FUNdamentals STAGE 1,

SPORTING DEVELOPMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS - U7-U9

This page is based on the RFU LTAD Booklet. You can download the pdf document on the Free Download section of my website.

The FUNdamental stage has to be well structured and fun! The emphasis is on fundamental movement skills, and the ABCs of athleticism (Agility, Balance, Coordination, Speed), the ABCs of athletics (running, throwing and jumping) and the KGBs of movement (Kinaesthesia, Gliding, Buoyancy, Striking).
Participation in as many sports as possible is encouraged - if possible three or four times per week.

Primary school PE, rugby clubs, multi-skill clubs.

6 - 8 years.

To capture the magic.

General physical literacy - develop the ABCs of movement - Agility, Balance, Co-ordination and Speed.
Athleticism in running ,jumping and jumping.

Ball acquaintance passing, catching, evading.

Fun games developing spacial awareness and working together as a team.

Introduction to the Laws of the Game, the rules of modified versions and the ethics of playing sport.

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Playing and training to the appropriate rules.

Five hours per week across different sporting activities (including PE or games at school, sidestep, spin and change of pace.

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HANDLING
Catching

• High, low and one handed using different shaped balls from a variety of heights and speeds.

Passing

• Using a variety of styles (one, two hands or overarm and underarm) types, lengths of pass in different directions.

Basic ball control

• Individual ball skills, e.g. picking up, putting down, ‘basketball’type ball manipulation, etc.

Co-ordination

• Hand to eye co-ordination, e.g. catching tennis ball, etc.

RUNNING

• Hopping - left and right foot.
• Leaping - Height and length.
• Jumping - Height and length off both standing start and running start.
• Balance - On both feet.
• Evasion skills - swerve, sidestep, spin and change of pace.

KICKING
Basic ball control

• Individual ball skills with the feet e.g. "football kick-ups', dribbling, etc.
  

CONTACT
Basic body management skills

• Including rolling and falling (contact with the ground).

Personal conditioning

• Including bending, stretching, twisting and turning (basic body movement).
• Own body resistance.
• Contact preparation.

Managing the ball in the tackle

• Contact with other players, including bumping grappling, pushing and pulling (judo type things).
• Introduction to contact, including tackle progressions, ball presentation and basic ruck and maul coaching.

SET PIECES
Line out

• Jumping: Reinforcement of technique. Development of explosive movement, with increased weight training knowledge.
• Supporting: Introduction of safe supporting techniques in line out (coaching only).
• Throwing: Reinforcement of technique. Practice to vary height, speed and distance of delivery.

Introduction of scrums

• Allow all players to experience the scrum.
• Basic techniques: body position, feet position, binding and putting in/strike.

Relevant topics

• LTAD Model explained
• The different stages in more detail: Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6
• The Free Download section

Copyright, 27-10-2006