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Physical Education

Tag Rugby

Overview

Children play tag rugby — carry the ball to score, pass backward to avoid being tagged, no tackling.

Learning Objective
Children develop passing and running skills through a simplified non-contact version of rugby.

Resources needed

  • Ball or tied cloth ball
  • Cloth strips as tags (one per player)
  • Marked pitch with two try lines

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Each player tucks a cloth strip into their waistband as a tag.
  2. 2 Carry the ball and run toward the opponent's try line.
  3. 3 If your tag is taken, stop and pass to a teammate.
  4. 4 Pass must go sideways or backward — not forward.
  5. 5 Score by touching the ball down over the try line.
  6. 6 Defenders take tags rather than tackling — no contact.
  7. 7 Play for 3 minutes, then swap attack and defence.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Two tags each — both must be taken before stopping.
  • Add a 'restart' rule: after a tag, defender steps back 3 metres.
  • Smaller teams (3v3) for more touches per player.
More information

Teach: carry, pass, tag, try, backward, score. The most important rule to repeat: pass goes backward, never forward.

Reduce the playing area for children who find running long distances difficult. Walk-only version works well for beginners.

Are children passing quickly after being tagged rather than holding the ball? Is the pass going sideways or backward consistently?

Cloth strips as tags cost nothing. A tied cloth ball works for passing. Mark the try lines with sticks or stones.

Children instinctively pass forward toward the try line. Reinforce the backward pass rule clearly — demonstrate the direction every time it happens.

Tag rugby develops all the fundamental skills of the game without the injury risk of tackling. It is played worldwide in school PE programmes.

Activity details
Primary Medium 25 minutes 5 minutes prep Whole Class, Small Group Outdoor
Topics
Tag Rugby Running Passing