Build up the skill to kick accurately and then kick to where the defence are not.
Often kicks in open field are aimless. In this session, challenge the players first to kick to where they intend to, and then to kick to where the defence are not. In other words, look before kicking.
Put two players 5m apart.
They kick the ball six times to each other.
Once they have completed six in a row (kicked and caught), one of the players steps back a cone, so the kicks are now 10m.
Finally the other player does, once six more are completed.
Have a feeder pass the ball to the kicker, who then has to turn and kick to a target.
Keep rotating the players.
Have a feeder pass the ball to the kicker.
As the pass is being made another player runs to one of the boxes.
The kicker then goes for to kick for the spare box.
In the meantime, the other player can run back to the spare box, or stay in his own box.
This keeps the kicker looking to make quick decisions.
Score a point for a kick into the box, and a point for the receiver if he catches the ball.
TECHNIQUE
Drop the ball down the middle of the body before kicking.
Develop your players’ ability to jump to catch a high ball under pressure. This session aims to give your players more confidence. A jump to catch a high ball is not just a vertical jump. The player has to be moving into the space in front of them to dominate the situation. MORE
Avoid aimless kicking from your kickers. Give them targets and then, as they develop, make them look to kick to space and adjust to before they kick. Help players develop their understanding of how to receive a pass so they can be in a good position to kick to where they want. MORE
Develop the skills and tactics to return the ball from kicks to the sides of the pitch, between the 15m and 5m lines. A cross kick can isolate the defending winger. He needs to use kicking and running skills to avoid being caught away from his support. MORE
This small-sided game is ideal to work on players kick chase and keeping the ball alive in attack. You can use this as a standalone skills game or have it as a platform to launch a bigger game of touch and pass from. Thanks to Simon Parsons, Women and Girls Director of Rugby for Tunbridge Wells RFC and Kent U15s Girls Head Coach for this activity. MORE
Develop rugby rounders into a skills development game specifically aimed at improving kicking techniques and tactics. While there are also good outcomes for catching and passing, I want to focus on the precision of the connection between ball and boot and then finding space with the kick. MORE
Develop a long passing counter-attack game which includes accurate kicking, fielding and moving the ball to space out of your 22. Use this whole pitch exercise to work on the right skills. In a territorial kicking game, your backfield cover needs to be confident to field kicks, pass long and either kick long or run back. MORE