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Place kick

You use a place kick in rugby for conversion attempts and penalty kicks at goal. When you are a skillful kicker you earn extra points for your team.

Start your good rugby with the basics

Build good rugby skills from the ground up.
A kick is easier if...
...you have good rugby handling...

...and you know your rugby kicking basics.
.

Why use a place kick

You can earn additional points...
...for your team...
...in certain circumstances...
...when you are a skillful kicker.

After a try has been scored...
...it can be "converted" .
Extra points are awarded for a successful conversion.
It involves kicking the ball...
...both over the opposition cross-bar...
...and between their posts.
For more details see rugby tries.

Points are also awarded...
...for doing the same from a penalty kick.

The attempts may be made using a drop kick...
...but you would rarely do that...
...because place kicks tend to be more accurate.

How do you take a place kick

You place the ball on the ground...
...or on a kicking tee...
...and point it at the goals.
I like to have one of the seams...
...directly on top...
...pointing directly at the black dot...
...on the goal post cross-bar.

Measure out a run up...
...I need a fair run up for longer kicks!

Then run up and kick the ball...
...over the cross-bar...
...and between the posts.

But it is slightly more complicated...
...because there are two main styles...
...or methods used.

Toe place kick

Toe place kick starting position

Toe place kick finishing position

For this kick...
...place the ball as in the image...
...sloping upwards towards the target.
Move back from the ball...
..to allow paces or a run up to the ball...
...prior to kicking.
Find the exact distance...
...by trial and error...
...and remember it may vary...
...depending on the length of kick required.

Approach the ball in a direct line...
...so that when you kick straight...
...it will send the ball...
...straight towards the target.
With the toe of your boot...
...you strike the point of the ball.

Instep place kick

Instep place kick starting position

Instep place kick finishing position

For this kick...
...place the ball upright as in the image...
...or sloping, either...
...towards or away fom the target.
Use trial and error...
...to find which you prefer.
Move back from the ball...
..to allow paces or a run up to the ball...
...prior to kicking.
Move at an angle to the ball...
...finishing at roughly 45 degrees away from the ball.
Find the exact angle and distance...
...by trial and error...
...and be aware it may vary...
...depending on the length of kick you have to make.

Approach the ball...
...from your position...
...to the side of the ball...
...swinging your leg round in an arc...
...aiming to strike the ball...
...with your instep...
...when your foot is traveling...
...directly towards your target.

Play about and find out...
...what method suits you best.
Then practice to improve your skill.

Start off with short kicks...
...to build your skill and style...
work up to longer distances...
when you kick consistently well.

This gives you plenty of feedback...
...about whether or not you are accurate...
...and when you are kicking well to the target area.

Follow through

Follow through for either method.
This is extremely important...
...for both accuracy...
...and distance.

Main points

place the ball carefully and exactly
ball must be pointing at the target!!!
kicking tee appears to improve performance
follow through with the kicking actions and run up

Return from Place kick to Rugby kicking

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia