JUNIOR TOUCH BASICS

level 1 & 2
• Catch..................................................................... 2

• Carry..................................................................... 3

• Passing (orthodox)................................................ 4

• Effecting the Touch (When in Possession)............ 5

• Roll Ball................................................................. 6

• Acting Half............................................................ 7

• Tap Off – Penalty................................................... 7

• Defending.............................................................. 8

• General.................................................................. 9

• Two Man Rucking............................................... 10

• Two Man Rucking (Option).................................. 11

• Three Man Rucking............................................. 12

• Spiral Pass.......................................................... 13

• Wrap.................................................................... 14

• Switch................................................................. 15

• Rope Defence..................................................... 16

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Junior Touch Basics page 1
 Catch
1 Forearms up and in front,
with elbows bent.

2 Call for the ball from the passer.

3 Eyes should have view of

passer’s hands and the ball.
1

4 Present Target to passer -

hands with fingers facing up
and thumbs and first fingers
making a (W) with space
between thumbs.
Hands should be relaxed
forming the shape of the ball.

5 Turn upper body towards ball,

be relaxed. Watch ball all of the
way into hands. Receive and
carry ball in front of chest.
4

6 When catching on the move,

foot farthest from the passer
should be forward as ball is
received. (This allows for the
upper body to rotate and face
the Passer) Refer to 5 also.

Junior Touch Basics page 2

 Carry
1 Thumbs should spread over the
top two panels of the ball.

2 Fingers spread gripping bottom

two panels

1 3 Hold ball firmly in the middle.

4 Carry ball in the 12 o’clock /

6 o’clock position – i.e. one
end facing up and the
other facing the ground.

5 Arms should be bent at the

elbow, carry the ball about
sternum position away from
the chest.

6 Carrying in this position allows

4 you to keep your options open.

You are in position to pass in
either direction and also ready
to make a touch with either
hand. This carry also creates
uncertainty among defenders
as they are not sure which
option will be taken.

7 When effecting the touch, place

ball on chest with opposite
fingers, thumb and forearm
gripping and protecting the

6 ball in sternum position.

Junior Touch Basics page 3

 Passing
(Orthodox)

1 Fingers spread, firmly holding

ball in the carry position.

2 Turn fingers to pointing

downwards with arms drawn
back to side opposite target
and ball still in 6 o’clock
2
position.

3 Commence passing action

with foot farthest from target
forward.( allows for the upper
body to rotate and face the
Catcher)

4 Shoulders, arms and hips

rotating towards target.
All should be relaxed.

5 Foot closest to target stepping

towards target.

6 6 Eyes remain on target while

arms and hands travel across
body directing ball to target.
Use wrist and fingers (snap)
on release of ball.

7 Follow through with hands and

arms on release of ball. After
release fingers should
be pointing towards target.

8 Try to have the ball travel

through the air in the 6 o’clock
position with target between
waist and chest and slightly
7 in front of receiver.

Junior Touch Basics page 4

 Effecting
the Touch
(When in Possession)

1 Do not attempt to beat

defenders in impossible
situations.
2/3

2 Be proactive and effect the

touch to promote second
phase play.

3 Always try to get to side of

defender and not in front.
This allows you to follow
through and clear roll ball area.

4 Ball should be in carry position

in both hands, in front of chest
around sternum area.
6

5 Touch is made with hand

closest to the defender. The
other hand secures the ball
against the chest.

6 At the time the touch is made,

body should already be bent
preparing for the roll ball.

7 Touch must be made before

the ball is released.

Junior Touch Basics page 5

 Roll Ball
1 Be square on to your score line.

2 Ball held firmly against chest.

Held by hand opposite that
making the touch.

3 Once touch is effected bend

knees and stoop to allow you
to firmly place the ball on the
ground.
4

4 Ideally the ball should be

placed inside front foot and
between legs. Front foot
will usually be on the side
you are making the touch.

5 Ball should always be placed

firmly on ground and never
rolled.

6 On follow through, rear foot

should pass over the
stationary ball.

7 Move forward to clear roll ball

area and leave acting half
unimpeded.

8 Ball should be placed parallel

to the score line to allow
acting half to pick it up

7 in passing position.

Junior Touch Basics page 6

 Acting
Half
1 Approach ball slightly from
side farthest from target.

2 Take step towards target as

3a
you bend to handle ball.

3 In one motion, sweep ball

from ground in passing motion
towards target. (See Passing
for target and release).

4 Pass should be weighted for

ease of the catcher.

3b 5 Process can be made much

easier if the target player calls
clearly.

Tap Off –
Penalty
1 Place ball on mark as directed
3c by referee.

2 Take both hands off ball.

3 Tap ball with foot.

4 Avoid placing foot on top of

the ball to tap as this delay the
pickup and balance.

5 Pick up ball with both hands

3/4 and play on.

Junior Touch Basics page 7

 Defending
1 Defenders should clearly
identify who they are marking.
Call out selection or point out
the attacker being covered.

2 Move forward off the defensive

line to effect the touch if
possible.

3 Move to the outside of targeted

4
player to ensure that attackers
cannot go around defence –
always have more defensive
support back on the inside.

4 Make touch in front and not to

the side if possible.

5 Push back off the touched

player. This allows defender
to retreat the 5 metres as
quickly as possible.
The player making the touch
should retreat towards the
shorter defensive side.

6 When retreating to the

defensive line, do not turn
your back. Run backwards
or side on with a clear view
of the roll ball area.

5 7 Do not take dummies.

Junior Touch Basics page 8

General
1 Communication is essential in attack and defence. Encourage players to talk.

2 Ball must be cleared from the ruck area as soon as possible. Acting halves should be
encouraged to pass off quickly.

3 When rucking, receivers should always take the ball on the run and never standing still.

4 In attack, players should always call for the ball.

5 In defence, do not leave the defensive line too early. Referee will call the defender out of
the play thus leaving a gap in the line.

6 Do not substitute in defence.

7 It is important to encourage players that when making the touch in attack, it should be
made between defenders. When making the touch in defence it should be in front of the
attacker or slightly to the outside.

Junior Touch Basics page 9

 Two Man
Rucking
Purpose •ª A low risk method of
promotion of the ball.

Ideal play for changes of

1/2
possession as it involves only the
two players and allows others to
plan attack or even to substitute.

1 Player (a) rolls ball and player

(b) is acting half.

2 After rolling the ball, (a) slides

to one side and receives the
ball back from player (b) who
has passed from the ground.

3 Player (a) rucks forward, arrows

back in front of the ruck and
2
tries to get between defenders.

4 Player (a) initiates the touch to

remain in control and player (b)
who has followed up moves
again to acting half.

5 After rolling the ball player (a)

slides to the opposite side and
repeats the process.

Junior Touch Basics page 10

Two Man Rucking (Option)
1 Player (a) rolls ball and player (b) is acting half.
2 After rolling the ball, player (a) slides to one side and receives the
ball back from player (b) who has passed from the ground.
3 Player (a) rucks forward, arrows back in front of the ruck
and tries to get between defenders.
4 Player (a) initiates the touch to remain in control and
player (b) who has followed up moves again to acting half.
5 Player (a) slides to the opposite side. Player (b) picks up the
ball and runs at the retreating player who has made the touch.
6 After taking 2 to 3 paces, player (b) passes to player (a) who angles
back in front of the ruck, proceeds to the defensive line and makes the touch.
7 The process is repeated with player (a) sliding to the opposite side after rolling the ball.

Important Points
• Ensure ball is rolled correctly and square
on otherwise possession may be lost.
• To be most effective, should be carried out
with continuous motion.
• Players should be wary of forward passes
and make sure player (a) puts himself back
on side.
• Should outside defenders chase in to try to
shut down, this is an ideal time for player
(b) to wrap player (a) and create overlap. 4

Junior Touch Basics page 11

Three Man Rucking
Purpose • A low risk method of promotion of the ball out of defensive half of the field.
• A means of creating momentum in attack.
• Creates confusion amongst opposing defenders.

1 In three man situation – player (a) rolls the ball, player (b) is acting half and player (c) is the
receiver.

2 Player (a) rolls to (b) who passes to (c) who takes the ball on the run close to the
advantage line.(The Advantage line is an imaginary line which would be created should a
line be drawn across the field using the ball, in the roll ball situation, as it’s marker.)

3 (b) wraps around (c) calling for the ball. He probably will not receive the ball but is at least
creating confusion for defenders and will now be in position to take the next ruck.

4 (c) angles back in front of the ruck and tries to get between two defenders. (c) makes
touch at the defensive line and rolls the ball back to (a) who has moved forward and is
now acting half.

5 Procedure is now repeated with (c) rolling ball, (a) acting half and (b) receiving.

6 (a) now wraps (b) who angles back in front of the ruck and (c) moves to acting half.

7 Repeat as often as necessary – at least three times coming out of own half.

2 4

Important points:
• To be effective must be carried out with continuous motion and not stop and start.
• Player who rolls ball goes to acting half.
• Acting half wraps receiver, calls for ball and maintains position.
• Receivers keep coming from the same side.
• Receivers angle back in front of the ruck and get between defenders.
• Receivers make touches on defenders to stay in control.
• Receivers take ball on run – never standing still.
• Always call loudly and urgently for the ball.

Junior Touch Basics page 12

 Spiral Pass
Purpose
• To transfer the ball over longer distances with
accuracy and speed.
• Makes defenders cover more territory as
1 it allows attacking team to play with more
width.

1 Ball is held in the “V” grip by the driving hand.

(The Driving Hand is the hand which propels
the ball. When passing Right to Left it is the
Right hand. When passing Left to Right it is
the Left hand.) Ideally with fingers and thumb
pressed against the surface but the palm not
in contact.
2
2 The other hand is used to steady and direct
the ball towards the target. During the
passing action, make sure the end of the ball
is pointing towards the target.
3 In one motion, draw the ball to the side
opposite the target by raising the elbow and
roll the wrist downwards to create tension.
4 Transfer the ball across the body,
straightening the wrist and using fingers to
exert spin on the ball
5 Follow through with passing motion and
finish with fingers pointing towards target.

Important points:
• To begin with, may be best to practice the
action of the driving hand only.
• Players should practice with either hand to
ensure they are proficient when passing to
either side.
• Accuracy and low trajectory are paramount.
3

4 5

Junior Touch Basics page 13

Wrap
Purpose
• Low risk attacking play to drag two defenders together to create space
on the outside and place Wrapper in the gap provided.

1 Receiver takes ball on the run.

2 Attracts attention of defender in front of him.
3 Runs an angled course back in front of the passer.
4 Wrapper delays run and then wraps around the ball carrier into the space provided.
5 Wrapper receives pass and straightens up.
6 Most effective when done at pace.

Important points:

• Best attempted when

attacking side has forward
momentum and defenders are
rolling backwards and under
pressure.

• To attract defenders attention,

the Receiver should look
1 defender in the face while
on the angled run. Only
look for the Wrapper when
sure defender is drawn and
chasing.

• Angling in is imperative. This

shortens the distance the
Wrapper has to cover, opens
the gap wider and allows the
Wrapper to straighten.

• The Wrapper should delay

3/4 his run. Wait for the outside
defender to chase in before
commencing to wrap.

• The Wrapper should call

clearly on the way around so
that the Ball Carrier knows
where he is before looking.

• Wrapping is a good way to

finish the Three Man Ruck
activity.
5

Junior Touch Basics page 14

Switch
Purpose • Change the point of the attack.

1 The Ball Carrier attracts his Defender.

2 Gets on the outside of him and runs across field at pace.
3 Receiver stands deep and wide and initially also runs out to attract and hold his Defender
in place.
4 The Ball Carrier with his Defender in pursuit, heads out towards Receiver who steps and
changes direction back inside Ball Carrier.
5 Ball Carrier turns (always keeping Receiver in view) and passes back inside to Receiver
who straightens and takes the gap left by the Defender who is chasing the Ball Carrier.

Important points:
• Ball Carrier must run out at
pace.
• Receiver should be deep and
wide. In fact, when Ball Carrier
calls the play, the Receiver
should automatically take at
least one step out and back.
• The Ball Carrier’s turn should
be done in a manner that the
2/3 Receiver is always in view and
also, the Receiver should have a
clear view of the ball at all times.
• It is essential that the Ball
Carrier’s pass delivery is made
on the correct leg. The pass
should be made when the Ball
Carrier’s weight is on the foot
farthest from the Receiver.
This allows the Ball Carrier to
rotate his upper body towards
the Receiver. Not only is this
the most comfortable method
4 but it aids in the distance and
accuracy of the pass.
• Receiver must straighten and
run onto the ball.
• Communication between
the Ball Carrier and Receiver
throughout the process is
crucial to the success of the
Switch.
• During the switch, players
should endeavour to stay wide
apart. Thus ensuring that the
one defender cannot touch
5 them both.

Junior Touch Basics page 15

Rope Defence
Purpose • Aim is to squeeze up and congest around the ball.
• Makes it extremely difficult for the defensive line to be broken.
• Ensures that there is always support if a defender is beaten one on one.

1 When ball is travelling to the right hand side of the defensive line, the Winger on the left
moves inside his opposite and across to the outside shoulder of the opposing Link.
2 The Left hand (defensive) Link moves inside his opposite and into the outside shoulder of
the opposite Right middle player.
3 The Left hand (defensive)Middle moves inside his opposite and into the outside shoulder
of the opposing Left hand Middle.
4 The Right hand (defensive) Middle, Link and Winger move to the outside shoulder of their
respective opposite.
5 In this example, the Left hand defenders defend inside their opposites while the Right
hand defenders defend outside their opposites.
6 As the ball moves back across the field, the Left hand defenders move outside their
opposites and the Right hand defenders move in one position.
7 Defenders do not chase in to make the touch. They slide out.
8 When the touch is made, it is made with the inside hand to assist in sliding out to the
short side of the defensive line. In this way, should the attackers try to attack the short
side, the defenders will already be outside their opposites.
9 Defenders should not be beaten on the outside on the side of the field where the ball is,
as they are defending on the outside of their opposite.
10 If a defender is beaten back on the inside, defenders on their inside collapse in to the
players they are defending the outside shoulder of.
11 Wingers are encouraged to only make touches in extreme emergencies in their own half
as they are too easily the victims of dump and slide if they become involved. Link should
endeavour to make touches on both opposing Link and Winger.
12 This whole procedure becomes much clearer if you should practice on a table with six
attacking markers and six defending markers.

Important points:
• Each players role is important.
• Players away from the area under attack in particular must help out with constructive talk.
• Players around ball must communicate and nominate who is making touch.
• Only one to make touch.
• Do not over read situation - play your role and trust your fellow defenders.
• Must defend as a unit.

Junior Touch Basics page 16