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Try T1 Rugby

Score by passing, ripping, and kicking in this structured rugby 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.

Running this activity 

  1. Gather everyone together and explain that you’ll be playing a game called T1 Rugby. You could start by asking if anyone remembers the tackle triangle or rip pass from previous sessions, and what they found helpful.
  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 have lots of players, you can rotate teams or allow substitutions.
  4. The game begins with a kick-off from the centre of the pitch. The kick can be taken from the ground (like in football) or from the hand, but it must travel at least five 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 armpit. Once touched, the ball carrier must stop. A supporting attacker then performs a rip, taking the ball from the carrier and passing backwards within three steps.
  6. Each team has seven phases to score. A phase is counted every time a defender touches a ball carrier. After seven phases, possession is turned over to the other team, who then have seven phases to try and score.
  7. When a defender makes a touch, two defenders must form a tackle triangle by placing their outside arms on the shoulders of the defender who made the touch. The next phase cannot begin until the triangle is formed. If defenders are offside or the triangle isn’t formed correctly, possession is turned over.
  8. If the ball is dropped or knocked forward, the first team to form a 3-player scrum wins possession. The player putting the ball in must pass it away from the base of the scrum, they cannot run with it directly. The defending team must stay behind the scrum until the ball is passed. 
  9. If the ball goes out of play on the sideline, possession is turned over and restarted with a lineout from the point where it went out. 
  10. To do a line out: 
    • Three players from each team stand one metre apart, facing the sideline.
    • The ball is passed in from the point it went out of play.
    • The receiving team must be ready to catch and continue play, while the defending team may contest the ball.
  11. If the ball goes near the sideline but not out, the referee may award possession to the opposition and restart with a lineout.
  12. When you’re ready to play, run a quick warm-up to get everyone moving and ready. 
  13. At the end, make sure to run a cool down to help everyone stretch and recover. 

skills to progress

Add a scrum to replace the Tackle Triangle 

  • Three players from each team stand side by side and facing the opposition three players about and arm’s length distance apart. 
  • Players on the outside put their hands on the shoulder of the player opposite. 
  • A player from the team in possession rolls the ball into the middle of the two lines. 
  • Uncontested, the team in control of the ball uses their feet to roll the ball back through their legs where it is collected by the person who rolled it in. 
  • They then pass the ball to a supporting player. 

Reflection

T1 Rugby helped players develop key skills like passing, supporting teammates, and understanding structured phases of play. The rip and tackle triangle encouraged teamwork and communication, while the kick-off and lineout added variety and challenge. Players had to think tactically and respond quickly to changes in possession, making the game both active and engaging. How does it feel putting all of these skills together?  

The activity also introduced more formal rugby elements like scrums and lineouts in a simplified way. These moments gave players a chance to practise coordination and positioning. Overall, the game supported learning through movement and teamwork, while offering opportunities to build confidence and explore rugby-style play in a fun, inclusive environment.  

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.

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.

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.

  • To make this activity easier, you could allow more time for players to pass after a rip, simplify the tackle triangle formation, reduce the number of defenders, or let players roll the ball instead of kicking. You could also remove the lineout and restart from a simple pass. 
  • To make this activity harder, you could limit the number of steps before passing, enforce strict tackle triangle and offside rules, reduce the number of phases before turnover, or require accurate kicks.  

T1 Rugby can be adapted to suit a range of abilities and group sizes. Rules around passing, tackle triangles, scrums, and lineouts can be simplified or modified to support different learning needs. The game can be played at walking pace, and roles can be rotated to ensure everyone has a chance to participate. Visual demonstrations and peer support can help make the activity more inclusive.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Scouts Physical Recreation Activity Badge
Explorers Sports and Fitness Activity Badge

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