To learn rugby quickly and correctly, start with catching, passing backwards and running into space—not tackling. Rugby union is a team game in which players carry the ball towards the opposing goal line while passing it sideways or backwards to teammates. A beginner can understand those ideas through non-contact tag or touch rugby before learning the more demanding contact game. This eduKateSG Quick Notes lesson explains the simple actions, rules and safety habits that make rugby easier to learn from the start.
- Hold the ball securely: carry it with both hands when preparing to pass.
- Pass sideways or backwards: an ordinary forward throw is not allowed in rugby union.
- Run into open space: move forwards with the ball when there is a safe gap.
- Support the ball carrier: stay in a position to receive a legal pass.
- Begin without contact: practise tag or touch rugby with a coach before considering tackles.
- Learn the objective: a try is scored by grounding the ball legally in the opponents’ in-goal area.
First, learn catching and passing. Stand a few metres from a partner, hold your hands in front and watch the ball arrive. Cushion the catch and hold it in two hands near your midsection. When passing, rotate your upper body gently towards a teammate positioned level with or behind you and guide the ball in that direction. Practise both left and right. The key fact is that your pass may go across the field or backwards, but not towards the opponents’ goal line. This makes good positioning essential: the receiver often needs to begin behind the ball carrier.
Second, combine the pass with forward movement. The ball carrier can run towards the opposing goal line if the way ahead is clear. Rather than standing flat in a line, supporting players run slightly behind and to the side so they can receive a legal pass. Look at the field before you accelerate. If a tag defender moves towards the carrier, a correctly timed pass to an available teammate may keep the attack moving. Practise walking the pattern before attempting a jogging speed. The goal is to make a sensible decision, not to throw the ball as far as possible.
Third, learn safe defending and game awareness through non-contact play. In tag rugby, a defender removes a fabric tag from a belt according to the agreed rules; in touch rugby, a controlled touch replaces a tackle. Each modified version has its own rules, so a coach should explain the format. Do not attempt tackles, scrums, rucks or mauls just because you watched them on television. Those parts of contact rugby need age-appropriate coaching, physical preparation, supervision and correct technique.
Worked example: run forwards, pass backwards
Mark a broad, empty corridor with cones. Three learners stand staggered, with one ball carrier slightly ahead. At a walking pace, the carrier moves forwards and passes sideways or backwards to a supporting teammate. The receiver catches, continues towards the target and passes to the third learner, who has remained in a legal supporting position. Run the sequence in both directions. Add a passive tag defender only after everyone can catch and pass without collisions.
Check the sequence: Did the ball travel sideways or backwards on each pass? Was the receiver ready and looking? Did the group move forwards together? If the pass goes ahead of the carrier, slow down and adjust the receiver’s starting position.
A 20-minute non-contact beginner rugby lesson
- Minutes 1–3: warm up with gentle jogging, side steps and shoulder movement; check the playing surface.
- Minutes 4–7: practise secure two-handed catches and short passes in both directions.
- Minutes 8–11: walk forwards while passing to a teammate running slightly behind.
- Minutes 12–15: practise choosing an open passing lane while one defender merely shadows the carrier.
- Minutes 16–19: try a small, supervised tag game with clear boundaries and adapted rules.
- Minute 20: cool down and explain one good pass and one correct movement into space.
These times are a teaching example, not a performance test. If the group loses control of the ball, return to walking passes. Non-contact games should remain genuinely non-contact; do not let them become informal tackling sessions.
Rugby union rules in plain English
- Direction of passing: the ball must not be thrown forwards towards the opposing dead-ball line.
- Running: the ball carrier can run towards the opponents’ goal line.
- Knock-on: when the ball is lost forwards from the hand or arm in a way covered by the Law, play is normally stopped.
- Try: legally grounding the ball in the opponents’ in-goal area scores five points in rugby union.
- Conversion: a successful conversion kick after a try adds two points.
- Other scoring: a successful penalty goal or drop goal is worth three points.
- Offside: a player’s position and involvement in play can make them offside; do not assume every player may chase the ball from anywhere.
- Contact phases: the tackle, ruck and maul have detailed laws and safety requirements; beginners should learn these only with trained coaching.
These are rugby union principles. Rugby league and modified forms such as tag, touch and sevens have different rules. For the official, current laws and beginner modifications, read World Rugby: Laws of the Game and its Beginner’s Guide. The 2026 Rugby Union laws are the reference for formal games in 2026.
Why a backwards pass can move a team forwards
The most surprising part of rugby is that the ball carrier wants to advance but must usually pass sideways or backwards. Imagine three students running towards the far goal line. Student A carries the ball forwards. Defender D steps towards A. Student B, running slightly behind and to the side, receives a backwards pass and continues into the free space. The team has advanced because the players ran forwards even though the pass went backwards. Once you see this difference, many rugby decisions become easier.
How to hold and pass the ball
Keep both hands on the rugby ball when preparing to pass. Watch your receiver before turning your shoulders and guiding the ball across your body. Practise a short smooth pass before attempting a spinning pass. Good passes are catchable: they arrive at a comfortable height and at the right moment. A hard spiral that flies past the intended player is not a better pass than a simple one that can be caught. Alternate your passing side so you can support teammates in both directions.
Safety comes before contact
- Begin with non-contact play: a coach can teach spacing, passing, and safe changes of direction without tackles.
- No uncoached tackling: legal tackle height, technique and age-group restrictions require specialised instruction.
- No improvised scrums or rucks: these are coached contact situations, not beginner warm-up games.
- Use appropriate equipment: wear footwear suited to the surface and follow the organisation’s safety requirements.
- Stop after a knock or concerning symptoms: potential concussion requires removal from play and proper medical assessment, not a quick return.
- Keep the area clear: avoid high-speed running towards walls, fences or bystanders.
Common mistakes and their repairs
- Throwing the ball forwards: reposition the receiver level with or behind the carrier.
- Waiting directly in front of the carrier: move into a supporting lane where a legal pass is possible.
- Running without looking up: scan for defenders and open space before accelerating.
- Passing too hard: shorten the distance and throw a softer, catchable ball.
- Trying a tackle in a tag game: obey the non-contact format and let the coach restart play.
- Standing still after passing: move into a new supporting position.
- Comparing beginner play with professional collisions: practise skill, rules and safety first.
Your short self-test
- Can you explain why a team may run forwards but should pass sideways or backwards?
- Can your group complete five gentle moving passes without losing balance or entering another player’s path?
- Can you name two things that must not be improvised in a beginner non-contact rugby session?
These checks are not official certification. A correct explanation of the passing rule, safe non-contact communication and repeatable catches is a better first step than maximum speed or physical contact.
Two questions and answers
Question 1: Your teammate is running directly ahead of you. Can you throw a normal forward pass to them in rugby union? Answer: No. You need a different supporting position or another legal way to advance.
Question 2: A beginner wants to try a full tackle after a five-minute tag game. What is the appropriate response? Answer: Continue non-contact practice and learn contact only through a properly supervised, age-appropriate coaching programme.
What correct progress looks like
You are improving when your passes consistently reach a supporting runner, you recognise useful space and you can explain how the team gains territory. Rugby becomes easier when a learner understands each decision before adding speed. Start with non-contact play, and let a qualified coach decide when more advanced skills are appropriate.
Where to go next
Continue with Field Hockey, Baseball and Ultimate Frisbee. The eduKateSG teaching reference is Secondary 1 Mathematics Tutor Clementi | Small Groups Tutorials; its original content remains unchanged.