The Rugby Kick Chase: Applying Pressure with the Boot - Aberdeenshire Rugby Football Club (RFC)

Rugby Kick Fundamentals

As a seasoned rugby professional, I’ve come to appreciate the nuanced art of the kick chase – a crucial aspect of the game that can often make the difference between victory and defeat. In rugby, the ability to effectively execute a kick and then chase it down with purpose and discipline is a hallmark of elite teams and players.

Kicks in rugby serve a variety of purposes – from clearing possession, to gaining territory, to launching counterattacks. But the true power of the kick lies in the chase that follows. By applying relentless pressure on the receiving team, the kicking side can disrupt the opposition’s rhythm, force errors, and create scoring opportunities.

Types of Kicks in Rugby

There are several common kicks used in rugby, each with its own unique characteristics and applications:

Territorial Kicks: These are long, high kicks that are aimed at gaining ground and pushing the opposition back into their own half. They are often used to relieve pressure or set up a defensive line.
Box Kicks: Short, high kicks, typically executed by the scrumhalf, which put the receiving team under immediate pressure and allow the kicking team to quickly regain possession.
Chip Kicks: Delicate, low kicks that are used to beat the defensive line and create space behind them. These require excellent timing and execution.
Attacking Kicks: Kicks that are used to put the opposition under pressure in their own 22-meter zone, or to create scoring opportunities for the attacking team.

Regardless of the type of kick, the key to its effectiveness lies in the subsequent chase and application of pressure.

Purpose of Kick Chasing

Kick chasing serves several crucial purposes in rugby:

Gaining Field Position: By applying immediate pressure on the receiving team, the kicking side can force them to play from deep within their own half, giving the kickers a distinct territorial advantage.
Disrupting Possession: A well-executed kick chase can disrupt the opposition’s ability to cleanly receive and control the ball, leading to turnovers and opportunities for the kicking team.
Creating Scoring Chances: Pressuring the receiving team can lead to handling errors, rushed decisions, or even knock-ons, allowing the kicking team to regain possession in a dangerous attacking position.
Maintaining Defensive Discipline: A strong kick chase keeps the defensive line organized and focused, ensuring that the kicking team is not vulnerable to counterattacks or broken field play.

By understanding the fundamental objectives of kick chasing, players and coaches can develop effective strategies and tactics to maximize its impact on the game.

Kick Chase Strategies

Kick chasing is not just a matter of sprinting after the ball – it requires a well-coordinated and disciplined approach from the entire team.

Defensive Positioning

The first key to a successful kick chase is ensuring that the kicking team’s defensive line is properly positioned and organized. This involves:

Depth and Spacing: Maintaining appropriate depth between the backline and the forwards, as well as lateral spacing across the field, to cover all potential threats.
Communication: Clear and constant communication between players to ensure that everyone is aware of their assignments and responsibilities.
Reaction Time: Being ready to react quickly to the flight of the ball and the opposing player’s movements, allowing the team to collapse on the receiver as soon as the ball lands.

By getting their defensive positioning right, the kicking team can severely limit the options available to the receiving team and force them to make hurried decisions.

Offensive Pressuring Tactics

On the offensive end, the kick chasers must apply relentless pressure on the receiver, denying them time and space to safely field the ball. Some effective tactics include:

Line Speed: Sprinting hard to close down the receiver and reduce their reaction time.
Aggressive Contesting: Attacking the ball in the air or upon landing, with the aim of disrupting the catch or forcing a knock-on.
Angled Runs: Cutting off the receiver’s options by anticipating their movement and running off-angle to force them into unfavorable positions.
Collective Effort: Working together as a unit, with support players providing cover and assistance to the primary chasers.

By combining these offensive pressuring tactics, the kicking team can create a daunting gauntlet for the receiving team to navigate.

Anticipating the Opponent’s Response

Successful kick chasing also requires an understanding of how the opposition is likely to react. This involves:

Identifying Potential Receivers: Knowing the strengths and tendencies of the opposing team’s back three (fullback, wingers) to predict where the ball is most likely to be fielded.
Recognizing Tactical Patterns: Observing the opponent’s typical responses to certain kick types and adjusting the chase accordingly.
Exploiting Weaknesses: Identifying and targeting areas of the opposition’s defensive setup that may be vulnerable to specific kick chase strategies.

By anticipating the opponent’s likely response, the kicking team can better position themselves to capitalize on any mistakes or hesitation, further increasing the pressure and disruption.

Kick Chase Execution

The effective execution of the kick chase is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. It’s where the team’s preparation and strategy must translate into tangible results on the field.

Timing the Kick

Timing is crucial when it comes to executing a kick that sets up a successful chase. Factors to consider include:

Field Position: Kicking from the right area of the field to maximize the territorial gain or scoring opportunity.
Opponent’s Organization: Kicking when the opposition is not fully set or prepared to receive the ball.
Weather Conditions: Adjusting the kick to account for wind, rain, or other environmental factors that could affect the ball’s flight.

By timing the kick carefully, the kicking team can gain a crucial advantage and put the receiving team on the back foot from the outset.

Communicating with Teammates

Effective communication is the glue that holds the kick chase together. This includes:

Calling the Kick: The kicker must clearly communicate the type of kick and its intended target to the chasers.
Alerting Teammates: Chasers must loudly call out the flight of the ball and their intended movements to coordinate the chase.
Adjusting on the Fly: Players must be able to quickly adapt to changing situations and relay information to their teammates in real-time.

Clear, concise, and timely communication allows the kicking team to react as a cohesive unit, increasing the likelihood of a successful chase.

Winning the Race to the Ball

The final and most crucial element of the kick chase is the actual race to the ball. This requires:

Explosive Acceleration: Kickers and chasers must be able to burst off the line with immediate speed to close down the receiver.
Commitment and Desire: A willingness to put one’s body on the line and contest the ball aggressively, even in the face of potential collisions.
Situational Awareness: Knowing when to go for the ball directly or when to set up a better position for a teammate to make the play.

By winning the race to the ball, the kicking team can either secure possession or force the opposition into a rushed, error-prone decision, setting the stage for further pressure and opportunities.

Pressure through Kick Chase

The ultimate goal of the kick chase is to apply relentless pressure on the opposition, disrupting their ability to play with composure and control. This pressure can manifest in several ways:

Gaining Field Position

By effectively chasing down kicks and forcing the receiving team to play from deep in their own half, the kicking team can gain a significant territorial advantage. This can lead to prime attacking position or force the opposition to make risky plays in an attempt to relieve the pressure.

Disrupting Opponent’s Possession

A well-executed kick chase can force handling errors, knock-ons, or rushed decisions from the receiving team, allowing the kicking side to regain possession in dangerous areas of the field. This disruption of the opposition’s flow can be a major catalyst for turning the tide of the game.

Creating Turnover Opportunities

In the chaos of a kick chase, the kicking team can create prime turnover opportunities, either through forcing handling errors or through legal, aggressive contesting of the ball. These turnovers can then be quickly capitalized on to generate scoring chances or further pressure the opposition.

By consistently applying pressure through the kick chase, the kicking team can gain a significant psychological and tactical advantage, forcing the opposition to play on the back foot and limiting their ability to establish a comfortable rhythm in the game.

Specialized Kick Chase Roles

While the kick chase is a team effort, there are specific roles and responsibilities that different players must fulfill to ensure its success.

The Kicker’s Responsibilities

The kicker plays a crucial part in setting up the chase for success. Their responsibilities include:

Kick Selection: Choosing the appropriate kick type and trajectory to best suit the game situation and the strengths of the kicking team.
Execution Quality: Striking the ball cleanly and accurately to maximize the distance, hang-time, and placement of the kick.
Communication: Clearly informing the chasers of the kick’s specifics to allow them to time their runs and reactions accordingly.
Recovery Support: When possible, the kicker should look to provide cover and support for the chasers, either by joining the chase or by positioning themselves to counter any counterattacks.

Support Players’ Duties

The players supporting the primary chasers also have vital roles to fulfill:

Providing Cover: Ensuring that the chasers have adequate defensive support behind them, ready to contest any loose balls or counterattacks.
Anticipating Rebounds: Positioning themselves to react quickly to any ricochets or deflections of the kicked ball, ready to pounce on any opportunities.
Maintaining Shape: Keeping the defensive line organized and disciplined, ready to collapse on the receiver as soon as the ball is fielded.
Communicating Actively: Constantly relaying information to the chasers and adjusting the team’s positioning and movements as needed.

Covering Defenders’ Positioning

The players responsible for covering the kicks must ensure that they are in the optimal position to react to the ball’s flight and the receiving team’s movements:

Depth and Spacing: Maintaining the appropriate distance from the chasers and lateral coverage across the field.
Awareness and Reactions: Continuously scanning the play and anticipating where the ball is likely to land, ready to provide that final layer of cover.
Disciplined Positioning: Avoiding the temptation to drift or over-commit, which could leave gaps for the opposition to exploit.
Decisive Interventions: Being prepared to make decisive plays on the ball, whether it’s a catch, a tackle, or a clearing kick, to relieve the pressure.

By each player fulfilling their specialized role within the kick chase, the team can maximize its disruptive impact and create opportunities to gain the upper hand in the game.

Adapting Kick Chase to Game Situations

While the fundamental principles of kick chasing remain constant, the specific tactics and approaches must be adapted to the evolving game situations and challenges that arise.

High-Pressure Scenarios

In high-pressure situations, such as when the kicking team is defending a narrow lead or trying to regain the initiative, the kick chase must be executed with even greater intensity and urgency. This may involve:

Increased Line Speed: Sprinting harder and closing down the receiver more aggressively to limit their time and space.
All-Out Commitment: Players throwing their bodies into the contest, even at the risk of personal injury, to disrupt the opposition.
Tactical Variations: Mixing up the types of kicks and the timing of the chase to keep the receiving team off-balance.

By adapting their kick chase to the high-pressure moments, the kicking team can seize the initiative and put the opposition under maximum duress.

Counterattacking Opportunities

In certain situations, the kick chase can also be used as a springboard for a devastating counterattack. This might involve:

Rapid Transition: Quickly regaining possession after a well-executed kick chase and immediately launching an attack.
Exploiting Gaps: Identifying and attacking any gaps or weaknesses in the opposition’s defensive setup that have been exposed by the preceding kick chase.
Utilizing Support Runners: Having players in strategic positions to provide excellent support and outlets for the counterattacking player(s).

By recognizing and capitalizing on counterattacking opportunities that arise from a successful kick chase, the team can turn defense into offense in the blink of an eye.

Maintaining Discipline and Structure

Even in the heat of the moment, the kicking team must maintain a disciplined and structured approach to the kick chase. This includes:

Staying Onside: Ensuring that the chasers do not commit unnecessary offenses like being offside or interfering with the receiver.
Avoiding Retaliation: Keeping composure and avoiding unnecessary physical altercations or retaliatory actions that could lead to penalties.
Adhering to Roles: Players sticking to their assigned responsibilities and not trying to freelance or abandon their positions.

By staying disciplined and structured, the kicking team can continue to apply effective pressure without compromising their defensive integrity or handing the opposition easy scoring opportunities.

Ultimately, the rugby kick chase is a multifaceted and complex aspect of the game that requires a deep understanding of the game’s fundamentals, as well as the ability to adapt and execute under pressure. By mastering the techniques and strategies outlined here, teams can use the boot to gain a decisive advantage and turn the tide of a match in their favor.