Kickers use a place kick for a penalty kick at goal, a conversion attempt after a try has been scored and to start the game. Kickers today use a kicking tee, a bit like a golf tee, which helps raise the ball and helps them make better contact with the ball. If the kicker becomes an accurate, reliable place kicker, they will become a very important member of the team, because successful penalty kicks and conversions keep the scoreboard ticking over. Each team needs a reliable specialist place kicker. To reach this level needs practice kicking at least five times a week to develop a kicking routine and the necessary technique.

Different place kickers place the ball on the tee at different angles and use a variety of approach runs. We will concentrate on the "round the corner" method. If you players do not have a kicking tee, use a marker cone or sand, or just place the ball upright in the ground ( the kicker may need to use their heel to make a dent in which to place the ball). The kicker needs to focus on the target area, keep their eyes on the back of the ball ("sweet spot") about a third of the way up the back of the ball

Take care to place the ball in exactly the same position at every kick and establish and keep to the same routine at every kick. Use a fixed point on the ball, e.g. a letter in the manufacturers name or use the position of the seam as "gun sights" to focus and help target the kick.

To execute the place kick (for a right footed kicker), place the left foot alongside the ball and the right foot behind it. Then take between 3 & 7 strides back from the ball and 2 steps sideways.

Once the kicker is in his "start" position he needs to visualise all aspect of the kick before they start. Relax, take a couple of breaths, visualise the approach, the placement of the left foot, the impact on the "sweet spot" and the follow-through, remain focused on a successful kick and see the ball soaring between the posts.

Keeping their eyes on the sweet spot of the ball, approach the ball in a balanced, controlled stride. Plant the non-kicking foot alongside the ball with the last stride. Keep focusing on the back of the bal. Keep the weight on the left leg and make contact with the instep or top of the big toe. Use the arms to accelerate rate the transfer of momentum from the run to the swing of the kicking leg through the ball and use the left arm to maintain balance.

To finish the place kick, watch the impact of your foot on the ball and follow through with a high leg "pointing" to where the ball is going.

Preparation	Execution	Follow-Through
Tee ball up vertically Select target and visualise the path of the ball Keep eyes on sweet spot Line ball up with posts Place left foot beside the ball Take 3-7 paces back & 2 to left Breathe deep, relax and focus on success	Approach ball at a slow steady approach Plant non-kicking foot beside the ball Head down Use arm for balance Keep kicking foot extended, make contact with instep or top of big toe Weight on non-kicking leg	Head down after kick Watch the ball leave the boot Kicking leg high and towards the target Kicking foot settles beside the planted foot

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