Charging down the kick

WHY USE IT

The best chargers down “read” the kicker’s actions so they intercept the kick, more than just appear in front of the kicker. That means the charger down needs to know which foot they kick with.

SET-UP

Cones and balls.

HOW TO DO IT

EXERCISE 

• Set up the cones and players as in the middle picture. Indicate which gate the kicker will make his kick from.

• The feeder passes the ball to the kicker, who aims to kick the ball into his target zone. The charging player sets off with the pass to block the kick.

• Developments: The feeder can box kick. The kicker does not have to go through the gate indicated (but must still aim for the targets).

GAME

• Play a game of 4 v 4 (or more) touch rugby plus one player behind each team on half a pitch. The side in possession pass and run as normal, but can use the player behind to kick (only they can kick).
• If they are charged down, their team lose a point. If the ball goes dead, they lose a point as well. Use one-handed touch, with the tackled player turning around to pass the ball from the ground (thus creating an offside line).
• Each team has four touch-tackles before a turnover.

TECHNIQUE

• Read what foot the kicker is going to use.

   

• Attack the space where he is going to make the kick, not where he is standing now.

   

• Get both arms up and in front of you and follow through.