🏉 Under 8s & Under 10s Training – Catterick Crusaders

This week our Under 8s and Under 10s focused on one of the most important foundations of rugby: defence. The coaches built the session step‑by‑step to help the players understand positioning, teamwork, and discipline, all while keeping it fun and full of energy.

🔥 Warming Up With Bulldog

We kicked things off with a lively game of Bulldog. This wasn’t just to get the players moving, it also helped the coaches see how quickly the children reacted to the call of “bulldog” and how they adjusted their movement under pressure. The players loved it, and it set the tone for a high‑energy session.

✋ Two‑Hand Touch & Defensive Thinking

The game then progressed into two‑hand touch, encouraging the players to start thinking about where they should be in defence. This helped them understand spacing and how to track an attacker without overcommitting.

🤝 Hunting in Pairs

Next, the players worked in pairs, holding hands and moving together. This simple activity encouraged communication, teamwork, and staying connected. Which is key skills for maintaining a strong defensive line.

🎽 Tag Belts & Free Play

Tag belts were introduced next, and the players were given five minutes of free play with no coaching input. This allowed them to play naturally, make decisions on their own, and show what they understood without prompts.

🟦 Channel Defence

The pitch was then divided into narrow channels, each no wider than five metres. Two defenders were placed in each channel and had to stay within their zone, while attackers could move freely.

This exercise helped the players learn:

• Discipline — staying in their area

• Awareness — trusting teammates to cover their own channels

• Shape — avoiding the common habit of chasing the ball and leaving gaps

🏉 Finishing Strong

We wrapped up with a conditioned tag game, reinforcing everything learned: staying in shape, holding the line, and working together.

🌟 A Huge Well Done to All Players

Every single player showed brilliant enthusiasm and effort. They listened well, answered questions confidently, and showed real determination throughout the session. We’re incredibly proud of how they’re developing, and we can’t wait to see how much they grow over the next few weeks.

👋 Want to Get Involved?

If your child is interested in joining the Catterick Crusaders family, please get in touch. We’d love to welcome new players and help them build confidence, skills, and friendships through rugby.