Better Rugby Coaching / Better Rugby Coaching / The Huddle

Tag Rugby Suggestions

djcoconuts — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:26:54 GMT

Hi everyone,

Huge fan of this forum and I love reading all the topics and everyone's views.

I'm a player/coach of a tag rugby team in Dublin and I'm looking for suggestions on how to make our attack more potent.

It's a 7-a-side mixed team with both male and female players of all skill levels, shapes and sizes.

We’ve played together for 2 years now and defensively we’re rock solid but we lack creativity going forward. We’re very one dimensional in attack which makes us easy enough to defend against.

I was hoping that you could recommend some backline moves we could use to create gaps in the opposition’s defense. Bearing in mind that it’s non contact sport and the level of skill in the team is pretty average.

Appreciate any feedback you have to offer.

Cheers

What are the Diffences between the Role of the Left and Right Winger?

aka131 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:25:50 GMT

Hi. I am in the process of putting together my application for the RFU level 3 Coaching Award. As part of the award your are required to analyse the technical, tactical, mental and physical attributes of each position.

While I can come up with a number of these for the wing positions I can think of few differences between the left and right wingers. Are there any significant differences as if there are this will be valuable learning for me on the road to my level 3.

Many thanks for any help,

Tom

Strength/Weight Training Under 15s

thepeb — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:48:56 GMT

Can someone give me good GYM workouts for our Under 15s over the summer (they are under 14s now). The sessions will be supervised and players will be educated on technique/form etc.

Endless Player promotion by Parent

RobbieD — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:04:48 GMT

Hello All - it's been a while, so Happy Xmas, New Year, etc., etc.!!

Have a problem: there is a certain adult who has been endlessly touting a paricular player to anyone who will stand still long enough. All my coaches & parents have all had an ear-full about how this player "is like Richie McCaw" and "is better than X at rummaging".
The main problem is the adult in question is the Union President and the player is his nephew!

We are selecting a National Team shortly, but this player is really not good enough to displace anyone else.

Any suggestions on how to let the President down easily without getting black-balled by his infulence?
W

West London coaching session available on 22nd March

DanC — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:24:44 GMT

I am refereeing at the Rosslyn Park National Sevens on Monday 22nd March and the next day, so I am around for a coaching session at a club if anyone wants one on the Monday evening in West London or surrounding area.

Dan

Here's a crazy thought for analysing video ...

Nieghorn — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:08:58 GMT

... try watching a game in fast forward to get a better sense of how your team uses the field.

I do video analysis for my own stats collection, and have started just picking out clips to analyse with the team rather than boring them with the whole game. In fast forwarding to get to get key moments, from which I hit record on my dvd player, I started to recognise patterns of play more clearly. (I guess sound off was one factor, but also that I wasn't also looking at all the little technical stuff just where all the bodies were moving to quickly.)

Who'd a thunk it?!

Coaching jobs: we've got one, or I need one

DanC — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:39:21 GMT

If anyone is looking for a coaching post or needs coaches, try this forum, since we have lots of coaches looking in.

Please put a time limit on the posts and tell us if they have been filled.

When to use the whistle in training

DanC — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:11:23 GMT

Some coaches use a whistle in training to start a drill or in the middle of a session to set off some players.

If we were being pedantic, this is not particularly game related since the whistle is used to stop the game (apart from a kick off).

Better to shout something. And that is pretty much like in the game, as players have to reacted to audio cues.

QUESTIONS: All About The Ruck

TheAristocrat — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:32:44 GMT

Hi,
I am not a coach or a player, just someone who wants to learn more about the game. I am struggling to discern the various aspects of the ruck, such as the players roles and positioning, decision making, and the backs involvement. Could anyone shed some light on this? I'm finding it difficult to gather in depth information. Any help gratefully received.

Regards.

The IRB's guidelines on charging into the ruck

Si — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:44:19 GMT

Here are some video examples of illegal rucking issued by the IRB.

Clip 1

Clip 2

Clip 3

Clip 4

Clip 5

Clip 6

new interpretations at the tackle

didds — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:05:50 GMT

You may have seen Dan's latest email which contains a piece regarding possible new interpretations at the tackle... within the piece is the following

"SANZAR referee's manager Lyndon Bray spoke to the Dominion Post about making rugby a more open game, and ensuring that more time is spent with ball in play.

"We've agreed philosophically to change what the tackler can and can't do," Bray said.

"He is doing too much. We've allowed, in the evolution of the game, to let him remain in contact with the ball and ball carrier after he leaves his feet and he stays on the ball and jumps up and rips it away.""

Well... that's news to me! Since when has the tackler been able to - whilst still "on the ground" - claim the ball THEN get to his feet and remove it?

Did I miss something somewhen?

didds

Rugby Coach Needed

JohnWright — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:37:06 GMT

Hi folks,

I'm currently searching for a Level 2/3 Qualified rugby coach for a rugby club based in East London right next to a popular tube station. We currently have 3 teams our first team is in the Essex 1 league the other 2 are merit league and trying to start a 4th in the new year.

The coach would need to available for around 6 hours a week 2 training sessions 2 times a week for 2 hours (Tuesdays and Thursday's) as well as going with our 1's to games on a Saturday. The training sessions would need to equate for all standard of players from our first team to the social player and beginners.

Money will be negotiated with the right candidate.

If your interested please send me a message on here so we can get the ball rolling.

Thanks.

John

Young Player Performance Drop

rugbycentre — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:01:54 GMT

One of our Under 11 players this season is showing a dramatic drop in performance.

For the past few years he has been, without exception our "strongest" player - in terms of scoring ability, strength and power.

It's really odd and in noticing this and talking to his parents, they've noticed it too and aren't really sure what it is down to.

Acknowledging that young players "change" physically and mentally as they develop, is there something that I should be aware of or be doing?

Thanks.

Indoor training

russ — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:04:01 GMT

Dan

Any thoughts on indoor sessions, sports hall hard surface during the bad weather period.

Circuit training, handling, some games any ideas for these

Advice / help needed for silent players

sneakypete — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:21:05 GMT

Hi, have any of you came across a situation where a player (mini's level - aged 9) - I have a child in my p5 group that fails to use his voice ... he is strong in attack but doesn't receive the ball due to not shouting for it or if he's in support the other players in his team have no clue he's there. After the break down and before the restart even his own players are telling him to shout for the ball so they know where he is.

Any help would be great, games that we can play, drills we can run ...

peter.

Help with Under 14's Team

d.edson — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:35:59 GMT

Hi,

The Under 14's team that I coach have real raw ability, however they don't ever want to train which means there talents are being squandered. I have tried many different coaching methods and have even tried bringing in outside people and other people from within the club to try and get them to take to training. However this has been to no avail and because of this we are not able to compete against many of the local teams. I wanted to know if anyone else had struggled like this and if so how they had overcome it. I look forward to hearing people responses.

There is more kicking in international rugby because the head coaches are all former forwards

DanC — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:36:23 GMT

Here is a hypothesis

A head coach for an international team has so much at stake. He has to let his head rule.

Forwards play in small chunks of the field and so progress up the field for them is just that, small. A long kick is a quicker way of gaining distance. Passing out to the backs is a danger because the ball might be lost behind the gain line.

If a forward is the head coach, then he will revert to this style of play when his team is under pressure.

-----

Okay, I am going to back that up somewhat:
Martin Johnson, Warren Gatland, Mark Lievemont, Andy Robinson all played international rugby in the forwards and Nick Mallet got a blue as a forward.

All are capable of asking their teams to play flowing rugby, but when the pressure is on, do they not revert to type? Arguably the pressure is always on them, so we won't see much in the way of a running game unless:
1. They are so far behind they have to run the ball
2. They are so far in front they can afford to run the ball

A coach who was a back would see it differently perhaps..."we are an attacking threat with the ball in hand, so that's what we are going to use"

Teams don't kick every ball they get, but they kick a lot more of the ball than they should. I think it might be because too many of these head coaches are former forwards.

Am I wrong?

Defending against League style of play

bokkie_down_under — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:32:25 GMT

This season is my first as coach as a lower grade forwards coach for a Suburban Rugby Club in Sydney i.e. a senior more social than serious club.

I have been playing for the club for a few years and expereince has shown that as a club we struggle when playing teams that have players that play both Union and League , typically they play on Union on Saturdays and League on Sundays - not sure how they do it!

The issue is these teams are made up very strong runners, who are very strong in the tackle, who have great hands and play a very 'League' style of play i.e. the will take the tackle but will transfer the ball before they go to ground. Did I mention fit on top of that?

The net result being that the ball is moved quickly at close quarters at speed and there is very little chance to compete at the breakdown - even if just to slow the momentum.

I know the 'theroy' is tackle low, put them down and they will have to release the ball. But in reality, this is very hard to do, fitness, poor technique and probably fear (although no one admits to that) playing their part in negating this.

I don't expect there are any silver bullets here but I would be interested to hear if anyone has any thoughts on how to compete with this style of play?

'arrow' pod system - england tactics in the first 2 internationals - merits ?

yossarian — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:28:20 GMT

At Joe Worsley's recent testimonial dinner I spent some time talking to one of the England squad. He described to me a 3 pod system called 'arrow' which was employed against Aus and Argentina. This system was dropped for the NZ game with arguably positive consequences.

The exact details of the system are not entirely clear to me, as in who goes where and when - to be honest they didnt seem to be clear to the player, which may have been one of the reasons why it was deemed unsuccessful. However I imagine that from a shortened lineout for example you would play wide initially with a set of fwds supporting wide. I imagine you would work a couple of front rowers with a decent ball carrying lock into the middle of the field leaving the balance of the fwds forming the remaining pod where the lineout occured. It is not as clear to me at this stage what would happen at a scrum as the front row would be initally less mobile. If anyone knows of the variations I would greatly appreciate some more colour?

The player also alluded to the fact that it was pretty obvious what England were doing and therefore it was easy to defend - overcoaching and too much structure rearing its ugly head again. Dropping the system for the NZ game clearly led to the team playing more heads up and they reverted to a standard 2 pod - default 'same way' style.

I think there are valuable lessons to be learnt here - especially in light of Dallaglio's criticsm of the current management regime i.e. players being in awe of / afraid of Jono. It is in complete contrast to the joue joue approach of the French and it will be very interesting to see which style succeeds over the coming months and ultimately the world cup.

I personally think as coaches we should be giving the players the freedom to play what they see and not restrict them with a formulaic / complicated approach - however again if anyone knows more of the system I would love to hear?

I believe that a similar approach was adopted by Gloucester a few years back called 'day and night' and again would be interested if any fellow coaches could shed some more specific light on the structure.

Cheers

Snake System

gustavolopez — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:18:56 GMT

Hello,

I recently started teaching a rucking technique I came across that is called the Snake System. This concept was originally developed by Robbie Deans and is now taught at the Sharks Academy amongst others.

The basic concept is rucking one behind the other instead of the traditional ruck, that way you force a long and narrow gate which is supposed to be more dificult for the defenders and gives the scrum half comfort to deliver the ball. The question is, has anybody tried this in real game situations?

I have been looking at a lot of videos from the Natal Sharks, the Crusaders and recently Australia to try and see if they actually use it. Although it looks like sometimes they try to do it, it never actually seems to be done the way I saw it in the training sessions.

Best Regards,

Game Analysis

Toby — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:48:47 GMT

To my mind if you don’t record what happened in a game, you can only monitor your team’s development by results and your players from memory. I think this is unsatisfactory. I advocate a game analysis system to enhance your ability to assess these things and boost the quality of your feedback. Attached are a Game Analysis Sheet template and a completed example.

With a simple game analysis sheet like this, you can record all aspects of all your players' games, be it tackling, passing, supporting, scrummaging, or kicking, etc., using ticks or a number rating system (such as 1–10). The analysis can also be used at half time to praise individuals or to identify areas which need improving. However, we don’t advocate comparing individuals directly and don’t use the analysis to criticise individual players.

How do other coaches ensure they record team and player information from games? Do they think the system we use is appropriate? I'd appreciate your views.

Best,

Team Building

slimadey — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:08:00 GMT

After a long winter without any matches and loosing training nights, and a very though season, I want to ensure we build on our team spirit over the coming weeks. I have found that playing team building style games very help full in the past but I don't want to use the same games over and over again.

Has anyone any games for me to try or anywhere in can find some on the old Tinternet.

Slimadey

The Rolling Maul - defence against

yossarian — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:44:55 GMT

Hi all,

With the rolling maul reintroduced to the game as a potent attacking weapon (as demonstrated by the Boks in the Tri-nations) with the non-implentation of the bringing down the maul elv. what does the forum think about the most effective way to counter.

We have the Italian tactic on previous posts which can work midfield when used sparingly.

In general with the line-out being the most likely situation in which the maul is initiated - not competing and taking out the catcher on landing - thus stopping it at source is probably the most effective.

Otherwise work on body positions should be a focus.

Any other thoughts please ?

Making the tackle, then getting up and back into the game

Toby — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:38:05 GMT

Here’s a clip of Australian David Pocock in action. Notable is the speed with which he makes two vital tackles, each on a key player. A great example to all players.

Gliding through a defence

Toby — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:52:55 GMT

Here’s a short clip of Quade Cooper gliding through the Italian defence to score a fantastic try for the Wallabies

100 Q&A: What are the pros and cons of deep and flat alignments?

DanC — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:48:32 GMT

100 Q&A: What are the pros and cons of deep and flat alignments?

A deep attacking line stands well back from the gain line, giving them more time and space to execute their moves. A flat alignment starts much closer, putting more pressure on them and the opposition.

Weigh up the following advantages and then see what Eddie Jones, formerly an international coach with Australia and South Africa, says:

Deep alignment advantages:

1. More time to execute the moves. So patterns can be more complex. It also helps if the possession coming is not as clean or quick as it could be.

2. Brings the defence up further. The defenders, therefore, have more chance to dogleg. It forces them to keep their discipline over a longer distance.

3. Easier to get the ball wide.

4. Players can see the gaps, and move the ball and themselves into those gaps.

Flat alignment advantages:

1. There is less thinking time for the defence. It will be more difficult for them to adjust to complex patterns or changes of angle. Therefore the inside defenders can be “fixed” more easily.

2. Closer to the gain line. Any attack will be further up field, making it easier for the forwards to get to the breakdown.

From the IRB Total Rugby programme, here is Eddie Jones on back play.

Eddie Jones
“Well the basic difference in philosophy of backline play is the alignment that the backline sets itself. Generally speaking there are two types of alignment – the flat alignment which Australian sides and sometimes the New Zealand sides play and then you have the deeper wider alignment which the European sides have tended to play.”

On the aims of the flat alignment…

Eddie Jones
“Australian backlines have always traditionally preferred the flat line of attack where we attempt to fix the 10 and 12 defenders and make sure that they can’t drift quickly. We try to play the ball right at the line, our 10 and 12 have to be very good ball players and then we rely on making their 13 make a decision in terms of who he is going to defend against.”

On the aims of the deep alignment…

Eddie Jones
Most of the European sides use this. We won’t run it straight, we will tend to drift across the field on this play and what we are relying on is pace on the outside to get around the opposition. This sort of attack increasingly has become more difficult to execute because of the fact that defences are so good at drifting. So sides that have got really quick outside backs can play off a deeper alignment. New Zealand have played like that, where they have had a really fast 11, 13, 15 and 14 where they can actually gas you on the outside.”

On a classic move called the ‘Haileybury’ – one used by the Brumbies…

Eddie Jones
“What we are trying to do here is to fix the 10 and 12 defender. To make them make that decision. So we are going to take the ball right to the line. Sides over the last 10 years have used it pretty successfully – and South Africa scored a fantastic try against Samoa in their first World Cup game [last year].”

On a classic move called ‘Bulls’…

Eddie Jones
“With the ELVs it’s created exciting opportunities from scrums with the defence back five metres. One of the particularly popular moves from a left-side scrum is being able to attack inside the 10. So here the eight will pick to nine and the nine will then go to the line and attack their 10 and have options off it. This play has got about four or five difference options we can use.”

“In the summer the All Blacks scored a try with Sivivatu off this play. Exactly the same play, chopping back on the inside of the 10, I think it was Hodgson at the time … it’s a very effective play.”

“The beauty of this play is that the base play looks the same, but we can play any number of options there and it’s about the skill of the players to be able to see what the defence is doing and then pick the best option available.”

On the most important element of back play…

Eddie Jones
“The important thing about backline play in rugby at the moment is to have a consistent philosophy – whether it be a flat line or a deep line – and then be able to execute plays, base plays that have a number of options and to make sure that those plays look the same all the time. The ability to play different options is up to the skill of the players and the decision-making of the players.

Please help

jbb — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:04:00 GMT

I found this web site when I'm searching on google www.contacttheplayers.com any body here

used their service before ? If so please share your experience with us

Invictus Film-SA Rugby

rugbyseed — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:57:35 GMT

Hi Rugby Fans

Have you heard about the new movie Invictus about the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final?
There has been a Facebook group set up where you can tag yourself in a pic of the final.

Were you there? Re-live the memories of this monumental day.

Check it out: http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=invictus&init=quick#/invictus?v=wall&ref=search

Thanks

Rugby Fan Ash

100 Q&A: Where should the full back stand in defence

DanC — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:31:19 GMT

Number 15 has to cover large porportions of the backfield in defence. He needs to read the play so can cover kicks and any linebreaks.

Here is a starting point to work around, depending on your team's defensive policy.

However, if he is left to make a last ditch tackle, then he should be shouting at the defenders in front of him!

1. Lineout

He should stand in line with the oppositon outside centre and about 30m behind his own backline. The distance back does depend on wind conditions and the skill of the oppostion 10.

He should make sure his blindside winger is standing on the 15m line.

2. Scrum

The distance back again depends on the wind and the skills of the opposition 10. He should, however, line up on the inside centre (12) in general, unless: there is chance of kicking to touch, in which case he should be 10-15m in from the nearest touchline for a kick.

3. Open play

Generally, he should run across the field in line with the ball. As he does, he instructs his wingers to cover the spaces he is leaving behind.

This is the most basic system for a 15. More posts on working in the 22m later.

weighted rugby ball drills?

bluedog — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:03:23 GMT

I plan on using two weighted rugby balls in my sessions with university and u-19 female players and was wondering if anyone has any experience using these to any great extent.

My primary focus will be developing length in pass from my scrumhalves and hookers throwing in at lineouts. I'll likely start out with a minimum of use until to avoid developing any bad habits before they gain required strength.

Initial session for scrummies will be 10 left + 10 right x3, then go back to regular ball for same,

hooker's lineout throws will start with hookers just throwing to each other to start from a 5 to 7m range. I was also thinking of using them with my jumpers as a plyometric exercise.

anyone have any ideas?

thanks

bluedog

How to keep players motivated/fresh when losing

djmccormack — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:10:11 GMT

Hi all,

I was wondering what people do when their teams are slumping and have not won in a while?

How do you change practices?
How do you keep players wanting to practice?

The second part of my question is that my team is losing largely due to self-inflicted wounds. e.g. failure to clear the ball in our own 22, dropped passes in our own 22 etc etc.

My team is strong physically and has decent skills but their 'game intelligence' is rather low compared to our opposition. What strategies are there to work on this?

Thanks

Rule variations

kronfeld7 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:04:59 GMT

can anyone help me! at under U13's in a lineout is there a law/rule that states that all forwards must be in the lineout, we have worked on some forwards moves away from the lineout, but other team have stated that all players must be in the lineout i.e 7 vs. 7.

I have looked in all the law books etc that i have but can not find it any where.

Is this correct?

Help needed, my U14 squad is too nice!

bogo — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:58:50 GMT

Hi Guys

First post, so hello to all.

I'm coaching an U14 side and we have had a couple of really good seasons, but so far this season I have noticed that our lot are seriously lacking the controlled aggression I see in the other teams we play. Our lot are a thoroughly nice bunch of kids, but we keep getting taken apart especially in the loose play by teams that seem much more up for it.

They are a young side and not very physically large. Only one of our guys has had his testosterone burst, low voice etc. but is this our main problem? Some of the other sides definitely seem more mature but is there anything you guys could recommend doing, either mentally of physically, to help me fire them up?

Thanks

Simplify the laws of the game

DanC — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:24:20 GMT

Here is a view from regular correspondent Tim Baines on the current system of the Laws:

The Laws in Plain English

I may be going into a subject that IRB, The Referee's Board, are all ready looking into this matter, of wanting to reduce the laws in today's modern game!

Published in 1994, the IRFB Handbook, may be it is available with today's revised laws, reduced and following today's type of match!

But my idea or suggestion, on this matter, is to reduce the 40 laws or less existing today, to the reality of today's modern game of play.

I do believe many, know the laws but not all players, coaches, supporters, directors know all the referee signals to its exact meaning?

I would try to reduce the laws, to today's modern way of playing the game!

How, look up all international games statistics from and to 'x' years, to find out which laws are most commonly appointed by the referees in those games?I can't imagine that all forty laws are applied in one game!

We must help and simply make it easier for the players interpretation, TO FACE today's hard contact games.

Your favourite rugby quote (from you)

DanC — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:55:49 GMT

I have just read a blog site which had four or five really good quotes, only for me to read that they were made up.

So, do you have some wise words which can only be attributed to you? (I can search the web to check!)

To start you off I have put down a couple of first words:

"Coaching children to listen is like..."

"If winning doesn't matter, and development does then..."

And my first effort:

"A good goal kicker knows his limitations, a great goal kicker knows his mind"

Dan Cottrell (b.1967) rugby coach and author

100 Q&A: What do I do if my hooker can't throw?

DanC — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:17:18 GMT

Sometimes you may find that your only option is to play a hooker who cannot throw in very well.

Here are three ways to get round this situation.

1. Throw to the front of the lineout

Cut your losses and just play with front ball if you can. At least you might secure some first phase ball.

2. Use tap penalties or take scrums from a penalty award

Don't kick to touch from a penalty kick. Tap and go or take a scrum.

3. Play with a shortened lineout

Move the jumper and jumping pods if you use them between positions 2 and 4 and in the lineout. A poor throw might be covered up by good movement. A slightly crocked throw is less obvious with fewer players. Always have a player behind the jumping pod to cover an overthrow.

And finally use quick throw ins as a policy from the back three!

I don't want my son to play rugby union ... it's too violent

Wedge — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:28:41 GMT

Commentary from Mark Reason in today's DT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/6440945/I-dont-want-my-son-to-play-rugby-union-...-its-too-violent.html

Who to lose when down to 14 (red card)?? Forward or back?

colm_ose — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:41:33 GMT

So, was playing a few weeks ago against a team with a big, well-drilled pack and nothing out in the backs. One of our backs got redcarded for a stupid elbow on an opposing back while we were leading by 4 point, iirc.

Immediately our coach took off one of the pack and replaced him with a back, leaving us with 7 forwards against their 8.

Our team has a small mobile pack and very good pacy backs. I think he made a mistake taking off the forward because the 7 remaining had a very tough time keeping the opposition 8 under wraps around the fringes.

As it happened, they scored a try near the end to win it by a point. :angry:

When I asked the coach about it he said he thought there would have been too much space if we lost a member of the back 3 and the other 10 could kick the corners all day and get them back into it that way.

What do you think?

Was he right or should he have left the pack and sacrificed the space behind the defence?

drop kicking

JDink — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:29:11 GMT

For the first time in my coaching career (low level Senior Mens), I've got a couple players who have some ability to drop kick. Under pressure from 35 meters out, they can hit the kick about half the time.

The question I have is WHEN should we be using this? What I've come up with isn't enough, which is basically not on turnover ball (when the defense is likely disorganized).

Any guidelines?

"I'm a better drop-kicker than place-kicker at goal!"

negtv capability — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:38:58 GMT

I have a player on my club who swears this, although I see evidence to the contrary. He takes conversions and penalty kicks, refusing a tee, instead drop kicks. Is this even possible? When you drop the ball and it bounces, isn't that just one (well... two) more thing (s) that can go wrong and adds to the chance the ball is misdirected?

After the last match, I ask the ref if he's ever seen a player choose to take conversions with a drop kick instead of place kick. He says, while the player is listening, "yeah, lots of players are better drop-kickers." Now the player is even more obstinate. Other guys on the club are supporting him on this.

At the top or near top levels, have there been several players who kicked at goal with drop kicks? I've never noticed this before. Of course, at the lowest levels in social matches I've seen players not want to bother with a tee or bother making a divot in the ground, so they drop-kick. And in 7s obv.

All I can think to do is convince him to go through a kicking contest vs himself, using both techniques and keep score.

I said, "nobody in the world is a better drop-kicker at goal than place-kicker." After thinking about it, maybe I went too far. If all someone did was practice drop kicks and never place kicks, they could be better at drop goals.

Please vote, is this possible, considering equal practice at both?