KICKING STRATEGY
Strategy
A plan of action resulting from, or intended to accomplish a specific goal or goals.
Why Have a Kicking Strategy?
To develop and implement a kicking strategy (KS) it is primarily important to understand why a team has a KS
and what the goals are from using a KS. Some ideas:
1. Most efficient way of gaining territory.
2. Most effective way of finding open spaces on the pitch.
3. Keeps the opposition away from point-scoring range.
4. Brings a variation to your game plan.
5. Reduces physical collisions.
6. Effects of the weather and pitch conditions.
What Does a KS Involve?
Your KS should involve all aspects of the kicking game relating to field position and tactics.
1. Exit Sets – Strategies to clear your defensive line.
2. To Gain Territory – Looking for space and turning the opposition.
3. “The Kicking Battle” – Strategies to win the “kick-tennis” duel.
4. Attacking Kicks – Regain possession and score tries.
1. Exit Sets
A strategy of play to enable a team to clear their defensive line in an effective way, either into touch or down
field.
Principles
• Kick on the front foot and not under pressure – You don’t have to kick direct from first phase. Try to give
your kickers more time by running two or three phases prior to the kick.
• Manipulate your principal kicker into a favoured area of the field – Most kickers will have an area/side of
the pitch they prefer to kick from. Running a couple of phases will get your kickers into these positions.
• Have two or more options – Keep the opposition guessing with a variety of clearance kicking options. This
will relieve pressure on the principal kicker.
• The whole team should understand their role – Every player will have a role to play on the exit set,
whether it be blocking, staying back or part of the chase team.
2. To Gain Territory
A strategy to move your team up the field in the most efficient way possible.
Principles:
• “Turf and Turn” is the saying used by England when executing these kicks; meaning the goals are to make
sure the ball hits the ground (turf) rather than being caught on the full and also to “turn” the opposition by
exerting pressure on them with a good chase.
Have various options (e.g. 9, 10 and 15 can all clear your lines)
Various options – looking for maximum distance OR into wide channels Ideal Areas For Clearance Kicks
Ideal kicking areas for territory gain
KICKING BATTLE
• Keep the ball in play if possible. Ideally, the ball should end up from touchline to the 15m line in the
opposition 22.
• Execute from a central position, giving options of both corners and keep the opposition full back guessing
as he can’t cover both corners.
• The whole team has a role to play: chase, back field players etc, so make sure everyone knows the kick
option is on.
3. The Kicking Battle
The team goal should be that after the kicking has ended the team end up in an attacking area of the field or
in possession.
Achieving both would be an ideal outcome.
The major question is – “When to counter-attack and run the ball back and when to kick?”
Principles:
• Consider the area of the pitch where the ball is caught or retrieved – If the ball is retrieved within your 22,
the best option would be to kick into touch to enable the defence to reorganise and defend from a set piece
rather than a broken field. Outside the 22 is a chance to counter-attack.
• Consider the support you have with you – teams will generally run a counter-attack if they have five
teammates available to support. Hence the importance of the strategy about who drops back and who
chases.
• Assess the opposition chase line and pressure – try to assess the quality of the opposition chase. Other
teammates can help the ball retriever by communicating the time s/he may have, etc.
• State of the Game – the score line may determine the decision to run or kick. Losing with minutes to go
may mean you need to run the ball back in order to get a winning score.
4. Attacking Kicks
Approximately 20% of tries are a result of an attacking kick. The biggest open space on the field is often
behind the defensive line. If you don’t regain possession, there is still a chance for turn over by pressurising
the opposition player retrieving the kick.
Types of attacking kicks
• Cross field kick
i. The trajectory should vary depending on the opposition positioning.
ii. From first phase it is possible (again depends on opposition positioning).
iii. Chasers must stay onside and be committed to winning the ball back.
iv. Support chasers must also be up with the play for any tap back (Rugby League style).
Crossfield
• Chip Kicks
i. Chip over oncoming defensive line.
ii. Chip kicks need accurate trajectory and distance in order to regain possession.
iii. Kick away from any covering sweeper (usually 9).
iv. There must be a commitment to regaining the ball.
v. The kick must be executed close to defensive line for maximum gain (high risk).
Reverse Chip
• Grubber
i. A short ‘nudge’ through defensive line.
ii. The distance is key (most will be kicked too hard).
iii. The ball should roll end over end so it may bounce up for the chasers.
iv. Kick away from any sweepers (usually 9).
v. Executed in the face of the defence, giving the impression you will ball carry into defensive line, then drop
the ball onto the foot.
• Bomb
i. High kick or box kick from 9.
ii. Look to create extreme pressure on the receiving, opposition player.
iii. Chasers must be committed to competing for the ball.
iv. The length of kick is crucial, enabling the chasers to compete for the ball.
Conclusions
KS are becoming more important as rugby progresses. With the effect of defensive systems improving every
season, new ways are needed to unlock the opposition. Kicking is an ideal way to counter the improvements
in defences.