Kick off threes

Receiving the kick off cleanly under pressure gives a team a mental boost after a score. Ideally, if it is a hanging kick, your catcher can be lifted off the ground. It gives him a height advantage and protects him. It takes timing with lifters moving into support him.

Warm up time: 5
Session time: 6-9
Development time: 6-9
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 7

What to think about

The receiver of the kick has plenty of time to get into position once he is confident the ball is coming into his zone. Depending on the skills of the players, the receiver will want to come forward more than he wants to track back. The player behind him will be very close and he will be jumping up and back on to this player. Some players prefer to be lifted by the shorts because of the grip. Unlike a lineout lift, the speed and height into the air is not as important. The front lifter adds some upwards drive and then acts some stability. Remember that the lifters still need to bring the jumper down!

set-up

1. Catcher: loud call, feel your supporter in place and jump confidently.
2. Support player behind: firm grip or hold on catcher. Tell him you are ready. Lift and hold.
3. Support player in front: run to catcher, don’t watch the ball.

What you get your players to do

Start by setting up a catcher with a support player directly behind him. The front support player runs forward and helps the jump and lift. Repeat, but this time throw in a ball to catch to improve timing. Make sure there is enough height on the throw to give the catcher plenty of time to adjust. Repeat with different combinations, trying out different techniques like underhand grips on the shorts.