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Rugby kicking

Rugby kicking adds a new dimension to your game when you do it well. Know a few, practice and you are able to make a bigger contribution to the game.

It is important you are able to kick well.
To kick well you place the ball well...
...ready to be kicked.
So first you handle well...
...then you start using the boot.

Rugby kicking based on rugby basics

Before you are able to do anything...
...with the rugby ball in a game...
...you must control the ball.

You may already hold the ball well...
...if not make sure you work on it above all else

When you are well on you way...
....perhaps, it`s time to get off on the right foot...
...with rugby kicking basics.

Spiral punt

You kick with various... Spiral punt kick of a rugby ball

...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. Spiral punt kick

Find out more about 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...
...when it returns to ground level.
This gives your side...
...the opportunity to get the ball back.
Up and under kick
Find out more about rugby kicking...
...how you do an up and under

Chip kick

In rugby kicking the chip kick is used...
...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 more about 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...
...similar to the rolling version...
...except that they roll end over end...
...which causes them...
...to 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 more about 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.
To 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...
...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.

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

Find out more about how you take a place kick

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