Kicking basics and the long pass
Ready when: Ball handling and passing backward (b1) done.
What you are learning
Kicking an oval ball: drop it onto the top of the foot (the laces) and strike, with a high or a low kick along the ground (a grubber); and a longer spin pass that flies straight.
Words on this card Grubber, Laces
- Grubber
- A kick that rolls along the ground; a long pass that spins in the air.
- Laces
- The top of the foot, where the ball is kicked.
Set up
An oval ball; 4 cones as a target box.
Weather: grass, away from roads and windows
Show it first for the one teaching
- Hold the ball upright in two hands, drop it onto the laces and strike, following through upward.
- Kick low, so the ball rolls along the ground: a grubber.
- Pass with a twist of the wrists so the ball spins, from the hips.
Your part while they practise
Be the target and catcher; fetch the kicks; everyone kicks the same way.
Step by step
- Drop the ball onto the top of the foot.
- Strike with the laces, standing, then further.
- Follow through upward to send it higher.
- A low kick along the ground: the grubber.
- A longer spin pass from the hips and wrists.
How much: 20 kicks and 10 passes 15 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Target kicking
Score by kicking the ball so it stops in the cone box.
Who plays: 2 or more, taking turns; or alone against your best.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Kick from a marked spot, 10 steps from the box
- Each player has 10 kicks, taking turns
- Score where the ball stops
- Fair play
- A grown-up kicks from 5 more steps back.
- Points
- 3 points if the ball stops in the box; 1 point if it lands in the box and rolls out.
- Fouls
- No points
- Kicking with the toe
- Kicking in a different direction from the others
- Kicking from in front of the spot
- Winning
- The most points after 10 kicks each.
- 8 points for 1 star
- 15 points for 2 stars
- 22 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Shorter distance, standing.
Kick on the run.
What you will see, and what to say
- the ball is struck with the toe
Laces, drop it on the foot
Toes pointed down. - the pass wobbles
Spin it with the wrists
Twist as you let go.
Self-check
7 of 10 kicks caught by the partner without moving more than two steps.
Stop and get a coach when
Pain in the kicking leg, hip or back.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains kicking, passing for length.
Intermediate is done when the coach confirms the group is ready for each contact step.
awiseathlete.com/sports/rugby/rugby-i3