Rugby: Kicking over the void

The aim of the drill improve Height and accuracy of the kick.  

The aim of the drill improve kick offs and accuracy.

Two team of 4. 40m x 20m area. The aim of the game is to kick / punt the ball into the oppositions half. If the ball bounces on the ground or is knocked on (from a grubber-kick) then you get 1 point. If the ball is caught cleanly then no points are scored.

5 players working with 1 ball in a grid 20 by 20 meters, working on their grubber kicks and punts. One player stands on each corner of the grid. Players must kick the ball to each other whilst the player in the middle attempts to intercept the ball. If the kick is intercepted the kicker becomes the chaser.

Grid: 10 x 20 or 30 (depending on age) with up to 4 balls, depending on age/ability of players. Players kick from one group to the other. Keep as many balls in the air as possible to sharpen kicking/calling and catching skills. Catchers must identify ball they intend to catch. Lose points for dropped balls or inaccurate kicks (i.e. too far or too short.)

Drill to practice short kicks to an attacking player. Set up a square roughly 10m x 10m, with an even number of players behind each cone (see diagram). One player starts with the ball and runs out a few metres before kicking the ball to the player on his right for them to run on to. Once he has performed the kick he keeps running and joins the back of the line opposite him. This player runs on to the ball and gathers it, before continuing running in a straight line and passing the ball to the first person in the line opposite. He then joins the back of the line. Progression: Start with chip kicks, and then move on to grubber kicks. Introduce a second ball Change the direction the drill is being run (i.e. kick to the left instead of the right) Change the foot which the player is kicking the ball with.

One player starts with ball and runs to first cone, where he kicks the ball across to the other cone. The other player must time his run to collect the ball. He should be collecting the ball as near to full pace as he can. Either a grubber or a chip kick can be used. With a chip kick, the receiving player should try to catch the ball on the full.

Split the group into two teams. One player from each team goes to the oppositions end and starts in the end zone. The aim of the game is for each team to kick a grubber kick through to their team mate the other end of the grid in the end zone. When a ball gets through to a player in the end zone the player that kicks the ball goes to join them. The winner is the first team to get all their players in the end zone.

Game to practice controlling the ball. Set up two goals (roughly 2m wide) opposite each other about 5m away (red cones - see digram). Each player has to defend their goal while the other player tries to score by grubber kicking the ball through the goal. The player in goal tries to gather the ball, and then kick it back to try and score. PROGRESSIONS: Pass the ball instead of grubber kicking it. Make the passes low and difficult to catch Make the goals wider so there is more space to defend The player in goal should face away from the player with the ball, when the player with the ball shouts the goal-keeper must turn around and try to defend their goal.

Two teams with one team in the middle. Each player has to kick the ball over the the middle team for a member of the other team to catch. The catcher then gives a pop pass for the next member of the team to kick over. If one of the middle team intercepts the ball they swap over with the team that kicked the ball.

2 players working together, about 4m apart. One player punt kicks the ball to the hands of the other. Create a competitive edge by having teams of 2 compete against each other for the most kicks in a minute, this increases pressure on technique. Alternately 10 kicks from one distance and take a step back - if a mis kick given, start from the beginning.

• The aim of the drill is to develop kickers through the gate and keeping square onto the kick.

The aim of the drill is to develop kickers side on round the corner kick. 

The aim of the drill is to develop kickers hand to foot drop.  

The aim of the drill is to develop the spiral kick.

The aim of the drill is to perfect the hand to foot process.

The aim of the drill is to develop reactive long kicking game. 

The aim of the drill is to develop reactive short kicking game. 

4 teams of 2 players, with 2 teams at each end. One player from the 1st team starts with the ball. The player with the ball runs forward and chip kicks the ball on for their team mate to come from an on side position and recovers the ball, taking it at pace. The player then runs on and hands the ball off the player in the next group. The next group repeats the drill.

4 teams of 2 players, with 2 teams at each end. One player from the 1st team starts with the ball. The player with the ball runs forward and grubber kicks the ball on for their team mate to come from an on side position and recovers the ball, taking it at pace. The player then runs on and hands the ball off the player in the next group. The next group repeats the drill.