Camelot U9 (School Year 4)
Our goal is to ignite a passion for rugby in your children by creating a fun and engaging environment. We value every child equally and ensure they all fall in love with the game. Alongside our exciting regular training sessions, we participate in matches and tournaments against other clubs.
Want to give it a TRY? Bring your young teenager for a free session on a Sunday morning!
Join a vibrant and friendly group dedicated to the joy of rugby and the thrill of learning new skills. We meet every Sunday and train during the season, either at Camelot or at other clubs for festivals and joint training sessions. Rugby is fantastic for young people, helping to build their fitness, resilience, teamwork, and discipline.
All new players are welcome—no experience needed! For more information, please contact us.
Our Squad Ethos
Promote enjoyment of rugby to all U9s of whatever ability, seeking to improve technical skills and performance at every level.
Our Goals for the Season
To play to the best of our abilities, to improve our individual & teamwork skills but most of all, to have fun!
Under 9's Junior Development Pathway
Age Group: Under 9’s
LTAD Stage: Fundamental
Train/ Match: Mini
Window of Optimal Trainability (Focus of athletic training)
Movement FUNdamentals, ABCs (Agility, Balance & Coordination)
Speed
Flexibility
Strength – Only using bodyweight
Overall Coaching Approach
Safety (with Introduction of Tackling)
Keep it Fun!
Concentrate on Skills development from previous years. Adding tackling as a new skill
Let it flow but ensure safety always
Develop correct/safe tackle technique which requires a great deal of coaching/time
Participation through varied Games for ALL abilities
Coach through questions and Keep it concise & positive (SPF)
Keep them active (Max 30 seconds listening time only)
Players to run with the ball (two hands) and evade defenders and be creative
Player Capacities
(Consolidate and develop previous age skills)
Consolidate & Develop Individual skills / Intro to new skills / cont. Develop tackling (Key element / safety)
Evasion
- Swerve & dodge / change of pace
- Always go forward to space
Handling skills
- Lateral Pass (both hands)/ Decision making (2v1 & 3v2)
- Pick & Pass and Sweep Pass
Contact Skills
- Introduction of tackling (Front & Side) – SAFELY – Build Confidence slowly
- Falling and placing the ball – long and jack knife presentations
- Pop up pass from ground.
- Getting back on your feet to re-join game (Quickly)
Continuity
- Re-alignment / support running & passing
- Defensive lines
Laws / Ethics
- Knowledge of Mini laws
- Pass backwards / Offside / Scoring (Players may dive to score)
- Introduction of tackle rules (Both defence and attack)
The GAME
- Be aware of law variations
Principles (Team play)
- Continuity – maintain possession / Communication (encourage verbal skills)
- Decision making – allow them to explore various game scenarios and their outcomes
- Vision – Create/be aware of space and how to use it.
- Formation – Different types of attack / defence formations based on what player sees
- Agility
- Awareness of body space
- Balance – Static & dynamic
- Co-ordination and manipulation
- Speed, Power & Endurance
- Tolerance
- Focus and concentration
- Positive response to discipline & structure (Particularly given the introduction of Tackling)
- Self-control, balancing personal needs / wants with others
- Self-expression
Law Variations- Under 8’s
Players per side: 7
Max pitch size: 60 x 30
Minutes per half: 15
Max game time per day: 60
Additional variations: 60
Coaching tips: Referee & coach with slightly more intervention, especially around the breakdown (Tackle safety). Still free flowing in open play.