Articles
Kicking articles
Kicking in all forms is playing an increasing role in the game.
We have it covered for you with kicking skills and tactics videos for all types of kicking at all levels of the game from some of the game's most successful kickers including Dan Carter, Leigh Halfpenny, Baden Kerr, Valentin Cruz, Bryce Shearer, Hamish Webb and others.
Plus we have categorised them by playing level to make it easier for you to find:
- Y – youth
- HS – high school
- A – adult
- All – suitable for all levels
Why Super Rugby Pacific was right to drop ‘Dupont’s Law’ from SRP 2024Super Rugby Pacific have dumped World Rugby’s “Dupont’s Law” for their 2024 competition. As Nick Bishop details using the recent Scotland v France 6N’s match they have good reason to.
How to construct an effective kick-chase gameAny team looking to build up solid fundamentals in a contestable kicking strategy, England’s RWC2023 semi final performance is great example.
Nick Bishop details how their kick-chase nearly took them to winning the game.
Why the ‘droppie’ may be coming back into fashion!Nick Bishop details how drop goals like George Ford’s are a simple and risk-free method of keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
How to beat the pressure with both feetHowever rare the genuinely ambidextrous may be, it is still important for rugby players at all levels to cultivate the same ability to ‘play both ways’ as Nick Bishop highlights in this week’s analysis using France’s No 9 Dupont as his prime example.
Why ‘pocket protection’ is so important under the box-kickThe cross-fertilization of ideas between collision sports is on the increase.
American Football Pass Protection designed for the Offensive Line to shield the Quarterback who wants to throw the ball downfield is the latest IP transfer to rugby as Nick Bishop illustrates in this week’s analysis.
How to split the middle with your kicking gameIn open play as well as from formal restarts, the kick straight up the middle is becoming an increasingly viable option for the side in possession. Nick Bishop explains why this trend has recently started and how it is being executed in this week’s analysis.
Latest trends in the kicking game from San JuanHardly a week goes by in the international game, without further proof of the value of a well-directed kicking game.
Using the recent Argentina Vs Wallabies match, Nick Bishop highlights why it is one of the keys to success at any level of the game, whatever your preferred style of play as
How to use the kicking game against 14 menWhy use the kicking game against 14 men?
It is easy to see ‘run’ rather than ‘kick’ when your opponent loses a player to the sin-bin, but as Nick Bishop highlights from recent internationals, there are good reasons to kick.
How to use the left-footed kicking game to your advantageA good left boot could help stretch the backfield defence to both corners of the field. The recent tour match between Ireland and the Maori All Blacks was an object lesson in the importance of left-footed kicking.
Is the box-kick exit going out of fashion?How to successfully pressure the box? Nick Bishop illustrates how teams are now finding ways to pressure the box kick even with ‘caterpillar’ protection.
How to take your kicking game on an upward spiralAt the level of individual technique, some ‘amateur’ techniques which still give added value have been prematurely discarded in the professional game. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how in the hands of an experienced operator, the spiral punt can still be an effective attack option.
Can the new trial kicking laws add value to the game?The pith of the new trial laws is to reduce the impact of defensive line-speed and the number of bodies in the defensive line, by increasing the value of the kicking game to the attacking side. Analyst Nick Bishop looks at how effective they are proving in this year’s Super Rugby.
Where is the sweet spot for the box kick?In most instances the touchline is usually the defence’s best friend’. However, as Nick Bishop points out there are specific situations where the touch-line is most definitely not the defence’s friend. Most of these are connected with the kicking game especially the box kicking game off number 9 (a common feature of exit strategy in the modern game).
Kicking - Using the box kickThere is plenty to consider to ensure the success of the Box Kick as an attacking strategy as Ellis-Rugby’s Dave Ellis illustrates with Conor Murray one of the world’s best.
Kicking and what Role it PlaysAs widely predicted, the RWC kicked off at the weekend and kicking played a key role for many teams both in their attack and defence strategies.
Analyst Dave Ellis from Ellis Rugby looks at the different forms of kicking and why teams use them.
Is the spiral kick becoming a rarity?Murray Kinsella recently spoke to Ronan O’Gara about the spiral kick, O’Gara “actually woke up the other night thinking about it. Who’s spiralling the ball now?” Is the spiral kick option becoming a rarity in the game with players not having the confidence to execute the skill under pressure?
Risk and reward of restartsRestarts are commonly sent long with that the expectation the opposition will clear the ball. Here Murray Kinsella analyses the risks and rewards of the short restart strategy
The art of the kick in behindJonny Sexton and Ireland tried to exploit England’s rush defence by kicking in behind. Unfortunately for the Irish, Sexton lacked the kind of precision that Aaron Cruden showed against them in November.
Kicking CleverThe All Blacks’ have developed kicking skills throughout their backline which allow them to exploit any space or mismatch. Mark Reason discusses how Rugby League’s influence is setting the standard the ABs are following faster than any other union side.
The worlds best goal kicker...During Saturday nights Lions vs Wallabies test, former Wallaby turned commentator Phil Kearns made the comment…
Wayne’s World - KickingNew Zealand’s Rugby World Cup assistant coach Wayne Smith talks KICKING.
