1. Kicking for pressure

Additional pressure can be placed on the opposition by kicking. This means making defences work hard to catch or gather and then return the ball.

The two simple tactics to use are the high ball and the "wiper" kick (a diagonal kick away from the forwards). The high ball should aim to have ball and chaser meet catcher all at the same time. The wiper aims to drag defending players out of position.

A mix of these two kicks can push sides into defending deeper – in other words there should be more gaps in the defensive line as wingers and full backs track back.

2. Kicking for position

Kicking for position happens in the opposition’s half and takes your team to places where you want to be. Kicks to the corners are a good way of exerting pressure and creating scoring opportunities.

Kicking for position can mean the ball either rolls into touch or the opposition has to field the ball and possibly give away a lineout as they clear the danger. Kicking for position requires good chasers, but also players who track back to field return kicks.

3. Kicking for disruption

Chip kicks, grubber kicks and cross kicks are all methods of going over or through the defence with the aim of giving yourself an excellent chance of retrieving the ball.

This works most effectively when the defensive line has been difficult to break down and you want to create forward momentum.

Which kicking tactic is best for you?

Before the game look at the conditions, your side and the opposition – decide what sort of game you want to use: pressure, positional or disrupting. Then stick with this.

Chasers and kickers will now know their roles and the forwards especially will be able to understand where they will need to run.

If the plan changes, do it at half time when the players have been re-briefed.

But for most sides, the type of game might be decided at the start of the season and kept from then on.

This article is from Match Day Tactics.