Introduction & Foundations
What we're covering tonight
First session of the year. High energy, fun — everyone touches the ball. We'll introduce lineouts (new at U14 this season) and cover the core body position that underpins everything forwards do. Backs work on passing fundamentals and running lines. The whole squad comes together for Lineout Touch.
Session theme: Introduction & Foundations — Welcome back, Stormers.
What to ask your son tonight
Tonight sets the tone for the whole season. We focus on character as much as rugby skills — how players support each other, respond to mistakes, and grow as a team.
Ask him: "Did you back your teammates tonight?" — not just "did you score?"
Season Plan 2026/27
First game: 21 September. Click any Game Zone name to watch the video.
| Wk | Date | Phase | Forwards | Backs | Full Team Game Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 Aug | Pre-season | Body position, lineout intro | Passing fundamentals | Lineout Touch ▶ |
| 2 | 1 Sep | Pre-season | CBS, 3-man lineout | Running lines, depth & width | Two Touch ▶ |
| 3 | 8 Sep | Pre-season | Full scrum unit, maul intro | 9-10 combination | Turnover Touch ▶ |
| 4 | 15 Sep | Pre-season | Set piece confidence | Decision making | Scrum Touch w/ No.8 ▶ |
| 5 | 22 Sep | Early season | Post-game review | Post-game review | Lineout Touch ▶ |
| 6 | 29 Sep | Early season | Set piece accuracy | Attacking patterns | Wizard Touch ▶ |
| 7 | 6 Oct | Early season | Breakdown dominance | Kicking intro | Turnover Touch ▶ |
| 8 | 13 Oct | Early season | Defensive forwards | Defensive alignment | Mind the Gap ▶ |
| 9 | 20 Oct | Mid season | Patterns from set piece | Backline shape | American Football Touch ▶ |
| 10 | 27 Oct | Half-term | Fun scrum games | Fun passing games | Beat the Square ▶ |
| 11 | 3 Nov | Mid season | Under fatigue | Decision making under pressure | Minute Maul ▶ |
| 12 | 10 Nov | Peak | Peak performance | Full backline patterns | Scrum Touch w/ No.8 ▶ |
| 13 | 17 Nov | Late season | Individual focus | Individual focus | Wizard Touch ▶ |
| 14 | 24 Nov | Sharpen | Sharpen for fixtures | Sharpen for fixtures | Turnover Touch ▶ |
| 15 | 1 Dec | Tune-up | Confidence only | Confidence only | Tackles Make Friends ▶ |
| 16 | 8 Dec | End of season | Let them play | Let them play | Beat the Square ▶ |
Our Values
Better people make better rugby players.
Back Each Other
When it's hard, when it's cold, when you're losing — your teammate is never alone.
No Sulking
Control what you can control. Your reaction is always your choice. Attitude is contagious — make it positive. You come off, you become the best training partner on the sideline.
No One is Bigger Than the Team
The jersey was worn before you and it'll be worn after you. Sweep the sheds. Pack cones. Help someone up. Nobody here is above the team.
Do Your Job
Whatever role you've been given — own it completely. Every rep, every drill, every game. No one's too good for the basics.
Grow Together
Our success is not how many tries the best player scores. It's how much better the whole squad is in April than it was in August.
Tell the Truth
Say what needs saying. Hear what needs hearing. "My fault" when it's yours. Honest feedback beats comfortable silence.
Hard But Fair
Go hard. Compete. Don't back down. But no cheap-shots, no bullying. The no dickheads rule — on the pitch and off it.
Get Better Every Week
You don't have to be perfect. You have to be better. Physical advantages disappear. Skill, intelligence and character last.
How you can help
Ask "Did you back your teammates tonight?" — not just "did you score?" Notice and praise effort and attitude, not just results. The goal isn't a trophy. It's a team that's proud of how they played and who they became.
Drill Library
All sourced from RFU, NZ Rugby Toolbox & World Rugby Passport.
Player Safety Bear Crawl Tig
Body position warm-up — low athletic stance, spatial awareness
Hungry Hippos
Body position, support play — competitive and high energy (39K views)
Crab Football
Low body posture, movement in contact position (21K views)
Build into Scrum 1v1
Individual scrum body position and engagement — the starting point (35K views)
Building the 5 Person Scrum
Front 5 scrum — adding locks to front row (55K views)
Neil Hatley — Scrum Engagement (CBS)
Crouch-Bind-Set sequence from England's scrum coach
Managing Contact
Ball carry position, body position at contact, ball presentation (27K views)
NZR Scrum Factory — Crouch Bind Set
Complete CBS sequence from NZ Rugby Toolbox — Grant Henson
NZR Lineout Activities — Greg Feek
All Blacks lineout coach — unit skills and throwing technique
Principles of Play — Go Forward
Carry, gain line, forward momentum — for backs and forwards
Principles of Play — Support
Support runners, timing runs, depth and width in attack
Principles of Play — Continuity
Ball recycling, keeping possession through contact
Lineout Touch
Lineout as a restart in touch rugby — key for introducing lineouts (6.6K views)
Two Touch
Running, passing, support lines — two touches before pass required
Wizard Touch
Support, evasion, spatial awareness — high energy (36K views)
Turnover Touch
Ruck, breakdown and turnover in a game — attack and defence combined (19K views)
Mind the Gap
Defensive patterns, gap recognition, defensive line (17K views)
Scrum Touch with No.8
Scrum awareness with No.8 pick-and-go in game context (29K views)
Minute Maul
Maul technique in game context — binding, driving, continuity (16K views)
American Football Touch
Contact awareness, spatial play, decision making under pressure
Beat the Square
Running, kicking, catching, passing — Game Zone/Skill Zone intro (RFU)
Tackles Make Friends
Contact + values — trust and connection between players (17K views)
Interceptors
Defensive communication, body position, line speed