50:22 game

Here’s how I’ve challenged my players’ kicking and fielding thinking with the law experiment with the 50:22 rule.

INTRODUCTION

This past season I have been trying to evolve our team’s mentality around the kicking game. I’ve been really interested to see the new 50/22 rule being introduced into the Super Rugby AU competition. 

I think it’s great for players to explore where the game might head in the future and also to spark an interest in different competitions around the world.

WORLD RUGBY LAWS

50:22 kick: If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22 or from inside their own 22 into their opponents’ half, they will throw in to the resultant lineout Rationale: To create space via a tactical choice for players to drop back out of the defensive line in order to prevent their opponents from kicking for touch.

HOW TO DO IT

1. Prior to training I would share some video footage of the 50/22 rule in action so they have an idea of what we will be looking at.
2. Set up a full pitch game (if you don’t have that space available create a relevant zone to kick from and to).
3. You may want to keep the rules in from the “Standards Game” for an element of continuity.
4. Players are rewarded if they can kick the ball from their own half and can bounce the ball into touch beyond the opposition 22m line. If they can achieve that then the kicking side are awarded possession of the ball. This could be either a lineout or a free kick.
5. To increase the players willingness to try those types of kicks, I would also give a bonus point to anyone achieving it.

COACHING POINTS

• What types of kicks are going to be most successful for achieving the 50/22? You need to ensure your kick is going to bounce into space primarily.
• How are the backfield going to set up to play this game? Is that going to afford us different opportunities to attack with the ball in hand?
• Are there points of the game where a 50/22 is going to be a consistent option, for example, from counter attack after a kick?
• What does our support play look like to make the most of this rule? Do our wingers stay higher than normal to offer opportunities to regather or defend if the opposition get the ball.

LINKS TO CLIPS

CLIP 1

CLIP 2

CLIP 3