Kicking off

Lots of teams will do the standard short kickoff to the opposition forwards and vainly try and regain possession. Sadly the result is usually a mass of collisions, with the opposition retaining possession. Another tactic teams try is to get tricky kicking short kicks of kicks to opposite fields. Unfortunately these moves are usually not practiced, and often result in unproductive results.

Focusing on kickoffs is the best way to establish and change momentum in a game. If you are kicking off you are either starting the game or have just been scored on. Either way you need to make a statement about your willingness to win the game.

Before going into the kickoff pattern lets look at the results we are after: a turnover, a poor possession, a kick and counter attack, or a kick to touch.

First start with a kick. In my book the best option is a high deep kick landing just in front of the 22 meter line between the 5 and 15 meters markers.

Hang time is essential your forwards must run about 28 meters, so you need 3 or 4 seconds in the air for them to get there.

The forward pattern is this 2 men on the ball catcher, 2 men beyond the ball catcher, and 4 in frin defense. The 2 on, and 4 in fringe defense are obvious. The 2 beyond need to be there as well because the kick is open play and catchers mess up kicks a lot, and even if they catch them they often tap directly back makes sense to me to take advantage of common occurrences.

Centers should be rushing on closing down space for the backs. #9 and #10 should hang back at about the opposition 10 meter line. The back three should be on the back 10 meter line depending on the strenght of the opposition kicker. Goal is to be prepared for a counter attack, or quick line out. Don't be afraid to be a good athlete.

I am not a fan of cheeky kicks of short kicks to the opposition forwards. Though I applaud aggression and creativity, the long kick to the 'dead zone' with a blanket of forwards attacking is so productive, I say perfect this pattern, and ride the easy wave to extra possessions, pressure ball, and scoring opportunities. Bottom line is in College rugby this pattern is the gift that keeps on giving. I don't mean dictate patterns, but this one needs to be paid attention to.

Pressure, dynamic attack and quick decisions.