Any forum users have any history of involvement with Unders 7s rugby in the town? The little 'un wants to start, but from what she's been exposed to at School, I'm not impressed. Under 7s playing football are being taught the Cruyff turn, while at the kids taking rugby at the school they haven't been taught to pass a ball! Just been given a ball, split into two teams and left to figure out the rest themselves. I know not every club has a team at every age group, but of those that do, is it any better and worthwhile taking her down?

Your best bet is to ask Geordie.

Crosfields have un under 7s side taught by a young lad that has played the game so has some experience.

The kids are taught all of the core skills of rugby through small and fun games in a friendly enviroment. We currently have about 8 - 10 kids in the team and are on the look out for more. They have played 2 or 3 games upto now against other new sides and will be going into and playing weekly games as from September. Definatley worthwhile bringing her down and letting her give it a try, I can guarantee she will be taught to pass and to carry the ball correctly

If you want any more details then send me a PM

My lad went to a local Club Last year after he turned 6 I could only cope with it for about 6 weeks..... at the age of 6 the first requirement of a kid new to the sport surely must me Ball Handling......and nothing else.....I was amazed to see Defensive line drills - all screaming "set" and "in"..! side stepping poles/cones, fitness drills....and all other skills that I felt where too advanced for 6/7 year olds.
They then play a game of touch and its all one man rugby because they havent been taught to pass when running.

Like I said Ball Handling first and foremost, catch and pass then catch and pass while running. thats all i do with my lad in the garden and on the park ...I have him running on to the ball like a young mark roberts.

maybe I'm like Cullen and we'll get round to defence another time..

Shouldn't the emphasis at that age be about having fun? Not being disciplined to Super League standard.

Its all about having fun with a little bit of competition in games as kids are naturally competetive.

You need a broad spectrum even from that early age however young / new coaches get hung up on needing to win on a Sunday morning hence the kids being shouted at to perform and working on defensive lines at 7 years old. Coaches who have gone through the ranks once or twice will see that winning games at 7-12 means nothing and develop the core skills of the game as described above.

Look for a club with a coach that plays games and develops core skills through fun, talk to him about his philosiphy as you will be amazed by some of the replies.

I think Ive found the reason for the pathetic teaching she has been getting. In many schools, even in the north of england Rugby is just an afterthought to the sports curriculum. Many school wont even play it on health & safety grounds.

Watching the schools rugby at the HJ its obvious that the teams still in the comp are those that can at least move the ball, not just "give it to xxxx and let them run around until they are caught, or until they manage to cross the line". If she likes rugby, take her down to one of the rugby clubs like those mentioned

Or take her down to mini-league at Bank Park on Sunday mornings 10-11am and only costs £1. It will give her a taster and then she can decide if she wants to go to a club later on. www.wolvesfoundation.com/sport.p ... =7#article

Or take her down to mini-league at Bank Park on Sunday mornings 10-11am and only costs £1. It will give her a taster and then she can decide if she wants to go to a club later on. www.wolvesfoundation.com/sport.p ... =7#article

Why not bring them down to Burtonwood Bulldogs U7s; we have just started back and already have good numbers ready for the start of the season. The team is being coached by my good self at the moment and you will find the Burtonwood club a really fun, informal club without the politics and expectations that seem to weigh down junior sport!

Training is tonight (Wednesday) at 6.15pm on the Burtonwood rugby fields. All very welcome. The age range is for Reception and Y1.

hi we at latchford albion u7s have been training nd playing in friendlies for around 6 months now.we train on vicky park 6/7 tuesday and 1130/1230 saturday.the main emphasis we put on the children is to enjoy it and always have a smile on your face.they are taught the basic handling and tackling skills and we intoduce different skill etc at varios stages and the kids seem to thrive with a bit of a challenge but i agree the fun is taken out of the game in some places

Do you see that as a good or a bad thing?

I'm not sure tbh, but I see it as a sign that there is more effort going into it the coaching. I didn't mean for my OP to come across as overly critical as it has, and reading it back it sounds much worse than I meant it. I just think that the kids shouldn't be expected to learn things by osmosis. Simply being on a pitch isn't going to teach them. I'd like to see fun little drills where they develop their handling skills without really realising what they are doing. For instance, a game of ball-tag, where they need to have the ball in two hands. A pretty basic rugby skill, but they are getting used to doing so in a manner not nessercarliy overly competitive and advanced.

FWIW, anybody who gives their time to coach has my respect, the majority do it on a voluntary basis and for the right reasons. I just think there needs to be clearer structures of what the kids are doing at that age.

No problems. I didn't take it as negative. I coach a girls football team and I was interested in your view. The bit I've quoted above is spot on in my view.

i think that children must enjoy playing and taking part to begin.i feel as a coach you owe to any children you are coaching to teach correctly.i am a firm beleiver the more fun at u7s level you make it learning drills etc the more positive the children are a react as such.if you make all the drills regimental i think you get less input with them.i feel sometimes the "winning" at all cost mentality seen at some games is a disservice to the kids and have found a few teams by the time the kids are 10/11 dont want to play anymore.to see any child over a period of time improve and blossom is reward enough for me and tink thats the only approach you should have at this level

Yeah, the round ball code has the FA Long Term Player Development Strategy which has the result of matches as the least important element. The only problem is the most competitive ones are .... the children. They want to win at all costs!