The box kick is an essential skill in modern rugby. But before you go ahead and say to your scrum half, “Right, let’s start box kicking!” it’s important to understand all the different situations in which this tactic can be used. For our North American viewers who may not be able to see the video above, here's an additional video that covers even more examples of box kicks: To supplement the video, here’s a quick rundown of what we think are the four main types of box kick.Â* 1) Clearances Box kicking can be used to clear to touch from behind your own 22m line. This is great for when your fly half is being put under a lot of pressure. By using “blockers” (a forward or two bound to the side of the ruck with a full arm who block a potential charge down from the post/guard/pillar defenders), a scrum half can be well shielded and get good distance on a clearance. 2) The Up-and-Under In the recent Rugby World Cup Semi-Final between South Africa and New Zealand, both teams used this version of the box kick between the two 22s. The tactics works like this: the scrum half hoists an up-and-under for the winger on that side of the field to contest. Either the winger wins the ball in the air (which Bryan Habana did, twice) or he tackles the receiving player and contests the breakdown. Although there’s a good chance of winning the ball back, it’s by no means guaranteed. This means that you should only use this tactic when you’re confident in your own defense. Often, the receiving team will be able to win the high ball, recycle quickly, and immediately out your team under pressure. 3) Territory This one takes some real skill, but plugging the corners isn’t just for fly halves anymore. A scrum half with some vision can find space in behind the opposing wings and bounce a ball into touch near the opponent’s try-line. Note that this is a territory-battle kick. It’s highly unlikely you’ll score from something like this unless the opposition make a real hash of it, but you will force your opponents to make a pressure lineout throw and then kick it right back to you. 4) Chip Kicks Shorter and lower trajectory box kicks can also be great for a winger to chase. These are different from the up and unders in that they’re much quicker and meant to be caught on the bounce in space rather than in the air in an aerial battle. We hope you found that helpful. If you'd like to receive more videos like this including free rugby drills, then consider clicking the button below to join us at Rugbydump Daily for weekly videos like this one:

YES! Send me free drills and analysis

Click here to view the full post More...