Drop kick

The drop kick is used often in rugby. Ball must bounce before being kicked. It is used for starting and restarting games. You can get points for field goals (drop goals).

When, where and why use a drop kick

The laws of the game specify this kick must be used when starting each half of a rugby match and for 22 metre re-starts of the game

You can also score points.

When you put the ball over the opposition cross-bar with this type of kick during the general course of play you get 3 points for your team.

It`s called a "field-goal" or "drop-goal".

You are allowed to do it at any time during play and from anywhere on the pitch.

Field goals become more difficult as you get further from the posts and / or nearer the touch lines. It's rare to be successful from beyond the half-way line.

An attempt at goal tends to be regarded as an admission that the opposition defence is too good for you to score tries.

You may also use this kick to convert tries instead of using a place kick. This done rarely, when saving time is important.

How to do a drop kick

Players hold the ball in a number of ways. This is what I prefer.

Drop kick of a rugby ball starting position Drop kick, start

Hold the ball in both hands about waist height either vertical or pointing down and away from you as you prefer.

One hand is high and behind steadying the ball one hand below balancing the ball on your fingertips.

Swing it gently upwards and slightly outwards to about chest 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 in front of 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 towards your foot maintaining the correct positioning of the ball.

Drop kick of a rugby ball in progress

As you are positioning the ball you are also stepping into the kick.

You bring your leg through at the same time the ball arrives at foot height after bouncing on the ground and Whack!

Your foot strikes the ball.

You can hit the ball straight on, with the boney top of your foot or use the inside of your foot.

You may want to kick the ball higher to allow chasers time to get under the landing area of the ball.

If so, pull your toes back to form a scoop at your ankle joint and use a scooping action with your leg/foot as you kick.

For distance hit the ball harder and on a lower trajectory.

Always follow through whichever action you are using for accuracy and distance.

A field goal might just win you the game

A field goal, often called a drop goal is sometimes all that is between winning and losing - even in the Rugby World Cup. Here`s another example...

It looks as though they should have sent it out to the backs when they had the defence outnumbered but it`s always hard when you`re in the thick of things!