Get your kicks

WHY USE IT

Players need to know when to kick in game situations. Here are some rules you can use to reward good kicking in your small-sided games, so players are incentivised to use the right kicks.

SET UP

Maximum 7v7 game, in an area up to half a pitch wide, and at least 30m long. One ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Activity: Play any version of rugby, including touch. After three tackles, the ball can be kicked. If it is not kicked before the fifth tackle, it is turned over. If the ball is kicked, it must be gathered cleanly first time, or the ball is turned over. Don’t allow knock-ons or knock-backs. The ball is allowed to touch the ground. Don’t allow the players to contest for it on the ground. Any kick can be contested, but if the kicking side recovers the ball, don’t get any extra tackles. Score one point for each try.

COACHING POINTS

• What to call out: “Stay behind the kicker”; “Jump into the space where the ball is going to land”; “Line up deeper if you are going to kick, so you don’t get charged down”.

• You could start with only one of the kicking rules in place, and add or amend as you go along. You could also nominate players who are allowed to kick, and those who are not.

• Challenge the players to chase effectively, and encourage defences to track back to support the recovering players.

• Make the players think about kicking for possession and for territory.