Flag Rugby: Getting Onside After a Tag
A 5-on-5 flag rugby game focused on offside: after every flag pull, defenders must retreat behind the ball before defending again. Students work on reading the game, tactical discipline, and quick repositioning.
How to play
- Two 35 x 20 m fields with 5 m try zones; four teams of 6 with flag belts and pinnies, plus one student per field as line judge (3 min).
- Explain the sequence (2 min): the defender pulls a flag and shouts “tag!”; the ball carrier stops, has three seconds to pass backward, and gets the flag back.
- At that moment, every defender ahead of the ball must run back until they are behind it; anyone who defends before getting back is offside.
- 3-on-3 waves (5 min): the line judge drops a cone where the flag was pulled so the line is visible; then 5-on-5 (10 min): a try is 1 point, each offside gives the offense 10 m, and after six tags the ball changes hands.
- Wrap-up (2 min): rotate line judges and discuss how to avoid offside.
Rules
- No contact: no tackling, no pushing, and ball carriers can't guard their flags with their hands.
- Passes go backward or flat; a forward pass gives the ball to the other team.
- Safety: flags sit on the sides of the hips, never tied, and no grabbing opponents.
- The line judge's offside calls are final.
Variations
Easier
Defenders only retreat to the cone, and the offense gets five seconds to pass.
Standard
Retreat behind the ball, three seconds, and six tags per possession.
Harder
Defenders retreat 3 m behind the ball, and the offense may restart without waiting.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: serves as line judge with a whistle, or receives passes in a sideline lane where flags can't be pulled.
- Low vision: use high-contrast flags and pinnies, and the line judge calls offside out loud.
- Lower skill level: plays the second line on defense, closer to the team's own zone.
Learning goals
- Get back behind the ball after every tag.
- Attack the space left by a poorly positioned defense.
- Respect the calls of a classmate who officiates.
Equipment for a class of 25
- rugby balls: 4
- flag belts: 25
- cones: 20
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
Defenders tend to stand still waiting for the next tag: shout “back!” at first until it becomes automatic. Drop the cones yourself for the first few minutes.
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