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Chip kick

The chip kick is a valuabe kick in rugby. Mainly used for short kicks over defenders into space behind them for chasers to run on to and re-gain possession.

When, where and why you use the chip kick

The chip kick is used...
...both as a good attacking ploy...
...and a means of ...
..."keeping the defence honest"...
...making them do their job properly.

The chip is like a mini up and under.
You use it infrequently...
...as a surprise attacking ploy.

You are in a situation...
...where you are faced by defenders...
...who are fairly close to you...
and have left unguarded ground behind them.

You chip the ball over their heads...
...and either you...
...or other attackers running from behind you...
...run past the defenders and re-gain possession.

Used like this, you call it...
...a "chip and chase".

The defenders are not allowed to tackle...
...because none of the attackers...
...is carrying the ball.

The attackers sprint past the defenders...
...who are at a disadvantage because...
...they have to turn and chase...
...the ball and the attackers.

Sometimes defenders race up to tackle...
...and make it difficult for you...
...as an attacker...
...to use the ball well.

You use this kick to remind them...
...that not only must they tackle you...
...but they must also defend...
...the whole of their territory...
...or you will make use of it!

How do you do a chip kick

You could say this is...
...a mini up and under.

The only real difference is...
...the chip is a much gentler kick.

For the up and under...
...you put in maximum power...
...to get the ball as high as possible...
...and as far as required.

For the chip kick...
...you put in minimal power...
...just enough to lift the ball...
...over the defenders and far enough...
...to drop it into the space behind them.

Hold the ball in both hands,... Chipr kick of a rugby ball starting position

Chipr kick of a rugby ball starting position

...ball pretty level with the ground...
One hand is above the ball...
...one hand below

The length of the ball...
...is facing straight across your chest.

Swing it up to about waist height...
...then remove your lifting hand...
...from under the ball.

Now you have the ball at bent arms length...
...perfectly positioned for the kick...
...just as in the image.
As you step forward to kick...
...the ball hangs there under
...your out-stretched fingers and thumb...
...moulded to the shape of the ball.
Gently remove your hand...
...as the ball starts to drift down...
...towards your foot...
...which is coming through to kick

This guides the ball down... Chip kick starting position
...towards your foot...
...maintaining the correct positioning...
...of the ball.

As you are positioning the ball... Chip kick of a rugby ball finishing position

Chip kick of a rugby ball finishing position

...you are also stepping...
...into the kick.

You bring your leg through...
...at the same time the ball arrives...
...at foot height...
...and Ding!

Straight legged...
...toes pulled back...
....forming a little u-shaped cup...
...at your ankle.
...You strike the ball...
...in that little cup.

The ball rises very steeply...
...from your foot...
...making it difficult for defenders...
...to charge down or interfere...
...in any way...
..with the flight of the ball.

This kick is usually done while moving...
...and so the follow through... Chip kick finishing position
...is no more than just keep moving...
...as you were before the kick.

Practice chipping over the crossbar of the posts.
Gently trot towards them...
...and chip from close in.
Do it from say 10 metres out to start...
...and gradually work closer...
...as you become more skillful.

Make the ball rise rapidly...
...and have a target, fairly close (10 metres)...
... on the other side of the posts
This gives you plenty of feedback...
...about whether or not you are accurate...
...and when you are kicking well into space.

Main points

good rugby handling skills required for kick and the regather
good rugby kicking basics required
place the ball downwards onto the foot
ball straight across the foot
leg straight, toes pulled back
regather ball, use rugby sidesteps to beat remaining defenders

Return from Chip kick to Rugby kicking

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia