1 of your 2 free articles
The kick-off basics
1. As a principle, get your best catchers to take the kick offs, and not just the locks. However, the tallest players do have an advantage.
2. The supporting players must communicate to the catcher. They need to warn them of the pressure coming from the opposition and be there to bind once the ball has been caught.
3. The catcher should have their shoulders square to the reception of the ball. These means a miscatch goes backwards. It also presents a strong body position to the oncoming opposition players.
5. Take tips from the full back. Any decent full back will tell you these things, but do you practise these skills with your kick off catchers?
6. A normal kick off comes from the left, as the defenders face it. Therefore it is predominantly taken by the left arm/hand of the lock/player facing towards the kick.
Consequently, practise one hand high ball catches with the left arm/hand only. The ball is best thrown high by a team member for this drill, rather than kicked.
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.