from 'How to play Rugby League' first printed 1964

 
Chapter 7  The Fundamentals of Rugby League (Section 1)

the fundamentals of kicking and catching

In most sporting games there are certain basic requisites all players must conform to.  This is so in Rugby League and "the greatest game of all" has these requisites we shall call fundamentals. We will go through each fundamental and show how each is played and how you can increase your skill.

  A most important feature of Rugby League is for you to be able to catch the ball - this phase of playing the game is too often overlooked by players. 
  It is simple enough to learn the correct way of taking the ball and you must remember that on the field you may be called upon to catch a kick at any time.  Should you fail the result is often worse than if a pass has been dropped, because the opposition is following the ball through in the hope that you will drop or fumble it. 

The following are the main points to be remembered when gathering a kick: 

  • Watch the ball - from the time it leaves the kicker's foot, travelling through the air to your arms.
  • Put your hands through the air as if searching for the ball.
  • As the ball comes to you, bring your elbows together almost in front of your body.
  • Cup your arms so that the ball will fall into them and can be pulled into your body.
  • Hug the ball to the body with the forearms and hands.
  • Your body should "give", or move downwards, do that it will not be rigid and bounce the ball out of your grasp.
  • The chest should be drawn in and the shoulders rounded. This keeps the chest out of the way and also prevents the ball from bouncing off it.
  • The ball is taken more on the forearms and drawn in on the chest.
Catching the ball
Catching the ball - high up on chest, 
arms forming cradle for the ball.
[Webmaster's note: Above pic of the great Reg Gasnier - proud to wear the Red V]
HOW TO PRACTICE YOUR CATCHING
  Good practice for youngsters is to have someone throw you a ball high in the air. 
  Later on practice catching under pressure - have one player throw you the ball with the rest of the team charging down. 
  After you have learned how to catch the ball, it is an idea to turn your hip (left of right) to make it harder for would-be tacklers to tackle you. 

KICKING

  Concentration is most important if you want to be an effective kicker. Your eyes must be kept on the ball right until your boot makes contact with it at the required spot. Faulty kicks are usually the result of the kicker not watching the ball and generally faulty kicks give the other team possession. 
  When you kick, follow through with your kicking leg.  This is most important and cannot be stressed strongly enough. 
  The arms are an important point in kicking, as they help you to keep balanced. Your head should be kept down with your eyes on the ball.  Don't worry about distance - this will come later.  It is as important to be able to kick properly. 
  Let us now go through the correct procedure for each separate kicking function. As you read and learn, look at the picture. 

THE PUNT
  An accurate punt kicker is an asset to any side.  He can gain valuable ground with line kicking an upset a team that is standing up on his team. 

The punt kick
The punt kick. Notice complete follow-through
and perfect balance achieved by kicker.

Points  to Watch:

  • Holding the ball (for the right foot kicker). The right hand is held under the ball slightly to the right of centre. Extend the fingers of the left hand down the left side of the ball to steady it.
  • Keep your eyes on the ball until it makes contact with your foot. Point your foot downwards and in the direction you want the ball to travel.
  • As you make contact follow through with your foot and draw your arms in to help you balance.

    • Variation:  The "torpedo kick" - the same as above but drop the ball so contact is made to the right side of your boot and twist your foot slightly towards the left.  The "torpedo kick" can give you great distance.
THE DROP KICK
  Principals are the same as in the punt kick.  The ball should be held with the fingers spread evenly on both sides; thumbs about 1 inch from the lacing.  Your arms should be extended to a comfortable position (don't strain) from the body and for the right foot kicker the right hand controls the drop of the ball to the ground to reach it at about 45°. 
The Drop Kick
The Drop Kick.  Arms out to give balance - ball falling at 45°.

Points to Watch:

  • Don't try to kick the ball too hard.
  • Make sure you keep your eyes on  the ball, allow the ball to fall at about 45° and drop it at arm's length.
  • Once again the follow-through is important, with your arms out to the side to keep your balance.
  • The straighter you drop the ball, the higher in the air it goes.
A sequence phot of the Drop Kick - (1) About to kick (2) After kicking
A sequence photo of the Drop Kick - (1) About to kick  (2) After kicking
    Variation: The stab kick - this is quick and effective. The ball is dropped closer to the body at about 60° and you kick more with the upper part of your boot.  The follow-through is not used in this kick, so the ball keeps low - its most valuable feature is that it is excellent for long accurate "passing". Principles are as for the drop kick.
THE PLACE KICK
  A very important kick, as often it is a place kick that can win or lose a match.  For any player who has a certain amount of kicking ability the place kick should not prove to hard.  Practice is the key to successful place kicking. 
  There are several methods of place kicking - you can try them all but the suggested method has proved itself over the years as being the most effective.  Make a good place for the ball (a mound of earth dug with the heel of your foot) to rest on.  Place the ball so that if kicking for goal, you line the ball up with the centre of the goal mouth, to land beyond the goal. For lining up use the top of the seam as a guide.  When you know you have the ball lined up take your paces back in slow, easy relaxed steps, keeping your eyes at all times on the ball.  Come in at a natural run, don't try any fancy steps as this will tend to set you off balance.  At the moment of impact the non-kicking foot should be in line with the ball. 
  After the kick has been made the kicking leg should follow right through in the direction of the kick; once again your arms are used for balance.  Of course allowance must be made for wind, and this can only come with experience and practice. 
The Place Kick.
The Place Kick. The kicking leg following all the way through

Points to Watch:

  • Don't run up to close to the ball, as you will be put off balance.
  • Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
  • Line up the ball properly and follow through with your leg.
  • Practice and a great deal of concentration will make you a good goal kicker.
Bordeaux, France, 1963 Bordeaux, France, 1963: John Raper, of Australia, receives
the ball from team-mate Walsh (No. 25) during an action shot
in the first Rugby Test Match between France and Australia at Bordeaux.
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