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Rugby Fives Association

The governing body for Rugby Fives — promoting play, coaching and competition across the UK

How to create a season plan for your Rugby Fives team

A clear season plan gives a Rugby Fives team direction from the first training session to the final fixture. It connects technical development, match preparation, player wellbeing and practical arrangements, so coaches can make decisions before pressure builds. The plan should be useful rather than complicated: a shared calendar, a few measurable priorities and regular opportunities to adjust.

Australian teams may need to work around limited court availability, long distances between clubs and busy school or university schedules. A squad in Sydney may face different travel demands from one in Melbourne, while Brisbane teams may need to account for heat, humidity and summer storms. These local conditions belong in the planning process from the beginning.

The strongest plans also reflect the character of the group. A developing school side may focus on basic movement and confidence, while an established club may target rankings, tournament performance or a particular style of play. A realistic plan gives every player a role and makes progress visible across the season.

Use the Rugby Fives Association’s fixtures, competition information and coaching resources where they apply to your team. Match records, player feedback and attendance data can turn a general training schedule into a practical programme that supports participation and long-term improvement.

Start with outcomes and the season calendar

Begin by defining three to five outcomes for the season. These might include improving serve consistency, developing defensive movement, increasing the number of available players, entering a state or national event, or creating a pathway for new juniors. Each outcome should be specific enough to review. “Improve fitness” is broad; “complete repeated court movement drills without a drop in quality” gives the coach something observable.

Place the main dates on one calendar before setting weekly sessions. Include league fixtures, tournaments, school holidays, examination periods, public holidays and likely venue closures. Australian teams should also consider the timing of local competitions around the AFL and NRL seasons, since players may have other sporting commitments. In Melbourne, winter travel and indoor venue demand can affect attendance; in Brisbane, hot weather may make early or evening sessions more suitable.

Divide the year into sensible phases. A preparation block can establish technique and movement, an early competition block can introduce match pressure, a mid-season block can address weaknesses and a late-season block can sharpen performance. Allow a short transition period after major championships before demanding full training again.

Map the squad and training needs

Assess the squad before prescribing exercises. Record each player’s experience, preferred position or playing style, availability, fitness considerations and personal goals. Simple baseline measures can include successful serves out of ten, errors during a controlled rally, movement quality and performance in a short practice match. The purpose is to identify needs, not to label players permanently.

Group the main development needs into technical, tactical, physical and mental areas. Technical work may involve serving, returning, striking accuracy and use of the walls. Tactical training can cover shot selection, court positioning, reading an opponent and changing pace. Physical preparation should support repeated lunges, changes of direction and recovery, while mental skills may include routines between points and constructive responses to mistakes.

A squad does not need identical targets. A new player may need a reliable basic serve and safe return, while an experienced competitor may work on forcing an opponent away from a preferred position. Shared team goals keep the group together, but individual objectives make the season plan more relevant.

Keep the assessment inclusive. Players returning from injury, those balancing work with sport and juniors developing physically may need different workloads. In Australia, where players can travel considerable distances to train or compete, an occasional remote check-in or video review can help maintain contact without pretending it replaces court practice.

Build a weekly training rhythm

A useful weekly structure balances quality, recovery and attendance. If the team has two court sessions, one can emphasise skill acquisition and the other can focus on competitive scenarios. If only one session is possible, combine a short technical block with conditioned games rather than trying to cover every topic in a single night.

A typical session might begin with a progressive warm-up, followed by a specific skill theme, movement practice and games that reproduce match decisions. Finish with a short review and a clear individual task for the next session. For example, a session on serving can move from target practice to return pressure, then to games where the first two shots determine the scoring opportunity.

Training loads should rise gradually. The weeks before a major event should include intensity, but the final sessions should leave players fresh enough to compete. Avoid filling every spare day with hard work. Walking, mobility, light aerobic exercise or rest can support recovery, especially for players who also participate in cricket, tennis, AFL or touch football.

Court time may be expensive or scarce in the Australian market, particularly when schools and community facilities have competing bookings. Make every session purposeful, share courts efficiently and prepare drills that work with different group sizes. A simple attendance record will show whether the schedule suits the squad or needs to shift around work, university and school timetables.

Plan competition and player welfare

Work backwards from each important fixture. Six to eight weeks before a championship, identify the skills and tactical patterns most likely to matter. Four weeks out, increase match-specific practice. In the final fortnight, use practice matches to test combinations and routines. During the last week, reduce volume while maintaining speed, accuracy and confidence.

Competition planning includes practical details that are easy to overlook. Confirm entries, transport, accommodation, equipment, court times and communication arrangements early. For a team travelling from Perth to the east coast, flight costs and recovery time may influence selection and preparation. A club travelling between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne may need to plan around road time, fuel costs and weekend congestion rather than treating every away fixture as equally accessible.

Player welfare should sit inside the plan, not beside it. Establish a process for reporting pain, illness, fatigue or anxiety without embarrassment. Include warm-ups, cool-downs, hydration breaks and sensible return-to-play steps. In hotter parts of Queensland or Western Australia, schedule fluids and shade into the day; in colder southern cities, allow extra time for players to warm up before explosive movement.

Agree on selection principles before important matches. Explain how attendance, current form, development goals, availability and team balance will be considered. Clear expectations reduce conflict and help developing players understand how they can earn more court time.

Review progress and keep records

Set review points every three or four weeks. Compare the original targets with match results, training observations and player feedback. Look for patterns: are errors concentrated under pressure, does the team lose points after long rallies, or are players improving in practice but struggling to transfer skills into competition? These findings should shape the next training block.

Keep records that are simple enough to maintain. A shared spreadsheet can track attendance, fixtures, results, player availability, training themes and agreed actions. Coaches can add brief notes after matches, while players record one strength and one focus area. Historical records become valuable when planning the next season and when new coaches or volunteers join the club.

Season phase	Main priority	Useful evidence	Planning adjustment
Preparation	Technique, movement and attendance	Baseline drills and session participation	Add foundation work or modify workloads
Early competition	Reliable patterns under pressure	Match statistics and coach observations	Target recurring errors
Mid-season	Tactical variety and resilience	Results against different opponents	Change pairings, scenarios or shot choices
Championship build-up	Match sharpness and recovery	Practice matches and player readiness	Reduce volume while retaining intensity
Transition	Reflection and retention	Player feedback and season records	Set future goals and recruit support

Finish the season with a structured review rather than relying on memory. Ask players which sessions helped, where the calendar caused problems and what support they want next year. Compare the final results with the opening measures, while recognising improvements that may not appear in a win-loss record, such as stronger attendance, better communication or a successful junior pathway.

A Rugby Fives season plan should be a working document. Publish the key dates, share responsibilities among coaches and volunteers, and revisit the plan whenever fixtures, venues or player circumstances change. Use the Rugby Fives Association’s competitions, records and development networks to connect your squad with the wider sport, then turn the plan into action at your next training session.

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What is Fives?

A handball sport with deep roots

Rugby Fives is a fast, skilful handball game played in an enclosed court with walls. It takes its name from Rugby School, where the modern game developed. The RFA provides resources and an introductory video for newcomers eager to understand the rules and spirit of the sport.

Discover the game

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Where to Play

Courts across the country

Rugby Fives is played at schools, universities and clubs throughout the UK. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or picking up a glove for the first time, the RFA can help connect you with local venues and fellow players.

Find a court

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Rankings

Tracking the best in the game

The RFA maintains official player rankings, including a dedicated Women's rankings list and end-of-season standings. A comprehensive record book of tournament winners stretches back to 1925, preserving nearly a century of competitive history.

View rankings

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Fixtures & Tournaments

The competitive calendar

The RFA calendar includes championships, open tournaments, and school and university matches. Major events have included the National Open Singles, the South West Open, the London Open, the Scottish Open, and the Owers Trophy — alongside representative fixtures against schools and clubs.

See fixtures

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