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LOGINPractising grubber kicks under pressure
Work on the skill and decisions around the low, bouncing kick that cuts through defences and releases players behind the defensive line.
A grubber kick can be used to break down a strong defence, especially one that is well organised and moves forward quickly.
Your players need to work first on technique and then on when to use it.
The technique
The grubber kick is most effective when executed on the move.
By running forwards, the ball carrier attracts defenders. The ball is then kicked along the ground between two defenders.
To master the technique, the ball is dropped from waist height onto the foot. The top of the foot or the instep is used to kick it.
The chaser needs to anticipate the kick so they can accelerate at the right time through the defensive line before the defenders have a chance to turn.
Control the weight
The ball needs to be kicked behind the front line of defenders, but not too deep so sweeping defenders can get to it.
Use a drill where the kicker receives a pass, moves forward and grubber kicks between two tackle tubes. They must weight the kick so it stops in a coloured box you nominate.
As players improve, replace the tubes with controlled defenders moving forwards slowly. Encourage the kicker to chase their kick and recover the ball without knocking it on.
Develop the exercise by adding defenders and support attackers. Then, increase the pressure that the defenders are allowed to put on the kicker. Finally, allow the defenders to turn and compete for the ball.
A grubber game
Play a game of 5v5, where any attacker has the option of kicking a grubber. The game is full contact but stops when the attack fails.
The attack can pass and run as well as kick. But if a ruck forms, the attack is over.
The defenders have to keep their line. They can’t drop a defender back to cover the kick.
As the players improve, reduce the number of attackers so they are facing an overloaded defence. See if they can still kick and recover the ball.
You can also play the game in a larger area and allow the defence to drop a player back. Attempting a kick then has to be well thought out and more accurate.
Finally, allow kicking in more of your touch practice games in training.
- Pass the ball to the kicker and then shout out which box the ball must be kicked to
- The receiver adjusts their running line and aims to kick the ball between the tubes to finish up in the designated box
Decision making
Related Files
Learning when a grubber kick is the best option is as important as mastering the technique. Start by suggesting to your players that it is an attacking weapon, only to be used in the opposition half.
You can then set out some ground rules. For instance, only allow them to grubber when there are more defenders than attackers or when there is not an obvious overlap.
Colin Ireland
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