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Rugby kick-off

A rugby kick-off takes place when you start or restart a rugby game - know where to kick the rugby ball and why - it`s important!

Starting and restarting the game

You start each half with drop kick from the centre of the ground. You also restart after each score with a drop kick from the centre of the gound. The ball must go at least 10 metres.

You have several options

Kick deep into opposiition half - good gain in ground but little chance of getting possession when the ball lands.
Kick the minimum permitted distance - not much gain in ground, risk of ball not going the required 10 metres but real opportunity to re-gain control of the ball before the opposition can catch it
Kick to around opposition 22 - reasonable gain in ground, not much chance of regaining possession but in a good position to start applying pressure by keeping the opposition pinned in their own 22 metre area
Kick to the side where the forwards are massed - safest option but exactly what is expected by the opposition
Kick to the less defended side - hoping to catch the opposition off guard allowing fast team mates to scoop up the ball and take advantage of a defensive lapse. Risky, used fairly rarely, maybe when a quick score is needed

Keep the other side guessing - vary your kick - but make sure your players know where it`s going!

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Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia