Rugby coaching tips for kicking into the wind
Windy days can make kicking a lottery, but the following tips can help you use the wind to your advantage, even if it is against you.
Kick off tactics
1. Hard and low: Kick the ball hard and low at the closest defender, or even better, in between the two front players. They are probably not expecting a low ball, may fumble it under pressure, or even knock the ball on.
Be prepared to drop kick with the ball being bounced on its belly rather than its point. The roll of the ball can make for a difficult pick up.
2. High ball: Kick the ball high but aimed at the 22m line. With a strong wind, the ball is likely to drift back towards your forwards. It will also hang for longer in the air. Check with the referee on the laws before taking the kick.
Law 13.6 - Kick-off of 10 metres: If the ball reaches the opponents' 10-metre line or reaches the 10-metre line and is blown back, play goes on.
In your 22m area
1. Box kick skills: A kick to touch does not relieve the pressure, because it is likely that the ball will not travel far out of the 22m, if at all. Be sure to kick it further than usual. Below first class rugby, defensive wingers are unlikely to be back to cover this sort of option. However, a good rugby coaching tip is to make sure your wingers and other chasers are perfectly aware of the strategy so they can react accordingly.
2. Chip over the midfield: Move the ball to the backs who can then chip and chase. A bit more height on the chip and then the ball has more chance of being retrieved by the chasing centres.
Beyond your 22m area
1. High ball: The kick will need to be hit hard into the wind, but the prospect of taking a hanging ball running forward into the oncoming players is not something relished by many players. Like the high kick off, the ball is likely to hang as well, creating more pressure.
This article is taken from the Better Rugby Coaching e-newsletter. Click here to sign up and get free rugby drills and skills twice a week.
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