Priority skills for drop punting

LOGIN

Subscribe today to access over 2000+ drills, 350+ ready made practice plans, and more.

Drop punting is a straight, end-over-end type of kick that is used to increase the consistency of the strike and outcome.

When kicking, the leg will naturally move to ’find’ the ball in the down-swing. Therefore, to execute a straight kick, it is vital that the ball is dropped straight in line with the kicking leg.

If the ball is dropped towards the middle of the body, the leg will swing out-to-in, and hook or pull the kick. If the ball is dropped outside the body, the leg will swing in-to-out, pushing or slicing the ball.

During contact and follow-through, the kicker must finish with their chest and body facing the target to complete a consistent straight kick.

Below are a couple of activities to work on drop punting technique, both at low level and under pressure.
Use the key factors as coaching points for the individual working under pressure.

KEY FACTORS FOR side-on tackles

Position the hands with your dominant hand towards the bottom of the ball, and the non-dominant hand towards the middle. Angle the ball slightly forward.
Stretch out the arms with a slight bend in front of the body, in line with the kicking leg.
Move forward with the ball in the dropping slot.
The non-dominant hand should come off the ball, with the dominant hand in control of the ball, in line with the kicking leg.
Take a longer last ’power step’ into the kick, planting the non-kicking foot firmly into the floor.
Flex the kicking leg behind the body, loading up a powerful snapping motion through the ball.
Drop the ball directly in line with the kicking leg, being careful not to adjust the hands to ensure the ball drop remains consistent.
Aggressive kick through the ball, with the kicking foot locked into a pointed, hard position.
Aim for the chest to be in line with the target at the strike.
Follow through the kick with a straight leg, while allowing the non-kicking leg to skip forward, before running through the kick.

LOW LEVEL

One player works in the middle of a kicking drill. The kicker receives a pass. They need to catch the ball cleanly, get it into the kicking slot as quickly as possible and execute a straight kick to the catcher in line with them.
The kicker must aim for the catcher to receive the ball within the black cones (5m apart) for 2 points, or within the yellow cones (2m apart) for 5 points.
To increase the pressure on the kicker, add in a charge-down player to pressurise the kick after the pass.

HIGH LEVEL

Related Files

rcw-173-priority-skills-drop-punting.pdfPDF, 358 KB

The kicker works on their long-range drop punting to space. This game works on the kicker’s vision and execution.
Set up three target zones across the field and use two defenders to fill up two of the three kick-target zones.
The kicker receives a pass and tries to kick accurately into the open target zone. It is important the kicker rotates their body when catching the ball to face the target. That leads to them executing a straight drop punt.
Charge-down defenders can be added for more kick and skill-execution pressure.

Richard Whiffin

Editor's Picks

Behind the scenes with: England U18s

Saracens Academy: Behind the scenes with the Wolfpack

Inside the plan for an international match

My best tackle drill

Contact attack and defence, with “ultras”

Kicking & Catching

Get your kicks

This small-sided game allows kicking, but, by using the rules below, it allows for better and more accurate outcomes that relate to ...

Drop 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 T...

Kick returns: Don’t just throw away possession

You need to have a plan to use the ball when the opposition kicks – not all of it can simply be run back, says ex-Bristol and Ospreys head ...

Repeatable kicks

Work on your kicker’s specific out-of-hand technique, so they can turn their natural ability into a repeatable, accurate skill under ...

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

Winning the support race

Get over the ball first and there is a chance to prevent turnover of the ball, or win it. This looks at attack and defence support options.

Spin out of contact

Encourage the ball carrier to spin just before the tackle – the footwork needs experimenting with because it can unbalance players.

Flat speed

A player sometimes has to come forward from a standing start and must make best use of the space in front of them to beat defenders and ...

Speaking in riddles

A guide to different strategies for getting our message across and why we must strike a balance between questions and direct instruction to ...

Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

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.

SUBSCRIBE

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.