5 core rugby skills every junior player should master

Build confidence. Unlock creativity. Love the game.

Whether your child is just starting out in rugby or already clocking up game time, mastering the fundamentals never stops being important.

These five core skills are the bedrock of great rugby. Getting them right doesn’t just improve performance - it builds the confidence players need to be creative, make decisions under pressure and enjoy the game more.

At The RT Academy, we believe real progress comes from having the basics nailed. When these become second nature, everything else starts to fall into place. Skill execution, game understanding and self-belief.

“The best players aren’t just doing the flashy stuff – they’ve mastered the simple things so well that it frees them up to be creative. That’s what we teach at The RT Academy: strong foundations that players can build from.”

— Ben John, Head Coach, The RT Academy

Here are the five essential skills every player should master and why they matter at every stage of the game.

1. Passing: The engine of the game

Passing keeps rugby flowing. It links players together, moves the defence and creates space. While many focus on power or running, it’s often the simplest skill - the pass - that determines a player’s effectiveness in a team.

It’s not just about moving the ball. Good passing is about timing, communication, accuracy and confidence. When a player can pass well under pressure, they become a key part of any attacking move.

Why it matters: Confident passing keeps players involved, helps the team build momentum and earns the trust of teammates and coaches.

2. Tackling: Confidence starts with safety

Tackling can be one of the most daunting parts of rugby, especially for newer players. But when taught properly, it becomes a source of confidence rather than fear.

Effective tackling isn’t about brute force. It’s about technique, positioning and mindset. Players who tackle well protect themselves and others while showing coaches they’re reliable when it counts.

Why it matters: Safe, strong tackling lowers injury risk, builds physical confidence and shows that a player can be trusted in defence.

3. Rucking: Win the fight for possession

The breakdown is one of the most contested areas of the game. Get it right, and the team keeps the ball and controls the pace. Get it wrong, and possession or valuable momentum is lost.

Every player, not just forwards, should understand rucking. That means knowing how to stay low, drive through the contact area and protect the ball after a tackle.

Why it matters: Rucking well gives the team more ball and shows an understanding of how to win the fight on the ground.

4. Kicking: Influence the game in new ways

You don’t have to be a fly-half to benefit from strong kicking basics. A smart grubber or a well-placed kick to touch can shift the game in your child’s team’s favour – especially under pressure.

Understanding when and how to kick adds another layer to a player’s decision-making and helps them control territory and tempo.

Why it matters: Kicking gives players another way to influence games and adds value to their overall skill set.

5. Fitness: Perform when it counts

Rugby fitness isn’t about running laps. It’s about short, explosive efforts, repeated sprints and quick recovery – all while staying switched on mentally.

Players with strong fitness foundations can execute skills under pressure, recover quickly between efforts and avoid fatigue-related mistakes.

Why it matters: Good fitness keeps players sharp, focused and able to perform when it matters most, especially late in the game.

Why these skills matter for everyone

These aren’t just beginner skills. They’re the foundations that even the best players revisit throughout their careers. Whether your player is ten or eighteen, learning the game or aiming for the top, mastering these five areas unlocks everything else.

They don’t just make players better. They make rugby more enjoyable. When a player feels confident in their core skills, they start to express themselves on the pitch. That’s when the fun really starts.

Want to develop these skills the right way? At The RT Academy, we’re here to support players at every stage of their journey.

Start with our short Spin Pass Guide – perfect for helping players nail one of the most important fundamentals in rugby.

Or take the next step with The RT Academy – structured video coaching, expert-led drills and tailored weekly feedback designed to help players improve with confidence. Explore The RT Academy Membership.