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Play Rip Ball and Restart Rugby

Score points by running, passing, and kicking in this rugby-style game that builds teamwork, tactics, and movement skills.

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You’ll need

  • Rugby Ball
  • Cones (or any other object to mark out the playing area)
  • Bibs (or any other way of marking different teams)

Before you begin 

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.   
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely. 
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help. 

Let the experts at your local rugby club run this session for you!

To register interest in your Scout Group being twinned with a local rugby club enter your details using this form.

Planning and setting up this activity

  • Choose a spacious, accessible area and mark out a playing area with cones or other objects.
  • Using cones or markers, create two in goal areas (called try zones) and a halfway line.
  • Check the terrain to make sure it's free of hazards, such steps or rabbit holes. Use cones or tape to mark or block dangers.
  • Check the weather forecast and sunset time to make sure there’ll be sufficient light throughout.
  • Ask everyone to tie long hair back, and remove any jewellery, watches and so on before playing.
  • Remind everyone to bring a drink and wear long sleeves, long trousers and trainers.
  • Read our guidance on running wide games and active games safely.

Play Rip Ball 

  1. Gather everyone together and explain that you’ll be playing a game called Rip Ball.  
  2. The aim of the game is to score points by touching the ball down over the try line at the end of a rectangular pitch. 
  3. Ask everyone to get into two teams. You’ll need attackers and defenders. If you’ve got lots of players, you can rotate teams or allow for substitutions. 
  4. To start, one team begins with the ball, while the other defends. Attackers can run with the ball until they are touched by a defender. A touch must be made gently and below the line of the armpit.
  5. Once touched, the ball carrier must stop immediately. A supporting player from the same team (the nearest teammate) performs a rip - they take the ball from the ball carrier and then either run or pass. 
  6. The player who makes the rip must pass the ball within two steps. To make it harder, you could require that the ripper must pass backwards in the direction away from the try line. 
  7. Defenders must position themselves between the ball and the try line they are protecting. They can’t grab the ball or tackle, but they can touch to stop the ball carrier and intercept passes. 
  8. A point is scored when a player successfully touches the ball down over the try line.
  9. When you’re ready to play, run a quick warm-up to get everyone moving and ready. 
  10. At the end, make sure to run a cool down to help everyone stretch and recover. 
  11. Once you have got the hang of this move on and try Restart Rugby 

Play Restart Rugby Ball 

  1. Gather everyone together and explain that you’ll be playing Restart Rugby.  
  2. The aim of the game is to score points by touching the ball down over the try line at the end of a rectangular pitch. 
  3. Ask everyone to get into two teams. One team will start with the ball and the other will defend. If you’ve got lots of players, you can rotate teams or allow for substitutions. 
  4. To start, the game begins with a kick-off. This can be kicked from the floor like in football or out of the hand. The kick must travel at least 5 metres. After a team scores, they restart the game with another kick-off from the centre. 
  5. Attackers can run with the ball until they are touched by a defender below the line of the armpit. Once touched, the ball carrier must stop. A supporting player from the attacking team performs a rip (they take the ball from the ball carrier) and must pass backwards within 3 steps. 
  6. Each team has 7 phases to score. A phase is counted every time a defender touches a ball carrier. After 7 phases, possession is turned over to the other team, who then have 7 phases to try and score. 
  7. When a defender makes a touch, two defenders must form a Tackle Triangle: 
    • The defender who made the touch stands where the touch was made. 
    • Two new defenders stand behind the tackler and place their outside hand on the tacklers shoulder to form a Tackle Triangle. 
    • The attacking team cannot play the ball until the tackle triangle is formed. 
  8. Once the triangle is formed, the attacking player with the ball can pass to a team mate or call FREEZE and kick the ball. 
  9. If the attacker calls FREEZE players must stop moving. The attacker then takes a kick to restart play. The aim is to give the attacker space and time to make a tactical kick. If the ball goes out of play, possession is turned over and restarted with a pass from the sideline. 
  10. When you’re ready to play, run a quick warm-up to get everyone moving and ready. 
  11. At the end, make sure to run a cool down to help everyone stretch and recover. 

Reflection

This activity was all about learning how to restart play in rugby and working as a team to move the ball and score. How did you find the game? What did you enjoy and what went well? Was it similar to other rugby-style games you’ve played?  

You may have had to pass quickly, form a tackle triangle, or decide when to kick, what was that like? 

You also had to think tactically. How did your team work together to use space or time your passes and kicks? Did you communicate well and support each other?  

This game was designed to feel more like real rugby. Did it help you understand the rules better? Has it made you more confident or interested in trying rugby again in the future? 

 

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Contact games and activities

Make sure everyone understands what contact is acceptable, and monitor contact throughout the activity.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

  • To make this activity more challenging, allow attackers to play the ball without waiting for the tackle triangle to be formed. Encourage them to think about the tactical advantages this might offer, such as quicker ball movement, catching defenders off guard, or creating space for scoring opportunities.
  • To make this activity easier, allow attackers more time to complete the rip and pass, or remove the requirement to pass within two steps. You could also simplify the rules around the tackle triangle, or let players retry a rip if they make a mistake. Encourage teams to focus on communication and positioning rather than speed or precision.

This activity can be adapted to suit a wide range of abilities. Players can take part at walking pace, and roles can be rotated to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Clear visual and verbal instructions should be used throughout. The game can be modified to reduce physical contact and simplify rules, making it suitable for mixed-ability groups, including SEND learners. Support staff or peer buddies can assist with positioning and movement where needed.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Scouts Physical Recreation Activity Badge

If you enjoyed this activity, try some of our other RFU activities.