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Drills for using the grubber kick
This is an excerpt from Rugby Games & Drills eBook by Rugby Football Union & Simon Worsnop.
Target Defence
Ages: All
Skill execution: 2 Decision making: 0 Speed: 0
Agility: 1 Endurance: 1 Speed endurance: 0
Objectives
To learn how to use the grubber kick and to catch or pick up a ball.
Equipment
Up to six balls, 12 cones
Set-Up
Mark out a circle with cones with a radius of 5 to 10 metres depending on the age and skill level of the players. Inside the circle is a central den that contains up to six cones spaced far enough apart that they won't knock each other over if they fall. Split 8 to 16 players into two equal teams. One group of players is inside the circle; the other group of players is outside. Some of the players outside the circle have balls.
How to Play
On your command, the players outside the circle attempt to grubber kick their balls into the circle to knock over the cones. The players inside the circle catch or pick up the balls and roll them back outside the circle. Record the number of cones the outside players knock over in a specific time period; then have the teams rotate. The team that scores highest is the winner.
Coaching Points
- Players outside the circle should use good kicking skills.
- Players inside the circle should use good catching technique.
- Players should maintain good agility and speed.
Variations
The players outside the circle can pick up balls and pass them to players who are in more advantageous positions to kick; the players inside the circle pick up balls and sprint with them to the outside of the circle; the players inside the circle pick up balls and grubber kick them to the outside of the circle; players inside the circle are penalised if they drop or knock a ball forward with their hands or arms so that it touches the ground.
Beat the Guards
Ages: All
Skill execution: 2 Decision making: 0 Speed: 0
Agility: 1 Endurance: 0 Speed endurance: 0
Objectives
To learn how to use the grubber kick and catch or pick up a ball.
Equipment
One ball, four cones
Set-Up
Mark out a 10-by-20-metre grid with cones, and create a 1- to 2-metre channel in the centre.Split up to 12 players into two equal teams. One team stands inside the centre channel, and the other team splits in two and goes to either end of the grid.
How to Play
The ball starts with a player at one end of the grid who grubber kicks it through the team in the centre channel to team-mates at the far end of the grid. Teams gain a point for each kick successfully collected by a player at the other end. If a player at the far end fumbles the ball while catching or picking it up, no point is scored. Players in the centre channel try to stop the ball and roll it back to the outside team. The game is played for a specific period of time, and the teams then switch. The team that ends with the most points wins.
Coaching Points
- Players should practise kicking accurately into space.
- Players should carefully collect rolling balls.
Variations
Use more than one ball; allow the players to pass the ball to team-mates who are in more advantageous positions; players in the centre channel who stop the ball take it to the sideline, and the end players have to sprint round to collect it.
Hit the Cone
Ages: All
Skill execution: 2 Decision making: 0 Speed: 0
Agility: 2 Endurance: 0 Speed endurance: 0
Objectives
To develop basic kicking skills, particularly the grubber kick, and to develop basic catching skills.
Equipment
One ball, 10 to 20 cones
Set-Up
Mark out a 5-by-10-metre to 10-by-20-metre grid, depending on the age and skill level of the players, with cones at each end of the grid, spaced approximately 1 metre apart. A centre line is marked on the grid. Split 6 to 12 players into two equal teams. Each team stands on one half of the grid.
How to Play
A player from one team grubber kicks the ball into the opponents' half of the grid in an attempt to knock down the opponents' cones. Players from the other team try to catch the bouncing ball or stop it with their feet. Players who catch or stop the ball must kick it back over and attempt to knock down the cones at the other end. The team that knocks down all of the opponents' cones first is the winner.
Coaching Points
- Players should practise accurately weighted kicks.
- Players should use good individual and team communication when catching the ball.
Variations
Introduce more balls; allow the player who stops or catches the ball to pass to a team-mate who is in a better position to kick the ball; penalise any players who, while stopping a kick, drop or knock the ball forward with their hands or arms so that it touches the ground (e.g., make them pass the ball back to the other team and forego their team's kick).
Read more about Rugby Games & Drills by Rugby Football Union, Simon Worsnop.
More Excerpts From Rugby Games & Drills eBook
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