So you’ve got a young footy fan who’s keen to pull on the boots and chase that NRL dream. Whether they’re dreaming of running out at a big stadium or just want to have a crack with their mates at the local club, building the right skills early makes all the difference.

I’ve put together a practical checklist that’ll help your junior player develop the fundamentals the right way. This isn’t about turning them into a star overnight – it’s about building a solid foundation that’ll serve them well as they progress through the ranks.

Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before we dive into the skills, let’s make sure you’ve got the basics covered:

A proper fitting footy – Size 3 for under 7s, size 4 for under 9s, size 5 from under 13s onwards
Mouthguard – Non-negotiable, get one fitted properly
Boots – Moulded soles for juniors, no metal studs until older age groups
Water bottle – Hydration is key, especially during those hot afternoons
Cones or markers – Even old drink bottles with some sand will do
A willing training partner – Mum, dad, sibling, or a mate from the club

You don’t need fancy gear to start. Some of the best players learned their craft with nothing more than a footy and a brick wall.

Step 1: Master the Catch – The Foundation of Everything

Every great play in Rugby League starts with catching the ball cleanly. You can’t run, pass, or score if you can’t take the pill under pressure.

The drill: Start with simple chest passes from about five metres apart. Progress to:

High balls
Low balls (scooping off the ground)
Balls thrown slightly to either side

What to look for: Eyes on the ball all the way into the hands. Soft hands – don’t snatch at it. Create a diamond shape with your thumbs and forefingers for chest-high catches, and a triangle (little fingers together) for catches below the waist.

Coach tip: Get your junior to call for the ball every time. “Mine!” or “Got it!” builds confidence and communication habits that carry through to senior footy.

Step 2: Passing – Left and Right, No Excuses

Here’s a truth bomb – if your junior can only pass one way, they’ll hit a ceiling fast. The best playmakers can fire a pass left or right with equal accuracy.

The progression:

Stationary passes – Stand side-on to your target, push through with both hands
Walking passes – Add movement while maintaining accuracy
Running passes – Full speed, hitting the target on the move
Passing under pressure – Have someone shadow them as they pass

Key points:

Hold the ball in both hands, fingers spread across the seams
Push through the ball, don’t slap or throw it
Follow through towards your target – your hands should finish pointing at where you want the ball to go
Spin is good, but only if it’s tight – wobbling passes are harder to catch

Common mistake: Passing off one hand. Juniors often develop a dominant passing hand. Fix this early by doing twice as many passes on their weak side during training.

Step 3: Footwork – Beat Your Opponent One-on-One

You know what separates a good junior player from a great one? Their ability to make a defender miss in a phone box. Watch any top-level game and you’ll see players beat defenders with subtle footwork, not just speed.

The drills:

The Side Step:

Place two cones five metres apart
Run towards the first cone, plant your outside foot, and push off to change direction
Keep your shoulders square to the defence – don’t telegraph your move

The Stutter Step:

As you approach the defender, take short, choppy steps
This freezes them, then you accelerate into the gap
Think of it like a boxer setting up a punch

The Swerve:

Run directly at the defender
At the last moment, dip your shoulder and run a curved line around them
Don’t slow down – the change of direction should be smooth

Pro tip: Practice these moves at game speed. Slow footwork in training becomes slow footwork in matches. If you want to beat defenders, you’ve got to train with intensity.

Step 4: Tackling – Safe and Effective

This is the non-negotiable skill in Rugby League. Every player needs to tackle and be comfortable being tackled. But safety comes first.

The safe tackling progression:

Body position first – Head to the side, cheek pressed against the opponent’s thigh or hip
Footwork into contact – Drive through with your legs, not just your upper body
Wrap and squeeze – Arms go around the legs, squeeze tight
Leg drive – Keep pumping your legs to complete the tackle

What NOT to do:

Never lead with your head – this is how serious injuries happen
Don’t grab high – it’s ineffective and can lead to penalties
Avoid arm-only tackles – use your whole body

Coach says: “The tackle starts before contact. It’s about reading the ball carrier, getting into position, and committing fully.”

For safety guidance, always consult your local club’s qualified coaching staff or a sports medicine professional if you have concerns about tackling technique.

Step 5: Kicking – More Than Just a Boot

While Rugby League isn’t Aussie Rules, kicking is still a vital skill. Whether it’s a clearing kick from your own end or a grubber into the in-goal, juniors need to develop this early.

The three essential kicks:

The Punt (for distance):

Hold the ball at a slight angle, laces facing away from your body
Drop the ball onto your foot – don’t throw it up
Strike through the ball, not just at it
Follow through high

The Grubber (for attacking kicks):

Kick the top half of the ball so it bounces along the ground
Aim for it to bounce up awkwardly for defenders
Practice this with a target near the try line

The Bomb (high ball):

Kick the bottom of the ball to get maximum height
The goal is to give your chasers time to get under it
Practice this into the wind to build strength

For more detailed kicking technique, check out our guide on set-shot-kicking-tips – it’s written for goal kicking but the principles apply across all kicking.

Step 6: Game Awareness – The Mental Side

Skills are nothing without a footy brain. The best juniors understand where to be and when.

Develop game sense through:

Watching footy with purpose:

Pick a player in your position and watch only them for a full set of six
Notice where they stand in defence
See how they support the ball carrier

Simple decision-making drills:

Set up 2v1 or 3v2 scenarios
The ball carrier has to decide: pass, run, or kick
Start with no defenders, then add them in

Communication practice:

Call for the ball every time
Talk in defence – “Left!” “Right!” “I got him!”
Use short, sharp commands

The winning way: Watch how top sides communicate. Every player is talking, every player knows their role. That doesn’t happen by accident – it’s drilled from the juniors up.

Step 7: Fitness and Conditioning – Rugby League Ready

You can have all the skill in the world, but if you’re gassed after five minutes, you’re useless to your team.

Age-appropriate fitness:

For under 8s and under 9s:

Focus on fun games that involve running
Tag games, relays, chase games
Keep it playful – don’t turn them into gym rats

For under 10s to under 12s:

Introduce short interval running (20m sprints, walk back)
Bodyweight exercises – squats, lunges, push-ups
Agility ladder work

For under 13s and above:

Build running volume gradually
Include change-of-direction work
Start basic strength work with proper supervision

The key: Consistency beats intensity. A junior who does 10 minutes of fitness three times a week will outperform the one who does one massive session on the weekend.

For a full program tailored to juniors, have a look at our fitness-conditioning-program guide.

Step 8: Position-Specific Skills

Once your junior has the basics down, start thinking about position. But here’s the thing – don’t specialise too early. The best players can play multiple positions.

For backs (fullback, wing, centre):

High ball practice every session
Finishing drills – scoring in the corner
Support play – always be there for the offload

For halves (halfback, five-eighth):

Passing accuracy under pressure
Kicking game – all three types
Decision-making – when to run vs pass vs kick

For forwards (prop, hooker, second row, lock):

Tackle technique – you’ll make more tackles than anyone
Ball security – protect the pill in contact
Offloading – keep the ball alive

For the hooker:

Passing from dummy half – quick and accurate
Defensive reads – you’re the organiser
Service from the ruck – speed is everything

Common Mistakes Junior Players Make (And How to Fix Them)

Mistake 1: Playing too upright Fix: Stay low in contact. Imagine there’s a ceiling above your head – you want to stay under it.

Mistake 2: Watching the ball instead of the play Fix: Train your eyes to scan the defence, not stare at the footy.

Mistake 3: Not using both sides of the body Fix: Every drill should be done left AND right. No excuses.

Mistake 4: Panicking under pressure Fix: Practice with defenders closing you down. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Mistake 5: Neglecting the little things Fix: Catch 50 balls before training. Do 20 passes each side. The basics win games.

Pro Tips for Parents and Coaches

Keep it fun – If they’re not enjoying it, they won’t improve
Praise effort, not just results – A great try-saver is as valuable as a try
Film their training – Show them what they look like, it’s the fastest way to improve
Mix it up – Don’t do the same drills every session
Rest matters – Young bodies need recovery time

Your Junior Player Skills Checklist (Summary)

Here’s your quick reference checklist. Print it out, stick it on the fridge, tick off each skill as it develops:

Catching – Clean hands, soft catch, eyes on the ball
Passing – Accurate left and right, proper technique
Footwork – Side step, stutter step, swerve
Tackling – Safe technique, head to the side, wrap and drive
Kicking – Punt, grubber, bomb – all three types
Game awareness – Scanning, communicating, decision-making
Fitness – Age-appropriate conditioning, consistent effort
Position skills – Basic role understanding, versatility
Attitude – Coachable, hard-working, team-first mentality

Where to From Here?

Once your junior has these skills locked in, it’s time to take the next step. Check out these resources to keep the development rolling:

Junior Footy Modifications – Understanding the rules and formats for different age groups
Training Drills for Beginners – More drills to build on the basics
Player Development Gear – What equipment actually helps with skill development
Set Shot Kicking Tips – For when they start eyeing off those conversion attempts
Fitness Conditioning Program – Build that Rugby League engine the right way

Remember, every great player started somewhere. They put in the work, built the fundamentals, and kept improving.

Your junior can do the same. This checklist is their roadmap. Now it’s time to get out there and start ticking boxes.

See you at the footy.

Junior Player Skills Checklist for Rugby League Success