One on one channel
An evasion and footwork drill for U8 and up, with where the cones go, how it runs and what to say when it is not working.
Free to read with no account. It works at a pitch with no signal too.
- Age grades
- U8, U9, U10, U11, U12
- Time
- 8 minutes
- Players
- 6 to 20
- Space
- 10 x 20 m
- Kit
- 6 cones, 2 tags per player, 1 ball
- Pitch
- Fine on hard ground
- Indoors
- Fits a small space
Setting it up
A narrow channel, one attacker at one end, one defender at the other.
How it runs
Straight race. Get to the other end with your tags. Narrow enough that footwork alone will not do it, so they have to change pace as well. Six goes each, alternate attacking and defending. Keep the pairs matched for size or the quick ones just run round everybody.
What to watch for
- Change of pace beats change of direction in a tight space
- Attack their outside shoulder then come back inside
- Defenders, do not dive in. Stay in front and force the decision
Make it easier
- Wider channel
- Defender may only move sideways
Make it harder
- Narrower channel
- Defender starts closer
What it looks like when it is going wrong
What you can see from the touchline, then the one thing to say about it.
- Running at one speed the whole way
- Slow down, then go. The change is what beats them
- Defenders diving in and getting stepped
- Stay on your feet in front of them. Make them decide
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The grades that can do it
What U8 rugby allows is the rule this sits under. Regulation 15 is reissued every summer, so the RFU's own rules of play are the ones to read for this season rather than a copy on somebody else's website. Ours included. Read against the RFU's 2026/27 appendices in August 2026.