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 player.
Kicking basics - common to good kicks
Before you can do anything with the rugby ball in a game you must control the ball.
Rugby kicking
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
Be sure you develop both skills at the same time.
Best start at rugby kicking basics.
Different kicks in rugby
There are a number of different kicks in rugby, used for various reasons in different circumstances.
Just scroll down or Select a kick...
Kick for starts, restarts, field goals
Kick for penalty shots at goal, conversions
Kick long to gain ground
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.
Some call it "kicking out of hand".
You place the ball at an angle and kick the ball so that spin is applied.
Find out exactly how to do a spiral punt.
If you "find touch" (kick the ball out of play across the touch line) play is restarted with a lineout.
Several factors determine where the lineout takes place. Find more about this where the 22 metre line is explained on the rugby field page.
Kick high to gain ground
The ball is kicked often in rugby, probably too often.
When you catch, pass and run with the ball you control the ball.
Kicking high
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. Your team then has the best possible opportunity and may re-gain possession.
One way of doing this with rugby kicking is to kick the ball high.
You will usually gain ground and give team-mates time to run and be under the ball when it returns to ground level.
You give your side the opportunity to get the ball back.
Find out how to kick the ball high, exactly how to do an up and under.
Short kick for chasers
You use this kick to move the ball over defenders instead of carrying the ball through their defensive line.
Chipping for chasers
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 opposition and into the space behind them.
Find out exactly how to do a chip kick.
Grubber, smooth - best into ingoal area
You put grubbers through defensive lines.
Smooth grubber
In rugby, kicking grubbers which roll is a clever ploy.
They travel on the ground and you kick them through for yourself or other attacking players to run on to.
It is usually 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`s on the ground most of the time so it is easy to "ground" the ball for a try.
Find out more about how to do a rolling grubber kick.
Grubber, not so smooth
This is a short to medium kick.
It is similar to the rolling version except that it rolls end over end which makes them bounce up from time to time, a little unpredictably.
Because the ball bounces high at times it is ideal for attacking players to run on to and take it in full stride, around waist to chest height.
The bouncing is also a real problem for defenders. They may misjudge the bounce and knock on, or it may even bounce over them.
They then have to turn and chase it with attackers right behind them.
This grubber requires skill and timing by both the kicker and the chaser and is an important part of your rugby kicking toolbox.
Find out exactly how to do a bouncing grubber kick.Kick for game starts, restarts, field goals
This is a special kick for special circumstances.
Field goal attempt
It must touch the ground before you kick it.
When you perform this kick 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 it.
This kick is used for starting and restarting the game and in some circumstances for attempting to convert tries.
You can kick so as to maximise height gained so you allow your players more time to get to the ball.
You can also kick them to maximise distance so you gain as much ground as possible and move the ball away from dangerous defensive situations.
Find out just exactly how to do this, the drop kick.Kick for penalty shots at goal, conversions
This is a kick you can use to score points for your team.
You place the ball on the ground or on a kicking tee then kick the ball, aiming to get it over the cross bar of the goal posts.
Taking a conversion
You use this kick for attempting to convert tries and when you`ve been awarded a penalty and decide to kick for goal.
Two major styles are used for these kicks.
- The toe end style, where you approach the ball straight on and kick using the toe of your boot
- The instep style. 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. It may be upright or sloping.
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 kicks are rewarded, you gain points for the team.
Find out exactly how to take a place kick.
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