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Rugby kicking

Good rugby kicking can be vital. Learn and practice these special kicks for different situations. When you know how to kick a rugby ball well you are a key part of your team.

Kicking basics

Before you can do anything
with the rugby ball in a game Rugby kicking

you must control the ball.

Handle the ball well and it is more likely
you will kick well.

Put the ball in the right place so
your foot strikes it correctly and
your kicks will be accurate

You place the ball consistently well when
you have good handling skills so be sure you
develop both skills at the same time

For the best possible start,
read rugby kicking basics.

Rugby kicking

Spiral punt

You kick with various objectives in mind.

Often your rugby kicking is to gain ground.

You can do this with a long kick
into unoccupied space on the field
or with a kick for touch.

In both these cases a spiral punt would do the trick.

When you make the kick
you release the ball from your hands
and kick the ball before it touches the floor.

You place the ball at an angle
and kick the ball so that spin is applied.

Find out exactly how you do the spiral punt

The high ball... the up and under

The ball is kicked often in rugby
probably too often.

When you catch, pass and run with the ball
you control the ball.
Up and under kick of a rugby ball

When you kick the ball
you lose control.

Rugby kicking sends the ball
   into a grey area
where neither team has control.

If you must kick
make it difficult for the opposition
then your team has the best possible
opportunity
and may re-gain possession.

One way of doing this
with rugby kicking
is to kick the ball high.

This will usually gain ground
and give team-mates time
to run and be under the ball Up and under kick
when it returns to ground level.

This gives your side
the opportunity to get the ball back.

Find out more about rugby kicking,
  exactly how you do an up and under

Chip kick

You use the chip kick
to move the ball over defenders
instead of carrying the ball Chip kick of a rugby ball

through their defensive line.

The chip is usually a short range kick
perhaps in the 10 - 25 metre range.

You make the kick
by dropping th ball onto your boot
and gently kicking
so as to get the ball over the oppossition Chip kick
and into the space behind them.

Find out exactly how you do a chip kick

Rolling grubber kick

You put grubbers through defensive lines.

In rugby, kicking rolling grubbers is a clever ploy.

They travel on the ground
and you kick them through
for yourself or other attacking players
to run on to. Grubber kick
Grubber kick of a rugby ball

The rolling grubber is a short kick.
The ball stays on the ground
rolling on the short circumference
and the path it travels
is fairly predictable

This is an attacking kick.
You use this kick
when you are close to
the opposition try-line
to put the ball into the in-goal area.

It is on the ground most of the time
so it is easy to "ground" the ball
for a try.

Find out more about
how you do a rolling grubber kick.

Bouncing grubber kick

The bouncing grubber in rugby kicking
is a short to medium kick.

It is similar to the rolling version
except that they roll end over end
which makes them bounce up from time to time.

Because the ball bounces high at times
it is ideal for attacking players
to run on to and take it in full stride.

This requires skill and timing
by both the kicker and the chaser
but is an important part
of rugby kicking

Find out exactly how you do a bouncing grubber kick

Drop kick

Drop kicks are used only
in special circumstances.

When you perform the drop kick Drop kick of a rugby ball

you drop the ball to the ground
on one of the pointed ends.
After the ball strikes the ground
and starts to rise
you kick the ball.
It must touch the ground
before you kick it.

The drop kick is used for
starting and restarting the game
and in some circumstances
for attempting to convert tries.

Drop kicks can be kicked
so as to maximise height gained
to allow kicking team players
more time to get to the ball.
Drop kick
They can also be kicked
to maximise distance
to gain as much ground as possible
and move the ball away from
a dangerous defensive situation.

Find out more about how you do a drop kick

Place kick of a rugby ball

Place kick

Some forms of rugby kicking
earn points for the team.

The place kick is one of them.

When you take a place kick
you place the ball on the ground
or on a kicking tee
then kick it at the goal posts.

You use the place kick
for attempting to convert tries
and when you have been awarded a
penalty and decide to kick for goal.
Place kick

Two major styles are used for place kicks.

Toe place kick

You kick straight on using
the toe of your boot

Instep place kick

Also known as "round the corner" kicking
where you approach from an angle
and kick the ball with your instep.

Aim of both toe and instep kicks

Whichever method of kicking you use
you place the ball, upright or sloping a little,
so it is pointing towards the posts.

You then take several steps backwards.

You then walk or run towards the ball
and kick it
with the aim of getting it
both between the uprights
and over the cross-bar of the posts.

Successful place kicks
are rewarded, you gain points for the team.

Find out exactly how you take a place kick

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