RFU

LONG TERM ATHLETE

DEVELOPMENT MODEL
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

STAGE 1
FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS 4

STAGE 2
FUNDAMENTAL RUGBY SKILLS 6

STAGE 3
BUILDING THE POTENTIAL RUGBY SPECIFIC CORE SKILLS 8

STAGE 4
OPTIMISING THE POTENTIAL RUGBY POSITIONAL AND UNIT SKILLS 10

STAGE 5
MAXIMISING THE POTENTIAL 12

STAGE 6
RECRUIT, RETAIN, RETRAIN, THROUGHOUT LIFE 14

INTRODUCTION
• Rugby is a late specialisation sport, which requires a generalised approach to early training

• During this time, children are developmentally ready to acquire the fundamental movement
skills that are the cornerstones of all athletic development.

• The introduction of the ABCs of athleticism (agility, balance, co-ordination, speed) during
this period will lay the foundation of athletic excellence for later years.

• The Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy is based on the required technical,
tactical, mental and physiological requirements of sporting performance.
3
 STAGE 1 FUNDAMENTAL
MOVEMENT SKILLS

1
SPORTING DEVELOPMENT IN
THE EARLY YEARS - U7-U9

The FUNdamental stage has to be well HANDLING KICKING

structured and fun! The emphasis is on
fundamental movement skills, and the Catching Basic ball control
ABCs of athleticism (Agility, Balance, Co- High, low and one handed using different Individual ball skills with the feet, e.g. ‘football
ordination, Speed), the ABCs of athletics shaped balls from a variety of heights and kick ups’, dribbling, etc.
(running, throwing and jumping) and the speeds.
KGBs of movement (Kinaesthesia, Gliding, Passing CONTACT
Buoyancy, Striking). Using a variety of styles (one, two hands or Basic body management skills
overarm and underarm) types, lengths of pass in Including rolling and falling (contact with
Participation in as many sports as possible different directions. ground).
is encouraged - if possible three or four
times per week. Basic ball control Personal conditioning
Individual ball skills, e.g. picking up, putting Including bending, stretching, twisting and
Where: Primary school PE, rugby clubs, down, ‘basketball’ type ball manipulation, etc. turning (basic body movement), own body
multi-skill clubs. Co-ordination resistance and contact preparation.
Who: 6-8 years. Hand to eye co-ordination, Managing the ball in contact. Contact with
Why: To capture the magic. e.g. catching tennis ball, etc. other players, including bumping, grappling,
pushing and pulling (judo type skills).
Physical: General physical literacy -
RUNNING Introduction to contact, including tackle
develop the ABCs of movement - Agility,
progressions, ball presentation and basic ruck
Balance, Co-ordination and Speed. Hopping
and maul coaching.
Athleticism in running ,jumping and Left and right foot.
SET PIECES
throwing. Leaping
Technical: Ball acquaintance passing, Introduction of scrums
Height and length.
catching, evading. Allow all players to experience the scrum.
Tactical: Fun games developing spacial Jumping
Basic techniques
awareness and working together as a team. Height and length off both standing start and
Body position, feet position, binding and put-
Mental: Introduction to the Laws of the running.
in/strike.
Game, the rules of modified versions and Balance
the ethics of playing sport. On both feet.
Competition: Playing and training to the
appropriate rules. Evasion skills
Involvement in sporting activity: Five Swerve, sidestep, spin and change of pace.
hours per week across different sporting
activities (including PE or games at school).

4 5
 STAGE 2 FUNDAMENTAL
RUGBY SKILLS

2
LEARNING TO TRAIN
U10-U12

The emphasis is now on refinement and HANDLING KICKING CONTACT

maintenance of the athlete’s physical
capacities, fundamental movement skills Catching Basic ball control Basic body management skills
and the acquisition of rugby specific skills. High, low and one handed using different Individual ball skills with the feet, e.g. ‘football Including rolling, falling (contact with ground)
shaped balls from a variety of heights and kick ups’, dribbling, etc. and bumping (contact with other players).
This is allied to the continuation of other speeds. Work on two hand catching skills.
Game skills Personal conditioning
sporting activities throughout the school Passing Punt kick, grubber kick, drop kick and place Including bending, stretching, twisting and
year, and during summer and winter multi- Using a variety of styles (one, two hands or kick off both feet. turning (basic body movement), own body
sport camps. overarm and underarm) types, lengths of pass in resistance and contact preparation.
different directions. Develop game type passes,
Participation in sport twice per week is e.g. lateral, pass off the ground, pop, switch, miss Managing the ball in contact
recommended at this stage. and loop. Allow the players to experience methods of
playing the ball in
Basic ball control contact, e.g. bump and pass, offload, playing the
Where: Primary school PE, rugby clubs, Individual ball skills, e.g. picking up, putting
multi-skill clubs. ball from the ground.
down, ‘basketball’ type ball manipulation, etc.
Who: Boys: 9-11 years, girls: 10-13 years. Contact with other players
Why: To continue the magic for all and Co-ordination Including bumping, grappling, pushing and
capture the talent Hand to eye co-ordination, e.g. catching tennis pulling (judo type skills).
of some. ball, etc.
Improving contact skills
RUNNING Including tackle progressions and basic ruck
Physical: Developing physical literacy and
and maul coaching.
rugby-related fitness, progressing to Evasive skills
individual programmes for the more 1) Swerve
talented. Both directions, ability to get past a defender. SET PIECES
Technical: Developing the core skills in 2) Sidestep
passing, catching, running, evading, Off left and right foot - weight transfer, ability Introduction of lineout
tackling and kicking. to get past a defender. Simple throwing (overhead throw), jumping,
Tactical: Rugby specific games to 3) Speed catching and blocking skills.
introduce ‘Go Forward, Support, Continuity, Change of speed using leg strength and
Pressure’. technique. Development of the scrummage
Mental: Develop an understanding of the • Body position.
Laws of the Game and the ethics of playing Hopping • Feet position.
sport. Left and right foot. • Binding.
Competition: Playing and training to the Leaping • Hooking the ball.
appropriate rules. Height and length. • Additional positional techniques - 2nd row.
Involvement in sporting activity 3.5 Jumping
rugby specific hours plus other PE or Height and length off both standing start and
games activities in and out of school. running.

6 7
 STAGE 3 BUILDING THE POTENTIAL
RUGBY SPECIFIC CORE SKILLS

3
TRAINING TO TRAIN
U13-U15

Young athletes are introduced to the basic HANDLING RUNNING SET PIECES
technical and tactical skills along with
ancillary capacities including warm up and Catching Evasive running Lineout
cool down, stretching, hydration and nutrition, A variety of passes of different heights and Develop evasive skills - 1) Jumping
recovery and regeneration, mental preparation, weights over varying distances. High ball from sidestep, swerve, change of pace, spin turn. Reinforcement of technique. Development of
taper and peak, integrated pre-competition restarts and kicks in open play. explosive movement, with increased weight
Running style
routines and post-competition recovery. training knowledge.
Picking up stationary/moving ball from the Basic mechanics:
2) Supporting
ground. Pick up and pass. Falling on the • Arm movement
The major focus of training is on learning the Introduction of safe supporting techniques in
ball/baseball slide. • Leg movement
basics as opposed to competing. lineout (coaching only).
• Ladder work - forward/lateral/backward
Passing 3) Throwing
movement
Where: Middle and upper secondary school, Develop game related type passes with Reinforcement of technique. Practise to vary
• Hurdle work.
gifted & talented programmes at rugby clubs increasing pressure using 2 v 1, 3 v 2, etc. height, speed and distance of delivery.
and representative player squads. Develop ability to make the unusual pass - Scrum
KICKING
Who: Boys: 12-14 years, girls: 10-13 years. overhead pass, over the shoulder, circle ball. Reinforcement of balance and equilibrium in
Why: Player development and talent Game related kicking scrum.
Scrum half put in/passes - dive, pivot, reverse.
identification. • Punt ( defence) Development and understanding of body and
Develop other player specific passes.
• Punt (attack) -‘wipers’/‘bomb’ feet positions and binding.
Physical: Strength and conditioning, core • Grubber
stability, running agility • Chip Bind and body position of 6, 7 and 8.
exercises. Personalised programme. • Kicking from scrum half
Technical: Continuing development of core • Starts and restarts
skills and position-specific skills. • Free kick
Tactical: Develop an understanding of the • Place kick/drop kick
principles of play and introduce a ‘game
sense’ approach . CONTACT
Mental: Introduction to mental preparation.
Goal setting: Coping with winning and Body management
losing. Reinforce contact techniques with the ground
Team preparation: Two training sessions per and with the opposition.
week. Develop judo/wrestling type techniques.
Competition: One match per week
Hours per week: TALENTED - 10 rugby Managing the ball in contact
specific; Develop ability to play the ball in/out of the
COMMUNITY - 3-5 hours quality coaching contact area.
and playing. Managing the ball in the tackle
Planning: Two periods of training with two Passing off the ground. Placing the ball after
periods of competition. the tackle.

8 9
 STAGE 4 OPTIMISING THE POTENTIAL RUGBY
POSITIONAL AND UNIT SKILLS

4
TRAINING TO COMPETE KICKING SET PIECES
U16-U19 Game related kicking Scrummage
General skills for all players as in Stage 3. Reinforce core elements of scrummage from
Stage 3, e.g. body position, foot position,
Specialist positional kicking
timing, etc.
Athletes who are now proficient at HANDLING Should be developed from Stage 3.
Develop individual scrummage skills in
performing both basic and rugby specific Punt - For length, to recover, to stop/come back
Refine catching skills application and resistance of pressure.
skills learn to perform these skills under a on landing, to continue rolling; trajectories.
Develop receiving skills to take pass in front, Breathing and timing.
variety of competitive conditions during Drop kick - For goal: length, accuracy, under
behind, below and above. Dealing with specific opponents - taller,
training. pressure; for restarts: height/hang time, position
shorter, stronger, weaker, etc.
Refine passing skills (corners), length.
Specific positional work roles and interaction
The emphasis is now on individual Improve length, accuracy of pass, and passing Goal kicking
with other unit members.
preparation which addresses each athlete’s at pace. Dealing with dynamics of scrummage -
individual strengths and weaknesses. Positional skills CONTACT forwards, backwards, sideways, up and down,
11, 14 and 15 - Passing and receiving at pace, work on body management and foot movement.
Where: Secondary school PE and games switch, passing length. Body management - cross-training.
programmes, age grade representative sides. 10, 12 and 13 - Passing speed, accuracy and Reinforce contact techniques with the ground Lineout
Who: Boys: 15-18 years, girls: 14-17 years. length, switch, loop. Passing and receiving and the opposition. Refine skills in
Why: Player retention, development and under pressure. Flat and pulled back passes. Develop judo/wrestling type techniques. Stage 3:
specialisation. 9 - Speed, accuracy, length from the floor, out Managing the ball in contact, managing the Throw:
of hand, dive, pivot pass. Pop, switch passes. ball in the tackle and body management Accuracy,
Physical: Player and position-specific during/after the tackle consistency
fitness and conditioning programmes. Develop from Stage 3. length, speed.
RUNNING
Technical: Refinement of core skills and Types of throw -
position-specific skills. Refine rugby specific running skills Improve tackle/contact techniques
lob, flat, disguise.
Tactical: Decision-making tactical Develop evasive skills, e.g. sidestep, swerve, Offensive and defensive tackles. Develop skills
Position to 2, 4
awareness, game appreciation, team game change of pace, spin turn. to create turnover opportunities. Using
and 6 and tail.
analysis. momentum, control and awareness in the tackle.
Running style Timing.
Mental: Advanced mental training and Ruck/maul Jump: Footwork on the ground, speed and
Basic mechanics:
preparation, refined goal setting. Develop from Stage 3. Improve body position. balance. Take off - forward, straight up, going
• Arm movement
Team preparation: ELITE - two or more Develop skills associated with: back. Both sides (left, right hand). Work in the
• Leg movement
training sessions per week; COMMUNITY • Dynamic ruck/mauls, static ruck/mauls air - rotational movement. Ball control and play.
• Ladder work -forward/lateral/backward
- one or two training sessions. • Defending ruck/mauls, e.g. slowing Concentration. Ground work -stance, body
movement
Competition: One match per week. possession, stopping a drive, etc. position. Own ball and competition.
• Hurdle work.
Hours per week: ELITE - 20.5 rugby Supporting the jump: Footwork. Role as front
specific; COMMUNITY - 4-6 hours quality Positional running skills Positional contact skills
support, role as rear support. Different types of
coaching and playing. 11, 14 and 15 - Evasion, pace and timing into Although all players are required to do most
jump. Different styles of ‘lift’. Play after catch -
Planning: Two periods of training with two line, running lines, angle. things, certain positions are required to a little
bringing jumper to ground, blocking options,
periods of competition. 9, 10, 12 and 13 - Evasion in confined spaces, more, e.g. 9 and 15 cover tackling; 10, 12 and
driving options.
defensive line breaking, running lines, angle. 13 front tackle and staying on feet in tackle; 6,
Sweeping play: passing play, securing, driving.
1 - 8 - Evasion in confined spaces, timing into 7 and 8 creating turnovers and side tackles; 1 -
Clearing loose ball.
line, movement to and from tackle, ruck, maul, 5 ball winning ability on ground and close
Positional roles in the lineout.
support running lines, angle. quarter contact skills with/without ball.

10 11
 STAGE 5 MAXIMISING
THE POTENTIAL

5
TRAINING TO WIN CONTACT
18+ Tackling
Make an appropriate tackle -
offensive/defensive/side/rear/front.
All of the athlete’s physical, technical, HANDLING Tackle aggressively, stopping the forward
tactical, mental, and ancillary capacities are movement of an opponent.
now fully established. The focus of training Catching
Catch the ball cleanly from left and right even Resume involvement immediately by regaining
has shifted to the optimisation of
when delivered at an awkward height. feet as quickly as possible.
performance.
Catch the ball cleanly from left and right even Retain possession in the tackle making
Athletes are trained to peak for major when moving near to top speed appropriate decisions in order to make the ball
competitions. available to team mates.
Secures the high/rolling ball under pressure in
both attack and defence. Adopt a suitable position to fulfil a defensive
Where: FE/HE establishments, representative role in conjunction with other team members.
squads, regional & national academies, Passing
national age grade & senior representative Produce accurate and appropriate passes off
sides. right and left hand (pop, soft, spin, switch). SET PIECES
Who: Men: 18+ years, women: 17+ years. Scrum
Produce accurate and appropriate passes off left
Why: High performance. Adopt a body position which enables a clean LINEOUT
and right hand even when moving close to top
speed. strike and channel - 2
Physical: Individual fitness programmes for Throws in straight with timing and speed, which
maintenance and improvement. Adopt a position which enables scrummaging at enables the jumper to win the ball - 2
Technical: Refined core skills - individual RUNNING a preferred height - 1 & 3
Compress and close space - ALL
positional skill development programme. Appropriate positioning to receive the ball with Provide a stable and square scrummage - ALL
Tactical: High degree of decision making, Support the jumper providing a solid platform
width and depth. Adopt a body position which transmits from which the ball can be won - 1 & 3
leadership and game analysis skills. Able to
Adopt running lines which fixes opponents and maximum power to pressure opposition - ALL
adjust tactics and game plan to suit demands Act as sweeper when attempting to get over the
of individual matches. creates space for others. Control the ball at the base of the scrum to gain line - ALL
Mental: Self-motivation and discipline. Run evasively, threatening the opposition with enable best use of the next phase - 8
Mentally strong. Understanding of group Time a jump to outmanoeuvre an opponent in
pace and running skill - swerve sidestep and order to win the ball - JUMPER
dynamics. spin turn. RUCK/MAUL
Team preparation: ELITE - three team Deliver the ball at the appropriate height and
Able to retain the ball in contact by making
training sessions; COMMUNITY - one or two KICKING speed to the scrum half - JUMPER
appropriate decisions in order to make the ball
training sessions.
Achieve optimal distance with kick - finding available to team mates. Time a jump to spoil or win the ball from the
Competition: One match per week.
touch when necessary. Make appropriate decisions when a team mate opposition - JUMPER
Hours per week : ELITE - 22.5 rugby
specific; Kick in attack so that possession is regained or or the opposition have possession - joining or Drives through spaces in the lineout - ALL
COMMUNITY - 6-8 hours quality coaching there is a net gain in territory. staying out.
and playing. Adopt a low body position with a dynamic
Planning: Multiple periods of training and Kick with left and right foot.
forward movement - aiming to stay on feet.
competition - age group dependant. Where and when appropriate start and restart
the game so that the team gains a tactical Support a ball carrier.
advantage. Secures or regains the ball.
12 13
 STAGE 6

6
RECRUIT, RETAIN, RETRAIN,
THROUGHOUT LIFE

Throughout all the stages of the rugby LTAD

model the recruitment, retention and retraining
of players, coaches, referees and administrators
is key to the continuous development of the
game.

Initiatives should be employed to maximise the

recruitment and retention within the game at all
levels. For some, early identification of
individuals by the NGB can mean retention of
talented people within the game.

Where: Wherever the game is played.

Who: Men, women and children of all ages and
abilities.
Why: For the continuous development of the
game at all levels.

Physical: Active.
Technical: Coaching, refereeing and
administration skills.
Tactical: The ability to work within a team.
Mental: Self-motivation.
Team preparation: Once a week / once a
month.
Competition: Making the club the best it can
be.
Hours per week: Indefinable.
Planning: Essential.

14
 Rugby Football Union
Rugby House, Rugby Road
Twickenham TW1 1DS

Tel: 020 8892 2000 Fax: 020 8892 9816

Web: www.rfu.com