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Spiral punt

The spiral punt is a valuabe kick in rugby. Mainly for long kicks to gain ground in general play, kicking for touch or penalties. Does have variations.

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 skills...

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

Why use the spiral punt

The spiral punt is an accurate kick...
...used to make maximum distance gains.

The way you position the ball...
...on your foot...
...means a large area of contact...
...between your foot and the ball.
Minor variations in placement...
...have only a small effect...
...on the accuracy of your kick.

How do you spiral punt kick a rugby ball

The real starting position of the kick...
...is a little earlier...
... but see that in the video.
Spiral punt of a rugby ball starting position

Hold the ball in both hands...
...pretty level with the ground...
...slanting away from you...
...across your body.
One hand is over the ball...
...one hand is under
.
Swing it up to shoulder height...
...then remove your lifting hand...
...from under the ball.

Now you have the ball at arms length...
...perfectly positioned for the kick...
...just as in the image.

As you step forward to kick...
...the ball hangs there under your...
...out-stretched fingers and thumb...
...moulded to the shape of the ball.
Gently remove your hand... Spiral punt starting position
...as the ball starts to drift down...
...towards your foot...
...which is coming through to kick

This guides the ball down...
...towards your foot...
...maintaining the correct positioning...
...of the ball.

As you are positioning the ball... Spiral punt of a rugby ball finishing positions

Spiral punt of a rugby ball finishing positions

...you are also stepping...
...into the kick.

You bring your leg through...
...at the same time the ball arrives...
...at foot height...
...and WALLOP!

You strike the ball...
...with the bony part...
...high on your foot...
...the part covered by your laces.

Point your toes and kick...
...in a straight line...
...towards your intended target.

Spin is applied naturally...
...to the ball.
No other effort is required.

Experiment with the angle...
...you hold the ball.
That angle...
...and where the ball...
...strikes your foot... Spiral punt finishing position
...determine the amount of spin.

Remember to follow through...
...for best accuracy and...
...maximum distance.

Practice kicking along straight lines on the field.
This gives you plenty of feedback...
...about whether you are accurate...
...and whether you kick a long way.

Go for accuracy first.
Putting the ball consistently where you want it...
...is most important. Distance will build.

Close-up views of the spiral punt

Spiral punt, foot about to strike the rugby ball

Spiral punt, foot about to strike the ball

The ball would probably be better...
...angled it bit more away from me...
...but doing it specially for the camera...
...affects my concentration!

Note the pointed toe...
...presenting the bony mass of the foot.

Spiral punt, foot strikes the rugby ball

Spiral punt, foot strikes the rugby ball

Spiral punt, foot strikes the ball

The ball does look to be too much across the foot.
More angle would be better...
...but most are good, long, accurate, spiralling kicks...
...and this was no exception.

Main points

good rugby handling skills required
place the ball downwards onto the foot
ball angled across foot
strike with bony top of foot, toes pointed
follow through for accuracy and distance

Return from Spiral punt to Rugby kicking

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia