Rugby coaching tips to improve kicking from hand skills

Your rugby players must understand kicking tactics and their roles within the game plan. The chances are they also need to improve on their rugby kicking skills and technique.

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 this 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 below.

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 with every kick.

• 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.