The Fly Half should be the essential pivot of the back line and in this capacity he must control the pattern of play in order to maximise the talent within the team. Practice kicking towards touch but keeping the ball in play to force the opposition to concede a line-out

GENERAL. The No. 10 is the pivotal position in the team. The fly half is a key decision-maker as he often will decide the direction (left/right) of the next play and whether the ball is passed (long or short), kicked, taken into contact or a break made.

VISION. Ideally the fly half needs to be an excellent tactician with the ability to play to the strengths of the team. Even before he gets the ball in his hands, he must have weighed up the situation so that he can decide accurately whether to move the ball along the threequaarters, to go for a break of whether tokick.

ATTACK. Fly halves increasingly take the ball "flat" to threaten the opposition at the "gain line". The fly half may attempt to Break orretain possession on contact. He may bring hiscentres, wings or forwards into play by a variety of passes. He may execute a variety of attacking kicks,

DEFENCE. The fly half must be able to play a full role in defence as a tackler and needs to be able to co-ordinate back line defence from set pieces.

KICKING. The fly half will often be the team place kicker (a vital role) and may well be the team re-start kicker from the halfway and 22m drop out. In attack he will kick high, grubber, chip or diagonals. He may drop for goal. In defence he may kick for touch to relieve pressure or kick long into the opposition half.

1. End over end technique:
• Hold the ball slightly outside the line of the body, which enables greater swing of the kicking
leg.
• Release hands to the side, allowing the ball to drop in correct shape. Never throw the ball up or
push it down as either action on the ball ball will force a deviation from the desired kicking
shape
• Head over the ball and look down as you strike the ball.
• Kick through and beyond the ball.
• Follow through, left hand to right foot (right footed kickers), right hand to left foot (left footed
kickers).
• Continue movement forward after the kick, using body momentum for extra power and distance.
2. Spiral punt technique:
• Hold the ball slightly outside the line of the body (as above).
• Desired ball position: for a left-footed kicker, 1 and 7 on a clock; for a right-footed kicker, 11
and 5 on a clock.
• Dropping the ball from this position, not a slicing kicking action, will create the spiral.
• Release hand to the side, almost placing the ball on a shelf, and release. Never throw the ball up
or push it down as this will deviate the ball from the desired strike shape
• Head over the ball and look down when you strike.
• Kick through and beyond ball, creating forward momentum.
• Continue this forward momentum after kick.
3. Chip Kick
In order to execute this kick successfully, scan for space beyond the approaching defenders. A poor
chip kick will cause a perfect attacking opportunity for the opposition against limited defenders.
Chip Kick Technique:
• Control of the ball is crucial as you will be running at pace when attempting to execute the kick.
• Release ball from two hands. Do not throw the ball up or push it down.
• Head down and over the ball on contact. Try to avoid looking at oncoming defenders.
• Strike the ball lower to the ground than when spiral or end-over-end kicking; this creates more
control whilst kicking on the run.
• Look to aim to catch the ball yourself, judge the pace at which you are going and the target
space area.
4. Goal Kicking
Very important kick in today’s game. The full-back, along with the fly-half, are usually the main
goal kickers.
Goal Kicking Technique (brief):
• Align ball on a kicking tee. The exact position will be specific to individuals, dependent on
approach, strike, habits etc.
• A slow, calculated approach is best. Power comes from last step, not a pacey approach to the
ball.
• Focus on the point of contact on the ball, not the target. This will keep the head down.
• Shoulders kept tight in a coil ready to open on contact with the ball.
• Non-kicking foot should be aligned straight towards the posts (target).
• Kicking foot:
1. Come straight from six inches behind ball.
2. Strike ball.
3. Follow foot straight for another six inches towards the target.
• Head down and over ball on contact.
• Shoulders turn to face posts on contact, then hold straight in follow through.
• Follow through forward and towards target, never fall away after the strike.