The Kicking Game

1. The Kicking Game

2. Why is it so important? • RWC STATS - Semi finals & finals • You have to get there to score the points • Attacking weapon • The cross kick • The chip kick • The grubber kick • Puts opposition under pressure • Restarts • Up & Unders • Penalty kick for touch creates great attacking platform

3. Most important areas of the game – RASSIE ERASMUS • CONDITIONING • THE KICKING GAME When these two areas are in place you can score the tries!!!

4. Key factors for an effective kicking game • Basic skills required to play the game • Catching and passing • First phase possession • Breakdown skills • “Lingo” and players that can communicate • Personnel

5. Clear plan • Two schools of thought • Where on the field do we want to play our rugby? • Communicate the plan clearly • Every kick is as good as the line chase that follows the kick • Practicing the kicking game • It is a very important part of your preparation – make time • It is a facet that needs to be practiced • Analysing the opposition is crucial for formulating your plan • The specialist

6. Constructing a kicking game plan • Areas of play • Defensive zone • Attacking zone • What is your school of thought? • Conservative of creative? • Identify the correct personnel • First phase possession • Catching and passing • Breakdown • Decision makers • Kickers

7. The plan: 1. Relieve the pressure • Create time and space for kicker 2. Kick to contest • Isolate a weak catcher 3. Pull them up and make them turn • Hit grass behind them • Chase line • Second line • Third line • Win the tennis through patience • Create an opportunity to “gamble”

8. TIPS • Analysis of opposition • Pick up on defensive patterns • Identify weak catchers and turners • Equipment • Balls • A right footed & left footed kicker is a bonus • Practice as close to match circumstances as possible • Repetition is key • An Example:

9. Kicking technique • Specialised coaching from an early age • Wilkinson – 13 years old • Practice the correct techniques from the start • Bad habits takes years to correct

10. General pointers • Bal placement - Wilkinson • The golf swing – Basic principles • BODY MOVEMENT • TOES DOWN • HEAD OVER THE BALL • ROUTINE IS KEY • The mental game

11. The place kick A straight leg = consistency • Starts with the kicking tee • Correct alignment • Angle of approach • Distance from the ball • Focus on the spot • Approach it slow and small • Arm up for balance • Big last step for good coil • Plant foot next to the ball

12. Head down = momentum • Eye on the spot = it will pull you through • Strike it on the right spot • Straight leg • Foot towards target • Plant foot must move forward • Hips towards target • Repetition • Eliminate bad habits

13. The touch kick • Torpedo • Alignment & grip • Approach is slow and small • Straight arms • A perfect release is the key • Head over the ball • Toes down for power • Big last step for a good coil • Strike it on the outside half of the foot • Plant foot move • Straight leg for power • Hips towards the target • Drop punt • Alignment & grip • Approach is slow and small • Straight arms • A perfect release is the key • Head over the ball • Toes down for power • Big last step for a good coil • Strike it on top of the foot • Plant foot move • Straight leg for power • Hips towards the target

14. Practice makes perfect