Rugby Kicking Technique

Place the rugby ball on the kicking tee, ensuring it is stable and level.

Orient the valve on the rugby ball to your preferred position (e.g., valve down or valve up), avoiding having it on the side of the ball.

Adjust the seams on the rugby ball to your desired orientation, ensuring they are not causing the ball to wobble or affecting the ball flight.

If you're using a low kicking tee, roll the ball out or lean it forward to expose the sweet spot for better contact.

Decide on the size of the target you want to aim for, such as a specific object or a small area on the ground.

Find a long target on the ground, 20-30 meters beyond the goal posts, that aligns with your desired ball flight path.

Concentrate your gaze on the long target, visualizing the ball flight path and aiming for a specific point on the target.

Position yourself at a 45-degree angle to the ball, ensuring your feet, hips, chest, and head are aligned and facing the back of the ball.

Take a slow and controlled first step to build momentum gradually, avoiding a quick and rushed approach that can throw off your balance.

Set up markers on the ground to practice your approach, ensuring you consistently hit the same spot at the back of your mark.

Keep your plant foot soft and balanced, allowing you to cushion your body and maintain momentum through the kick.

Before the kick, extend your rodeo arm (non-kicking arm) back, in line with your chest, to store energy and generate power.

At the moment of impact, align your rodeo arm with your target, ensuring it is pointing in the direction you want the ball to travel.

After impact, continue the motion by bringing your rodeo arm across your body, helping with the flexion and follow-through of the kick.

Identify the position where you feel the strongest and most powerful during the kick, and aim to have your plant foot land at that point.

Experiment with different plant foot positions (behind, in line with, or in front of the tee) to find the one that allows you to generate the most power and maintain balance.

Ensure you have enough space between your plant foot and the ball to avoid crowding and maintain proper form during the kick.

Point your toes down and lock your kicking foot in a plantar flexed position, exposing the hard foot knuckle for a powerful strike.

For goal kicks, adjust your foot position to strike the ball at a higher point, allowing for the desired elevation and ball flight.

Adjust your foot position based on the height of the kicking tee, ensuring you can strike the ball cleanly and expose the sweet spot.

Position your hips and body behind the ball, allowing you to generate power and transfer energy efficiently during the kick.

Keep your hips extended and avoid sitting back during the kick, as this can limit your power and follow-through.

After impact, maintain momentum by hopping through and continuing your body motion in the direction of the target, winning the half-meter after the ball.

Keep your focus on the target and the ball throughout the entire kicking motion, avoiding the temptation to look up too early.

Commit to the follow-through and complete the kicking motion, ensuring you maintain momentum and balance until the end.

Ensure your nose remains over your toes throughout the kick, indicating that you are maintaining proper body positioning and follow-through.

Determine the reason for the missed kick, whether it was due to a quick first step, lack of follow-through, or misjudging the wind.

Symbolically wipe your boot to "park" the missed kick, acknowledging that it has passed and allowing you to move on to your next task.

Shift your focus to the next kick, maintaining a positive mindset and applying any lessons learned from the missed kick.