EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS RUGBY COACHES
It’s worth coaching rugby kicking skills as early as possible, even if your young players are not allowed to kick during games yet. By the time kicking is introduced into the game, the youngsters will have a well-developed set of core skills and a basic tactical understanding of when to kick. Use the following rugby coaching tips and drills to help. And, of course, any catching drills are going to be worthwhile as they’ll soon be faced with some up and unders too!
in Kicking & Catching, Small-sided games
As kicking is introduced into the game, players need to be ready to catch or gather a kick and then play away from the kick. This session develops those skills. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Use this session work on your players’ ability to catch a kick and play away from the catch quickly. It’s a good all-round warm-up session as part of your unit skills. MORE
School of Kicking coach, Stuart Alred, explains why and how changing the shape of the kick from a C to a J gives you a more accurate, longer kick. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Small-sided games
Because kicking is a feature of the game, we have to find ways to include it in our sessions. Use this game to focus on one aspect of kicking – landing the ball on top of the foot. MORE
Even without a specialised kicking coach, it is essential you spend more time on this area of the game. Not only does this improve kicking skills but allows the game to flow better and move forward. Kicking is a core skill and a major tactical aspect of the game. I have spent a long time researching this skill. After talking to several top kicking coaches, I've come to the conclusion that, 1. we don't spend enough time kicking out of hand and, 2. when we do, it is not focused enough. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
This is an example of a low-level technique-based drill designed to improve the leg drive and catching skills of the chaser. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby drills
Improve your backfield players understanding where to run and how to cover kicks. Help them anticipate where the opposition are likely to kick to ensure they catch the ball on the full. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Passing & Handling, Practice plans
The kick pass is becoming more prevalent at the top level and there is no reason why your players cannot use the same tactic. There are risks, but the possible rewards are great because the ball literally flies out to wing. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Rugby coaching videos, Rugby drills
Work on the basics of taking a drop kick, both to score points by kicking at goal in open play or, more commonly, for taking restarts, like kick offs. MORE
in Kicking & Catching, Small-sided games
Running back a kick will be an important part of any team’s attacking play. Use this game to work on the chase and the kick-return in open play. MORE
