball, then stay on the feet. Leg drive clears the threat, not a dive.
Published frame
Criterion: low, square, spine in line; the contact zone is the body, NEVER the head or neck of the jackal — a high or dangerous clean-out is penalised and unsafe. Full-contact drill for u17+; the timing of arrival matters as much as force.
Tackle-and-ruck station · 1 tackled carrier who presents · 1 jackal contesting · 1 clean-out arriving · on grass or mats
What it trains
The jackal: after a legal tackle, get to the ball first ON YOUR FEET, hands on the ball before the support arrives, strong shoulders and a braced back to hold for the turnover — or release at once as soon as a ruck forms and you are off your feet.
Published frame
Criterion: body weight on the legs, never on the ball-carrier — you must be on your feet to be legal (Laws 15/16). Grip early, release at once once a ruck forms. Full-contact skill for u17+: a poor body position here is a neck-load risk.
ball-carrier / attackerpass
Set out
Marked lineout (5 m and 15 m lines) · 1 hooker throwing · 1 jumper + 2 lifters (pod) · 1 scrum-half receiver
What it trains
The lineout: the hooker throws to a spot, not to a person, while the pod (two lifters) drives the jumper vertically. The jumper catches with two hands at the top and delivers; the lifters lower him to the ground under control — never let him drop.
Published frame
Criterion: the lifters grip the jumper's thighs/shorts, drive with the legs, keep him vertical and lower him under control. Lifting is an older-age, coached skill — the World Rugby Under-19 variation applies to youth lineouts; introduce it only when players are ready and coached.
2 full front rows (1 loosehead, 2 hooker, 3 tighthead) + locks and back row bound · 1 scrum-half · scrum machine optional · trained front-rowers only
What it trains
The contested scrum: two full front rows engage on the crouch – bind – set sequence. Spine in line, hips above knees, a stable bind before the engagement; engage only on "set", push straight, no early hit and no wheel beyond 45 degrees.
Published frame
SAFETY GATE: front row is a credentialed position. FFR requires the medical mention "autorisé 1re ligne" + the annual certificate and, for youth, the Passeport Joueur de Devant (PJD, from M14); Suisse Rugby requires the Passeport 1re ligne. With no trained front-rowers the scrum is UNCONTESTED by law (World Rugby Law 3.8 cover table). Never run a contested scrum without credentialed front rows.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrunthe other choice
Set out
Full-width channel · forwards in pods (groups of 3) · backs alignment behind · defensive line / pads · 1 scrum-half to distribute
What it trains
Pod play (1-3-3-1): organisation OFF the ball is the whole point. Each pod is pre-set at the next channel BEFORE the ball arrives; the carrier goes forward and secures quickly, and the scrum-half always plays to the pod that is ready. Keep the 1-3-3-1 spacing across the width, phase after phase.
Published frame
Criterion: the pods are pre-set BEFORE the ball arrives — organisation off the ball is the key point. Carry with intent, secure quickly, the 9 plays to the ready pod. Full-contact phase drill for u17+/senior; keep the clean-out legal (no head/neck contact) and apply the tackle-height law.
ball-carrier / attackerdefenderpassrunthe other choice
Set out
Half-pitch with zones marked · 1 scrum-half or fly-half + balls · 1 chase group · receivers positioned · defensive picture set by cones or bodies
What it trains
Territory kicking: the DECISION before the technique. The kicker reads the defensive picture and chooses — box (up-and-under) for a contest, long for territory, grubber behind a rushing line. And the chase makes the kick good: kick only as far as your chasers can pressure.
Published frame
Criterion: decide first, kick second — kick to the space the defence gives you. Box: quick, high, chaseable; long: find grass or touch; grubber: behind a line that is up fast. Senior / advanced tactical drill (team kicking strategy).
ball-carrier / attackercoach / feederthe other choice
Set out
In pairs or solo · 1 mat · no external load · the partner gives gentle manual resistance, or a self-braced position · quiet space
What it trains
Neck and trunk conditioning, isometric: you HOLD against gentle resistance, never jerk and never load the neck heavily. It is collision preparation, not a max-strength session — hence a deliberately low intensity, with volume built up slowly.
Published frame
Criterion: isometric and light — HOLD against gentle resistance, no jerk. Pain-free range only; stop at any neck pain and refer on. Do it age-appropriately (u17+/senior); build volume slowly. Also: trunk holds (front and side planks).
Reduced pitch (e.g. 40 × 30 m) · 2 teams of 7-10 · 1 ball · cones for the laws in use · 1 referee (coach)
What it trains
The small-sided opposed game: let the game teach. Players transfer into real play the conditions worked on earlier (quick ball, defensive line speed); the coach intervenes in short touches, not a running commentary, with real restarts.
Published frame
Criterion: hold players to the session's theme, with real restarts (scrum, lineout, kick-off). Apply the band's law variation and the current tackle-height setting; scrums are contested only with credentialed front rows — uncontested otherwise by law (Law 3.8).
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