Kick-off drop-kicks

The drop-kicking skill can be split into four key areas.

1. Addressing the ball: how and where to hold it

For the right-footed kicker, the hands should be either side of the ball, with fingers relaxed but spread.

The right hand should be slightly higher up the ball than the left. This helps show the kicker the contact zone/impact point of the ball. The left hand is slightly lower, to counteract the higher right hand.

The ball needs to be held with the points vertically up and down. The kicker should crouch slightly so the ball is closer to the ground than if the kicker were standing upright.

2. Dropping the ball

The ball needs to be dropped carefully so that it drops still and steady, with the ball remaining vertical as it drops and makes contact with the ground. 

There must be no wobble or change in the ball shape from holding it to foot contact.

3. Balance and foot contact

The kicker should crouch slightly over the ball and be focused on the ball contact point. 

The sweet spot is the same as for a place-kick, which is about a quarter of the way up the ball. The contact point on the boot should be as for a place-kick, which is the instep, where the big toe meets the foot. 

The head needs to stay down and the chest should be bent forwards slightly.

4. The follow through

It is important not to look up too early, so keep the head down after the kick.

Step through and directly towards the intended line of kick. The balance and power is being channelled in the correct line. If not, balance has been compromised.