Coach Development
Are you a coach at a community rugby club?
Do you see a large amount of your players kicking in their free time before a session starts?
Would you like your players to begin to understand how and when they might kick the ball?
Have you told a few players that they are not allowed to kick at all?
This is the age old debate as to when we should introduce kicking in minis and junior rugby. We’ve heard both sides of the argument: from saying players should master the basics of catch-pass before they kick, to encouraging everyone to give it a go. Of course there are no hard and fast rules but we are big believers that all players, regardless of age, should learn how to kick and when to kick.
Reason 1: Players mature at different rates and a prop at 12 years old could find himself in the centres at 18.
Reason 2: Kicking is not exclusive to half backs and full backs now. Having an all court game is why the game is so exciting to watch. Just take a look at Henry Pollock chipping and chasing to score.
Reason 3: Kicking takes time to master. It’s about consistently showing up and learning how to self correct when you get it wrong. Why wait till 16 to start that process. Put some good principles in place from an early age and all players will feel comfortable doing it as they get older.
As coaches, we have a responsibility to know if it’s a technical challenge or a decision making challenge and the earlier we put those things into our coaching practice, the better equipped our teams will be.
So if you would like Charlie to come to your club and spend some time on how and when we kick, please click the button below, and we’ll get back to you.

