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!
Jim Love, former New Zealand Maori coach and coach of Italian side Rugby Viadana. Use a variety of kickoff tactics that can be interchanged during a match. Consider where the opposition is most vulnerable and also what it is most likely to do with the kick-off receipt should it win it. Focus on opposition kickers. […]
Chip kicks are the new attacking weapon on the block. Use them to cut through organised defences and score more tries. The more you can practise them in varied situations, the more confident your team will be to employ them under pressure in matches. Why use it Your team needs to be able to score […]
By Eamonn Hogan, experienced rugby coach working with representative teams in the UK and the US This activity works on catching your own high ball (such as a full back returning a kick). Set up Use three receivers, a ball and a kickchaser in every group and a wide area of the field to practise […]
The attacking box kick is a much-used tactic at the top level so grassroots coaches should be looking to use it as a means of exerting pressure and gaining territory. Why use it A box kick can be used as a contestable attacking kick in the opposition half and even if they do gather it, […]
From Rugby Coach Weekly Play this positional and kicking game to work on your backfield players’ positioning. It works on heads up play and communication. Why use it This game gives your back three the skills to cover kicks and outside breaks. Set up A 60m square split into three channels lengthways and divided in […]
As an alternative to players kicking a normal rugby ball, see how they cope with punting a tennis ball. Different Anything new to training interests players. Some might shy away from such a strange idea but others will enjoy the challenge. Whatever the thought, they will have to adjust and focus on their style: A […]
Kicking is something you would rarely do in training but it is such a big part of the game it pays dividends to get it right. Use this session to perfect your teams kicks. Why use it To go forward, gain territory, put your opponents under pressure – and score tries. Set Up A 40m […]
Often your number 8 is the ideal player to cover a box kick when the opposition are clearing their lines or sending your kick-off back. Practise his options and make him think. Why use it Offer your 8 a running or passing option after making a jumping or static catch in the deep. How to […]
Something that’s always amazed me is how poor players can be kicking any sort of ball, let alone a rugby ball. I suppose I often think that they practise this enough before training. Here’s a session containing some simple tips on striking the “sweet spot” of the ball to get your players punting the ball […]
Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh and Jonny Wilkinson – great kickers who were vital to their country scooping World Cup victory. So what can we learn from them, to help us kick winning goals?
