What are the Kicking Team Aiming to Achieve from Halfway Restart

The aim of any attacking kick in the game is to kick the ball so that it can be recovered by your team, or to kick to apply pressure to the opposition so that they have the tough choices.

Traditionally, the strategy at a halfway kick off is to kick to the left side of the field to place the receiving team on their ‘weak’ foot for a clearance. If their main kicker is left footed you could consider kicking to the right-hand side. This will place the receiving team under pressure as they either kick to their right-hand touch, or they set up a series of rucks to get the kicker in to a better position, or they pass across the field to make a diagonal kick clearance.

The following considerations should be given to the kick-off:

1. The kick which travels a short distance over the 10 metre line in which the chasing team have a nominated jumper to compete for the ball in the air.
   These days with the law making it difficult to compete if the receiver is in the air also, the chaser should be coached to jump to the side of the receiver and use an arm to pat it back to their team.
   Alternately the chaser can run on an angle from outside to inside so that they are able to jump and catch the ball in front of the receiver and not make contact.

These kicks and recoveries take a good deal of practicing and it is likely that only one or two players in the team will have the appropriate skills.

1. If the team possess a skilful kicker a kick off can be aimed that comes down just outside the 22m line so that it cannot be kicked directly in to touch.
   With a fast chasing runner and a quick line chase the ball can be competed for in the air if it has sufficient ‘hang-time’, or the player making the catch can be tackled almost immediately and the receiving team placed under pressure.
2. The kick which is placed deep and high in to the corner of the field which does not go dead or in to touch on the full is a safe option.
   The chasing team must do exactly that so that there are two or three players putting pressure on the ball catcher and the close players, and there is a fast chasing line placing the receiving team under pressure across the field. The chasing team should be ready for any ball that is passed laterally.
   This kick, if executed well with a good chase, will ensure that the team kicking off will be in the best field position at the next restart.
3. Targeting a ‘miss-match’ is another option. This can occur when a player is targeted generally after chasers are divided in to two groups forcing the opposition to do the same. The idea is to kick a recoverable kick to an area where there is a perceived advantage to the kicking team.
   In other words don’t kick it to their best receiver, but instead a shorter player standing on their own.This is likely to be a short kick that can be competed for and retained.

Kick offs are absolutely crucial in any game yet they are seldom practiced at any length. The kicking and chasing are specific skills that should be carried out by a few nominated players as often as is practical.

Success will bring a great deal of satisfaction.