Are your rugby place kicks just not hitting the target?
Kicking techniques are generally split into stages and when first learning are looked over or never taught properly. The stages are placement and positioning, concentration, run up and the connection of the ball. In this article I will explaining and showing the best techniques when kicking during any game of Rugby (should you choose to accept the pressure) and (hoping) to help you improve this technique.
Stage 1 - Placement & Positioning and Kicking T's
This first stage is vital to getting a good strike to the ball and will also help get the correct accuracy and speed when first hitting the ball. The ball should be placed at a slight angle towards the post, this will allow for good height and good direction. Firstly check the seam of the ball; for better accuracy the seam should be placed in the direction you want the ball to go. Professional kicking also requires you to judge wind speeds and this should be taken into consideration. You will need to aim further left or right dependent on wind speed and direction. If you have a strong wind to the left you should aim to kick the ball further right of your target to compensate the balls movement in the wind.
When you step up your positioning is vital, professional kickers would position themselves so they can get the best kicking power whilst ensuring accuracy. If the kicker doesn't have much as power they would create more of an angle, but a kicker with more power would set up his kick where the angle is much easier to slot as he has the confidence to make the distance. Confidence plays a big part and to start getting results like the professionals you need to start practicing at harder angles and try kicking from places you hardly ever score from. This practice will ensure you get better from places you used to find hard and will improve your confidence ten fold.
When kicking you can get many different types of kicking tee. They can vary in positioning of the ball, so you should test a multitude of kicking T's and find the one that suits you as this could be hindering you current success rate.
Stage 2 - Concentration
Concentration for the kicker is the most important part. This is the stage where most kickers will vision where the ball is going to go, the best place to strike and other variables such as wind speed. It’s also a time where they have self-control, they block crowds and everything around them. Every Kicker has the own technique of concentration, whether it is the position of comfort they put their body in or the time they take to actual take the kick. Johnny Wilkinson, one of the most famous kickers around, will stand himself bent over with his hands connected just like a golfer holding his club whilst Dan Carter keeps his body upright and takes much more time to kick the ball or evening to start his run up. This is always down to personal preference so you have to find the right stance for you!
Here is a short video of Dan Carter kicking a ridonculous kick!
Stage 3 - Run up and the connection of the ball
Kickers run up vary; some kickers use their run up as like their signature, too add variety to the game. Johnny Wilkinson has a very quick run up! He looks to generate the power from the moment he moves towards the ball. Dan Carter though is opposite, taking a slow run up as you can see from the video above. Another example is Leigh Halfpenny, he takes a reasonably long run up towards the ball which he cover quickly.
Run ups are more complicated than they look, if you position your feet in the wrong place once you start you could end up making a mistake and hitting it wrong. When kicking you want to place the foot you're not kicking with half way between too close and too far. If you don’t place it correctly your swing on the ball could hook the ball in a completely different direction.
The connection with the ball it critical! If you don’t hit the ball in the right spot it could go in any direction. The best spot is the get underneath the ball and to use the inside of your big to and down that side of your boot for best connection. After hitting the sweet spot of the ball you need to follow your leg through towards the direction you're kicking, this creates better accuracy and much better power.
Here is a short video and overlook at everything on this article.
Thanks for reading!!
