close
LOGINDrop kick restarts
Learning how to perform these well will allow your team to put pressure on the opposition. By TOSH ASKEW, former head coach, Leicester Tigers academy.
WHY USE IT
Not enough time is spent on this simple skill, especially by younger players, who need to work their way through the set-up and technique to complete a drop-kick restart.
set up
A ball for each pair of players, a pitch to be able to kick at the goalposts from the side, and cones to set up a square.
HOW TO PLAY
ACTIVITY 1 & 2: A pair of players stand about 15m apart. They drop kick back and forth to each other. Work down a line, such as the 22m line. Steadily move them further apart as they improve in accuracy, then kick at the posts, aiming to strike the side of the goal post as high up as possible.
DEVELOPMENT: Kick from the middle of the pitch to land in a square, marked out by cones placed around 10m to 15m inside the other half of the pitch. This replicates a kick-off. Get a chaser to see if they can catch the ball in the square.
COACHING POINTS
- The swing of the leg needs to be smooth and steady, like a controlled golf swing. It is in the timing not the power.
- Hold the ball in front of the leg you are going to kick with
- The hips and chest should be turned at 45 degrees to the line you are kicking down
- Hold the ball upright, across the seam, with thumbs pointing to the top of the ball
- Strike the ball with the bony top part of the foot
- Keep the chest up and the head down watching the ball. Finish with the chest front on to the target
Related Files
- Pairs drop kick to each other about 15m apart
- As they improve, they step further apart
- Aim for one of the posts, aiming to strike as high up the posts as possible
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Be a more effective, more successful rugby coach
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
