1 of your 2 free articles
Gone are the days when the forwards lined up in scrum formation to receive the kick off. Most rugby sides will aim to have two teams of catchers and supporters (pods 1 and 2 in the picture below) to cover the "kick off pressure triangle".
In this article, taken from my Match Day Tactics report, I look at your best options to cover a regular kick off.
Assuming a normal kick off, there are two areas to concentrate on: the "kick off pressure triangle" and the "unopposed kick circle".
1. Kick off pressure triangle
Here teams would expect to be under pressure from chasing defenders. The catchers and their supporters would need to move forward and into the ball. Any confusion on which "pod" should catch the ball should be resolved by the "receipt team" leader.
2. Unopposed kick circle
The ball is unlikely to drop on the catcher at the same time as the chaser. Pod 2 would work back to support any runners, as soon as the ball passes over their heads.
Securing the ball
A team must first secure the kick off before contemplating what to do next. It requires a mixture of unit organisation and player skills. The coach needs to identify the "receipt team", a team within a team (like a jumping pod in the lineout) whose first focus is good, clean ball. The receipt team comprises:
Using the ball
Once the ball is caught then other players need to be ready to take the kick off receipt to the next stage.
Where should each player stand?
This article is taken from my report Match Day Tactics to Give Your Team an Edge. Containing a powerful arsenal of match tactics, the report covers a potent armoury of tips, advice, tactics, and techniques to surprise, outwit and fox your opposition, turning a match in your favour. It includes a battery of pre-match planning and organisational tactics which will put you and your team mentally ahead, even before the whistle blows.
Click here to read more and to order your copy today. Match Day Tactics is available to download immediately as a PDF or by post as a printed copy.
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