Rugby coaching tips for kicking skills

Spiral punt

The spiral punt is used for distance, to fly the ball quickly and accurately through the air. The key rugby coaching points when teaching the skill are how the player holds the ball and how the player's foot strikes the ball.

For a right-footed kicker, the ball is held at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, with the left hand on top of the bottom half of the ball and the right hand below the top half of the ball as shown in the diagram.

The ball is held out at this angle and released as the foot comes up to strike the ball. The ball is kicked with the top part of the foot.

End-over-end kick

In many ways this is a more simple kick, providing more accuracy and consistency. The ball is held upright. It is kicked with the top of the foot striking the ball on its sweet spot just above its bottom point. A follow through is essential in every kick.

Key rugby coaching points

Players should:

• Hold the ball at the centre of the body.
  
  
• Drop the ball onto the boot.
  
  
• Watch the ball onto the boot.
  
  
• Kick through the ball.

Click here to get more kicking tips with a rugby drill to practise kick and chase moves.

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