Exploring the Trail

Set up

• Scatter cones around a roughly 20 x 20 area.
• Build several coloured gates — two cones of the same colour, about a metre apart.
• Include some red cones laid out as low markers the children can jump over.
• Children start spread around the area, with or without a ball depending on stage.

How to play

1. Children explore the area, moving into space.
2. They move through the coloured gates.
3. They jump safely over the designated red cones.
4. Coach calls a colour and children find that gate.
5. Progress to moving with a rugby ball in two hands.
6. Add simple pass-and-move moments with the coach or a partner.

Coach cues

• “Eyes up.”
• “Find the space.”
• “Two hands on the ball.”
• “Move after your pass.”

Early Years 3–5

More free exploration using colours and imagination. Allow carrying before adding any passing.

KS1 5–7

More purposeful scanning — the coach calls gates, and passing is added to the movement.

Safety

• Leave enough distance between gates.
• Children jump only low, safe markers.
• Avoid congestion — call children into empty space.