The Development Path is the primary method of youth rugby development in the USA, and is used when player numbers permit, and appropriately qualified coaching is available. However, the Path has tackling and other contests for the ball that demand a highly competent, properly qualified level of coaching to teach the contact elements of the game safely. If an adequate level of coaching is not available, or if recruiting enough players for the contact game proves too difficult, or if players would prefer a low-contact version of the game then an alternative Non-contact Path is available.
The Non-contact Path is a sound way to teach most of the ball handling, movement, tactics and strategy elements of the game. The Path is similar to the Development Path in that the elements of the game are introduced progressively as players’ knowledge, skills, physiques and experience increase. The principal differences are that the game remains seven-a-side, and all of the contact elements are replaced by non-contact equivalents.
Micro Rugby
Micro Rugby is identical to the first stage of the Development Path. It is a seven-a-side game in with no tackles, no rucks, no mauls, no scrums, no line-outs and no kicking.
Intermediate Non-Contact
Next comes the Intermediate Non-Contact stage. It retains both the seven-a-side format and the tag as a replacement for the tackle. Players are introduced to rucks and scrums, both in uncontested form, and to some open field and other kicking.
Full Non-Contact
Finally comes the Full Non-Contact stage. Again, it retains both the seven-a-side format and the tag. Players are introduced to mauls, in uncontested form, and line-outs in a limited competitive form. At this level players are exposed to essentially all of the elements of the game except contact.
The Non-contact Path allows USA Rugby to bring the benefits of the game to areas of the country where the base of rugby experience is limited, and the immediate, safe introduction of the contact game is effectively precluded. The Non-contact Path can build the necessary knowledge base, player base and level of coaching competence required for eventual seamless migration to the contact game. As players migrate they can focus their attention predominantly on learning the contact elements of the game, with much of the groundwork in the other elements already well in hand. In concert with each other the two Paths provide a very complementary, effective way of rapidly expanding the total player base in America at a much earlier time than would otherwise be the case.
