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Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 04/03/2010 12:01:56
Posts: 14,
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Dear All:
I've been watching a lot of Super 14 matches lately (on www.RugbyZone.com) and it occurs that our Mini kids need some updated coaching on Kicking from Hand effectively.
Most notable, is kicking the ball kind of end-on ... not the way we were shown during school! If it's executed properly I assume the kick tends to have greater distance.
In the past few years with our kids - up until U10, per Continuum Rules anyway - no one has even considered kicking. A double edged sword I know, but now the back 3 really need to kick effectively.
Any thought on how to teach correct technique?
Robbie
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/03/2010 16:56:51
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| End on kicking is not for distance (spiral kicks for that) but accuracy. We tend as coaches, especially in early years, to discourage kicking. Mainly, I suspect, to try and cement the ideas of handling first, even when just larking about before practice starts. But having considered this a bit over the last year or so I've come to the following conclusions (as yet not finalised or tested ;-). - There's nothing wrong with kids of any age kicking, per se. It's meaningless and undirected kicking that is pointless - the sort of pick-the-ball-up-and-swing-my-foot-at-it-not-bothered-where-its-going type kicking. It would actually be interesting to find what a football coach's thoughts are on this area, especially with very very young players (e.g. 5 years old).
- I can see great long term benefit in all players being au fait with the concept of kicking and the skills and techniques thereof. (See above.) Otherwise, I sense that what maybe tends to happen is that players get to whatever age group it is in their union when they can kick, and everybody just expects them to be able to do it.
How to coach it? Well, technique is all, so ensure you know what that is, or find someone that does :-). Then, just as you would any other aspect, build the skills bit by bit, with context. That is, by all means start off with little 5m kicks to a partner to promote technical skills and accuracy of course (you wouldn't just expect them 1st time out to bang in a 35m spiral, presumably). However, at some time you would want to introduce some context... kicking under pressure (get someone running at them), kicking distance for accuracy and meaning - use the touchlines, coned off maybe... 1 point for a 10m clearance, 2 points 20m, etc. But also just don't dwell on the kick as it happens. Draw out of the kicker his/her own feeling for the kick and the success of it. Get the kicker to understand what IS a feasible kick and what isn't. If the kicker can understand that they have a GOOD solid 20m clearance, but anything over 25m has only a 30% chance of making touch, what message does this tell the kicker for use of clearance kicks in a game?
Hope this helps!
didds
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 08/12/2009 18:08:23
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As regards technique for the drop punt (end over end kick) you are best going to the source - Aussie Rules football. There are some very good skills videos at this address http://www.aussierulesuk.com/about/skillvideos/kicking/kicking
It is also worth watching some of the stuff on marking (that's catching kicks to us!)
As the videos note, the drop punt is for accuracy and distance is sacrificed a bit. However you will see examples in the game action clips of drop punts travelling 60 or 70m - kicks from well outside the 50m circle - and clearing defenders in the goal with ease. One guy launches a torpedo kick that goes over 100m! These guys can really kick. The accuracy of kicking in that game is awesome too.
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Supreme Being
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 05/03/2010 11:46:41
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| In terms of distance for Aussie rules the ball is a little different, though the principles are still crucial. I think we might also consider what is most comfortable for the player. A drop punt might suit some better than others.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 04/03/2010 12:01:56
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Thanks guys...some good food for thought. And CJP, good idea on the ARL - I will commence Googling!
Prior to our trip to the Bath Festival in April, we selected our players using a grid of competencies (Tackling, Passing, etc.) but did not include kicking. Dan, I do in fact have a Support Play ranking in there BTW 
Realizing this - and losing our only 'experienced' fullback - we had to basically test the guys out for Kicking accuracy, form & speed. It was then I saw for example how a very strong U11 kid could have atrocious technique, but manage to smash it 40m. Meanwhile, the kid who can kick a spiral managed only 15m...but it looked nice!
True technique is pretty important to the Mini -> Youth transition, so I am building some drills for younger kids (U10 + up) to teach that ... carefully hidden in a fun game!
R
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