Coach a rugby goalkick routine

For consistent results from goal kicking you need to kick the ball the same way every time. Players should develop routines they feel comfortable with and a key rugby coaching tip is to sing a song, hum or whistle just before the kick. This might sound mad but it modulates breathing and helps players relax before they take the kick.

Rugby goal kick routine

Use the following rugby coaching tips to improve your players' goal-kick routine. Once it is decided that the kick for goal is going to happen, get your players to:

Check conditions (wind, distance).
Line up the ball – most great kickers like to have the seam of the ball in line with the target.
Modulate breathing, so they are breathing regularly.
Pace out their run-up.
Pick a target ahead and the target on the ball.
Kick the goal.
DON’T DEVIATE from this routine.

Key rugby coaching tip

When players focus on a clear target as they're kicking for a goal, it helps reduce the sort of mental noise that causes a loss of concentration.

Jonny Wilkinson is famous for trying to hit a person in the crowd with the kick. For those of us without a full stadium, picture a point between the posts (depending on the wind conditions) and aim for that. Then pick a target to strike on the ball. This will be the focus when approaching the ball.

If you need a new approach to your rugby skills work, check out the Coaching Rugby manual, which includes more than 100 rugby coaching drills and games for teaching all the basics. Click here to order.

Click the link for more rugby coaching tips to improve your players' goal kicks.