Our coaching team, and everything you need for a Thursday session
Six coaches across our two squads, plus the frameworks, checklists and links behind every session plan.
Our coaching team
A head coach for each squad, plus supporting coaches running stations and breakout groups every Thursday.
U10 squad
John
Head Coach U10
Rebecca
U10U12 squad
Chris
Head Coach U12
James
U12
Emma
U12
Caroline
U12The S.T.E.P. framework
If a game is too easy, too hard, or numbers don't fit, adjust one of these rather than abandoning it:
Space
Change the size or shape of the playing area.
Task
Change a rule or the scoring system.
Equipment
Alter the ball, add cones, change the stimulus.
People
Make teams uneven, or give players different roles, to raise or lower the challenge.
Adapted from Scottish Rugby's Saltire Energy Rugby Schools Week resource.
Principles of Play
Every activity in a session can be linked back to one of these — useful for quick coaching points and for the post-session reflection question.
Equipment master list
Covers everything used across Block 1. Individual weeks list exactly what that session needs.
- 🏉 Size 3 rugby balls (min. 6)
- 🔺 Cones (min. 30, 2 colours)
- 🎽 Bibs (2–3 colours, min. 10 each)
- 🛡️ Tackle bags/pads (min. 2)
- 🧘 Crash mat (Weeks 4–5, if available)
- 📣 Whistle
- 🩹 First aid kit
- 💧 Water for players
Before you coach contact
All coaches should have completed relevant training before Week 4 (introducing tackle technique). Free, official resources:
World Rugby eLearning
Rugby Ready and other free modules covering player welfare and safe technique.
world.rugby eLearning ↗Scottish Rugby coach courses
In-person and online coaching qualifications for age-grade and youth coaches.
Scottish Rugby coach courses ↗Concussion — if in doubt, sit them out
Any player with a suspected concussion must not return to play that day. Graduated Return to Play (GRTP), summarised from Scottish Rugby guidance:
| Stage | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete rest | Body & brain rest until symptom-free |
| 2 | Light exercise | Walking, light jogging — no resistance training or hard running |
| 3 | Sport-specific exercise | Simple running drills — no head impact activities |
| 4 | Non-contact practice | More complex training, still no head impact activities |
| 5 | Full contact practice | Normal training including tackling |
| 6 | Return to play | Player rehabilitated |
Under-18s: minimum 14-day rest period, then a 4-stage progression every 48 hours if symptom-free, with medical clearance recommended before Stage 5–6. This is a summary for quick reference — always follow full Scottish Rugby / SRU concussion guidance and involve a qualified first aider or medical professional for any suspected head injury.