General Kicking Advice

[Come on England]

I'm knew to the number 10 role, and was looking for a bit of advice. My kicking game is relatively solid but my decision making needs working on. For example, if I take the ball deep inside my own half, out side of my own 22, what is the correct option. Obviously I can't kick directly to touch and I don't want to supply the opposition back 3 with attacking ball, so what's the best decision to make in situations similar to this ?

 

[Zed]

but my decision making needs working on.

That's something that comes with time and experience. You need 3 years at 10 before a lot of the decisions you make become second nature. Work on your pass as in ensure you can throw long accurate passes off both sides and carry on working on your kicking. If you're not kicking the ball like an AFL player yet, learn to do so (properly), it's a very accurate kick and if perfected will really improve you as a 10.

Obviously I can't kick directly to touch and I don't want to supply the opposition back 3 with attacking ball, so what's the best decision to make in situations similar to this ?

The best decision - too hard to say, there are too many variables, it depends on what stage you're at in the game, whether you're winning or losing, how good the back 3 are etc etc. If you've got a decent kick, you should be able to get it into the oppositions 22, forcing them to try and counter from their 22 (unlikely) or return a kick from which you will get a lineout. Another option is to run a wide move, the oppositions fullback will be deep and possibly the openside wing, so you have the numbers. You run a move that commits the oppositions 13 and prevents him drift defending, leaving you with your fullback and your wing up against their wing, so 2 on 1. There are a number of moves that can 'fix' the 13 e.g 10 passes to 12, 12 takes it on a yard then pops on the outside to the wrapping 10 who throws long pass behind 13s back to the 15 who is running wide on an arc. The key to this move is the 13 - he has to angle back in slightly and he has to look like he's getting the ball. His opposite man has to stay in and can't drift out wide. This move only works when the oppositions fullback is deep, but it is very effective and almost impossible to defend against.

 

[Zed]

You're most welcome..