Kickoff Alignment

I am looking for a set up for receiving a kickoff in rugby. We are using the expoloded scrum method and marking their forwards on the kickoff now. But if the forwards move or are split we end up looking like the Keystone Cops trying to match. What is a prefered set up?

This is a formation I have used and I think fairly well accepted. The ball is most likely to go to the forwards high and near the 10 meter line. Tall locks are best to take this catch with their hieight advantage squpported possibly in the air if they are good enough by the props but certianly once they hit the ground they have the tight 5 right there for the very physical contest that ensues when the ball is kicked off here. The loose forwards then can suppport or provide running options as required.

Should the ball go over the tight fives heads then the loose forwards can be there. They have more time for these deeper kick offs and can get the ball out to the backs or between themselves and start running. 

 

The wingers and fullback who shoudl all be good under big kicks hold up for the really deep kick offs.

Just in case they go for a kick off on the wrong side the backs clean that side up but they should be prepared to move it as there is little support over there.

I like this set up because most options at the kick off are well covered and from the kickers point of view the  field appears to be completely covered.

A couple of sublties to remember%3A

It is always better to run onto the ball rather than back to it. Therefore the tight five should stand back of the 10 metre and the outside prop/lock pair shoudl be quite close to the sideline (this means you are always running to the ball) and if the ball is going out on the full it easier to see. Some coaches even suggest standing on the sideline but I think that is too far away.

If the ball has gone over a players head he should call it over and allow a player from behind him to go for it. If the reciever drops the ball and it is not knocked on a player from behind shoudl clean it up.