1. The Kicking Game

2. Why is it so important?  RWC STATS - Semi finals & finals  You have to get there to score the points  Attacking weapon  The cross kick  The chip kick  The grubber kick  Puts opposition under pressure  Restarts  Up & Unders  Penalty kick for touch creates great attacking platform

3. Most important areas of the game – RASSIE ERASMUS 1. CONDITIONING 2. THE KICKING GAME When these two areas are in place you can score the tries!!!

4. Key factors for an effective kicking game  Basic skills required to play the game  Catching and passing  First phase possession  Breakdown skills  “Lingo” and players that can communicate  Personnel

5.  Clear plan  Two schools of thought  Where on the field do we want to play our rugby?  Communicate the plan clearly  Every kick is as good as the line chase that follows the kick  Practicing the kicking game  It is a very important part of your preparation – make time  It is a facet that needs to be practiced  Analysing the opposition is crucial for formulating your plan  The specialist

6. Constructing a kicking game plan  Areas of play  Defensive zone  Attacking zone  What is your school of thought?  Conservative of creative?  Identify the correct personnel  First phase possession  Catching and passing  Breakdown  Decision makers  Kickers

7.  The plan: 1. Relieve the pressure  Create time and space for kicker 2. Kick to contest  Isolate a weak catcher 3. Pull them up and make them turn  Hit grass behind them  Chase line  Second line  Third line  Win the tennis through patience  Create an opportunity to “gamble”

8. TIPS  Analysis of opposition  Pick up on defensive patterns  Identify weak catchers and turners  Equipment  Balls  A right footed & left footed kicker is a bonus  Practice as close to match circumstances as possible  Repetition is key  An Example:

9. Kicking technique  Specialised coaching from an early age  Wilkinson – 13 years old  Practice the correct techniques from the start  Bad habits takes years to correct

10. General pointers  Bal placement - Wilkinson  The golf swing – Basic principles  BODY MOVEMENT  TOES DOWN  HEAD OVER THE BALL  ROUTINE IS KEY  The mental game

11. The place kick A straight leg = consistency  Starts with the kicking tee  Correct alignment  Angle of approach  Distance from the ball  Focus on the spot  Approach it slow and small  Arm up for balance  Big last step for good coil  Plant foot next to the ball

12. Head down = momentum  Eye on the spot = it will pull you through  Strike it on the right spot  Straight leg  Foot towards target  Plant foot must move forward  Hips towards target  Repetition  Eliminate bad habits

13. The touch kick  Torpedo  Alignment & grip  Approach is slow and small  Straight arms  A perfect release is the key  Head over the ball  Toes down for power  Big last step for a good coil  Strike it on the outside half of the foot  Plant foot move  Straight leg for power  Hips towards the target  Drop punt  Alignment & grip  Approach is slow and small  Straight arms  A perfect release is the key  Head over the ball  Toes down for power  Big last step for a good coil  Strike it on top of the foot  Plant foot move  Straight leg for power  Hips towards the target

14. Practice makes perfect