Player Position & Staff Guide /

Rugby league is a team sport where every position plays a crucial role in both attack and defence. This guide outlines key focuses, essential skills, and position-specific drills to help players develop their game. It also provides insights for coaches, managers, and trainers to create a supportive and effective team environment.

Player Positions

Fullback

Key Focus: Work Rate, Communication, and Push Support

Skills for the Role: Speed & Agility, Strong Catch & Pass, Solid Tackle Technique, Kicking Ability.

Attack: Push up around the ball, especially in broken play, to create attacking options. Link with the halves to provide support on the edges. On kick returns, look for space and get involved in the broken play. Start yardage sets with quick play-the-ball to gain momentum.

Defence: Defuse kicks effectively, whether under pressure or not. Commit to tackles when an opposition line break occurs. Communicate with defenders to ensure proper coverage and positioning in the defensive line, filling gaps where needed.

Position-Specific Drills:

• Catch & Pass, Catch & Carry, Draw and Pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• Kick defusals under pressure and no pressure
• Catching and winning aerial kicks in attack
• Link play with wingers
• Executing 3v2 overlaps

Wing

Key Focus: Effort, Work Rate, and Push Support

Skills for the Role: Speed & Agility, Height, Strong Catch & Carry

Attack: Make yardage runs while the forwards are retreating onside. Get the ball back to the middle of the field and set the platform with a quick play-the-ball. Hold width in good ball to stretch the defensive line, chase kicks with intent, and compete on attacking kicks.

Defence: Communicate and trust your centre to work together effectively on the edge. Ensure each player on the edge slides and tackles their direct opponent, while sometimes the winger may need to jam in with their centre to stop the play. Work with the fullback for kick defusals.

Position-Specific Drills:

• Catch & Pass, Catch & Carry, Draw and Pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• Kick defusals under pressure and no pressure
• Catching and winning aerial kicks in attack
• Attacking and Defending 1v1 and 2v2 situations
• Attacking and Defending 3v2 overlaps
• Dummy half passing 10+ metres

Centre

Key Focus: Strength and Controlled Aggression

Skills for the Role: Explosive Speed & Footwork, Agility, Strong Grip & Carry, Solid Catch & Pass, Strong 1v1 Tackle Technique

Attack: Support wingers in yardage runs. Beat your opposite number in good ball through explosive acceleration, footwork, fending, and running into space. 

Defence: Communicate effectively with teammates to count numbers and stay connected, either coming up and in on the edge or jockeying and waiting for the inside defenders to come and hunt. Always be aggressive towards your opposite number when they receive the ball, ensuring strong defensive pressure.

Position-Specific Drills:

• Catch & Pass, Catch & Carry, Draw and Pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• Attacking and Defending 1v1 and 2v2 situations
• Attacking and Defending 3v2 overlaps
• Dummy half passing 10+ metres

Halves (Halfback & Five-Eighth) 

Key Focus: Look for space, play direct, flat, and fast.

Skills for the Role: Strong knowledge and technical ability, speed and agility, proficiency in catch, pass, tackle technique, and kicking. Ability to create, identify, and attack space.

Attack: Play direct, flat, and fast over the advantage line. Promote the ball into space and execute attacking opportunities when they present. Communicate clearly and calmly. Push up in support. Control fifth tackle options.

Defence: Communicate effectively with both edges and middles. Work closely with the backrower to manage width, spacing, and defensive structure. Execute 2-on-1 tackles in the middle third and 1-on-1 tackles on the edge.

Position-Specific Extras/Drills:

• Catch & pass, catch & carry, draw & pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• Long spiral passing (10-15m)
• Inside/outside support decision-making
• Executing 3v2 overlaps
• Long kicking into the corner
• Goal-line attacking kicks (low and high)

Hooker

Key Focus: Identify space, be a strong defender, and deliver accurate spiral passes both ways.

Skills for the Role: Excellent passing in both directions, strong tackle technique, and clear, effective communication.

Attack: Look to run off quick play-the-balls, using speed or drawing and passing to support runners. Provide quality ball service with accurate spiral passes out in front. Identify space and send the ball in the right direction.

Defence: Work with middles and backrowers for dual contact. Lead line speed and communication. Apply kick pressure. Challenge yourself to top the tackle count, hit under the ball, and force errors.

Position-Specific Extras/Drills:

• Catch & pass, catch & carry, draw & pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• 10-15m spiral passing from dummy half
• Wrestling and slowing down the play-the-ball
• Attacking with ruck shapes

Second Row (Edge Forward)

Key Focus: Run effective lines, attacking space. Be a dominant defender with a high tackle count. Showcase ball-skills and footwork.

Skills for the Role: Size and strength, speed and agility, solid tackle technique, strong catch & carry, and the ability to offload.

Attack: Run good lines for the half, push up in support, and execute good catch & pass - knowing when to run or promote the ball. Ability to offload post contact. Use late footwork at the line to generate momentum. 

Defence: Be a high-work-rate defender with a big tackle count. Seek dual contact in the middle third while staying connected to the edge. Maintain width awareness to preserve the defensive structure. Lead strong kick chase and apply consistent kick pressure.

Position-Specific Extras/Drills:

• Catch & pass, catch & carry, draw & pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• Line running variations and timing
• Offloading post-contact
• Wrestling and slowing down the play-the-ball
• Tackle breaking, evasion, and footwork drills

Middle Forward (Front Row & Lock)

Key Focus: Run hard, generate momentum, and secure quick play-the-balls. Defend efficiently through the middle with strong technique.

Skills for the Role: Strong grip & carry into contact, solid tackle technique (1v1 and 2v1), footwork, size, and strength.

Attack: Carry the ball in two hands, ready to ball-play or take contact with bumpers up. Find your front and aim for quick play-the-balls. Support other middles in attack.

Defence: Work in unison with teammates, seeking dual contact to dominate collisions. Pin and squeeze attackers on the ground. Peel off the ruck to slow it down. Tie in at markers and put pressure the opposition’s fifth tackle kicker.

Position-Specific Extras/Drills:

• Catch & pass, catch & carry, draw & pass
• 1v1, 2v1, and 3v1 tackle technique
• Ruck defence and marker movements
• Offloading post-contact
• Wrestling and slowing down the play-the-ball
• Catch into late footwork drills
• Post-contact drive and finding your front

Staff Guide

Coaches

Key Focus: Stay calm, communicate effectively, and demonstrate strong knowledge.

Skills for the Role: Patience, clear communication, thorough preparation, and the ability to reflect and adjust.

Tips:

• Focus on one skill or tactic at a time - master it before moving on.
• Coach every player - support weaker players while not over-focusing on the strongest ones.
• Ensure all players have a role within the team.
• Build relationships with players and parents/guardians - be approachable!

Managers

Key Attributes: Calm, respectful, and organised.

Skills for the Role: Strong organisational and communication skills.

Tips:

• Keeping the team informed and organised with key dates and times for trainings, gala days, game days and other events.
• Ensure all staff have the correct accreditation and all players are registered.
• Support the coach in maintaining a strong, positive, and inclusive environment for players and parents.
• Build relationships with players and parents/guardians - be approachable!

Sports Trainers and League Safes

Key Attributes: Calm and empathetic. 

Skills for the Role: Qualified ability to manage player injuries and have strong communication skills.

Tips:

• Keep players calm and relay coach messages effectively.
• Have the required qualifications.
• Understand player conditions and past injuries to provide proper care.
• Build relationships with players and parents/guardians - be approachable!