Kick Chase and Catch Drill: Mastering Territorial Pressure and Aerial Contest

Overview

The kick chase is a fundamental element of modern Rugby, turning a seemingly low-percentage kick into a powerful attacking weapon. A well-executed kick chase allows a team to exit their own territory, apply immense pressure on the receiving team, and create opportunities for turnovers or regain possession in an advanced field position. This drill is designed to develop the individual and collective skills required for an effective kick chase, focusing on timing, communication, spacing, and the technique of safely contesting for the ball in the air. It is best used in sessions focused on transition play, territorial advantage, and defensive pressure.

Setup

A successful drill starts with a clear and organized setup. Coaches should ensure all players understand their roles before the first kick.

• Equipment: A good supply of Rugby balls, cones or markers to define the playing area.
• Pitch Setup: Use a 40m x 30m grid. The kicker starts at the baseline, with the chasers 5m behind. The receiving group is positioned 30m upfield.
• Player Positions:
  • Kicking Team (Attackers):
    • 1 x Kicker (Fly-half/10 or Scrum-half/9)
    • 3 x Chasers (e.g., Back-row forwards, centres)
  • Receiving Team (Defenders):
    • 4 x Receivers (e.g., Fullback, wingers, and other backline players)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Kick: The drill begins with the Kicker (10) executing a high, contestable kick (e.g., a box kick or an up-and-under) aiming for the designated landing zone approximately 30m away.
2. The Chase: As the kicker strikes the ball, the three Chasers (C1, C2, C3) advance at speed. They must remain behind the kicker until the ball is in the air to stay onside. Their goal is to arrive at the landing zone at the same time as the ball.
3. Communication: The chasers must communicate with each other to organize the chase. The middle chaser often targets the ball carrier, while the players on either side aim to apply pressure and cut off passing options.
4. The Catch & Contest: The primary Receiver (R1) moves to get under the ball, calling loudly ("My ball!") to alert teammates. As R1 jumps to catch the ball, the arriving chasers (C1, C2) should legally contest for the ball in the air or immediately apply pressure the moment the receiver lands. This is the critical contest moment.
5. Support Play: The other receivers (R2, R3) must read the play and move into supporting positions, anticipating where the catcher will land and providing an immediate offload option or securing the subsequent ruck.

Key Coaching Points

• Quality of Kick: Emphasize a kick with sufficient height ("hang time") to allow the chasers to get into position. A spiral bomb or a well-placed up-and-under is ideal.
• The Chase Line: Chasers should run hard in a coordinated line, maintaining their spacing. Avoid running in a single file. This spreads pressure across the receiving line.
• Eyes on the Ball: All players, both chasers and receivers, must keep their eyes on the ball at all times to accurately judge its flight and landing point.
• Legal Contest: Coach the chasers on the laws of contesting in the air. Players must be in a realistic position to catch the ball and must not tackle a player who is airborne.
• Catcher's Technique: The receiver should get into position early, create a stable base, and jump towards the ball to catch it at the highest point. The call of "My ball!" is non-negotiable.
• Post-Catch Support: The receiver's job isn't done at the catch. They must land safely and look to connect with support players immediately. Support players must be proactive, not reactive.

Common Mistakes

• Chasers Offside: Players starting their chase before the ball is kicked. Reinforce the need to hold their run until the kick is made.
• Poor Communication: The catcher not calling for the ball, leading to confusion and potential collisions between teammates.
• Chasers Overrunning the Ball: A common error where chasers are too fast and cannot effectively contest at the landing zone. Coach them to time their run to the ball's descent.
• Illegal Challenge: Chasers tackling the player in the air or making contact without genuinely attempting to play the ball. This is a penalty offense and must be corrected immediately.
• Receiver Waiting for the Bounce: Encourage receivers to be brave and attack the ball in the air rather than waiting for an unpredictable bounce.

Variations & Progressions

• Easier:
  • Remove the contest initially. Have the chasers run to a designated zone near the catcher without making a challenge to focus on timing and running lines.
  • Use a kicking tee to ensure consistent kick quality while players learn their roles.
• Harder (Progression):
  • Add a Competitive Element: As shown in the diagram below, progress to a full-width scenario. The kicking team must recover the ball or force a turnover. The receiving team aims to secure the ball and launch a counter-attack. This introduces decision-making under pressure.
  • Introduce Blockers: Add two players from the kicking team to run ahead of the chasers (but from an onside position) to legally impede the receiving team's support players, creating more space for the chasers.

Age Adaptations

• Under 10s/12s: Focus purely on the catch technique without any contest. Use soft balls. The "chase" can be a fun race to a cone placed where the ball lands. The emphasis is on tracking the ball and safe catching.
• Under 14s: Introduce a passive contest. The chaser can arrive and put a hand on the catcher's back, but there is no active challenge for the ball. This teaches timing and positioning without the full physical contest.
• Under 16s & Above: Run the drill as described, with a full and legal contest for the ball. Progress to the competitive variations as the players' skills and understanding develop.