Last week I reviewed the performance of Will Genia when the Reds played the Cheetahs. A lot of the discussion that arose from that article focussed on Genia’s kicking and in particular, his box kicking.
I made some comments in response but I thought the whole topic of box kicks was one worth expanding on including why the box kick is important, the technique involved and the role of the players forming the screen in front of the kicker.
Why use a box kick?
The most common use for a box kick is as an exit option from within the 22 where the ball can be kicked directly into touch.
But why use a box kick instead of a pass to a kicker behind the line who should have more time and angle to make a longer kick? There are two answers to this question; the pass back to a kicker nullifies some of the potential distance gain over a box kick; and the other players are normally in front of the kicker so can’t start chasing until they are put on side.
The following images show a typical situation where a box kick is normally the preferred choice from last year’s match between England and New Zealand. However, in this case the deep kicking option was used and New Zealand had three chasers ready to apply pressure.
From this position the ball needed to be kicked out. Regardless of the outcome caused by the pressure from the chasers, the length of kick from a well executed kick from 10-12 metres further up the field than Farrell’s depth should have matched the potential length of Farrell’s kick with less risk.
With all of the other England players in front of Farrell none of them would have been able to start chasing if he failed to kick the ball out until he ran forward and put them on side.
The following example demonstrates the much better position the chasers are in as Genia box kicks from a similar field depth to the previous example.
As well as being used as an exit option, many teams use the box kick further up field. New Zealand regularly use the box kick to put up a high ball in mid-field. They don’t look for distance with these kicks – their aim is to make them contestable for the chasers. Again, using the box kick as opposed to a deep kicker gives the chasers a better starting position as you can see in the following example.
The kick goes less than 20 metres forward but the height is sufficient that Read gets to the landing zone before the ball and with his forward momentum leaps high and knocks the ball back for New Zealand to regain.
This box kick is not a defensive kick and is not kicking possession away. It’s part of the game plan and there was obviously a call made so that the chasers knew what was on and could time their runs. The fact that it is so well executed is not luck – all of the skills involved will be practiced regularly.
A box kick is also a really good option when a turnover is achieved. Whenever a team is attacking their fullback and wingers will be close to the attacking line looking to get involved. On a turnover they have to turn and try and get into a deeper position to cover any line break or kick by the opposition.
The time taken for a kicker to get into a position behind the ball and for the ball to be passed back often gives the opposition back three the time they need to get back into position. However a box kick from where the ball is turned over can be made immediately and from a good flat position. This usually means that there is insufficient time for the back three to recover.
Here’s a good example from last year’s Super Rugby final where the Brumbies won the ball from a Chiefs lineout. Nic White kicks immediately the ball is available. You can see in the background that Jesse Mogg, who would have been a good deep kicking option, isn’t in position yet and if White had waited for him the opportunity that arises may have been missed.
The Chiefs back three have not been able to get back deep enough in cover and White’s kick goes over their heads and goes out on the Chiefs 22. You can see the ball doesn’t beat the Chiefs back three by much and this illustrates how that little bit of extra time to pass back to a deep kicker would have eliminated the opportunity for a good gain in territory.
Box kick technique
There is no rigid answer for what is the best technique for the box kick. Players develop their own little variations and over time find out what works best for them.
However, there are three keys that all of the best halfbacks use.
The first key is to start with a wide base with the kicking foot well back from the ball. A wide base provides stability for the next step but also helps to move the body away from the ruck or maul and therefore any players seeking to charge down the kick.
The second key is to take a step away from the ruck or maul with the non-kicking foot. This step turns the hips and shoulders of the kicker towards the sideline and sometimes even towards the corner post if the step is large enough.
The third key is to swing the kicking foot around the body to kick the ball. With the hips and shoulders turned away from the intended direction of the ball the kick is made over the shoulder and slightly backwards.
The following images show these three keys from two different halfbacks.
The key difference between halfbacks is the length and direction of the step with the non-kicking foot. How far back that step is also depends on how much charge down pressure there is.
Following are examples where the halfback doesn’t have to step too far back due to the lack of charge down pressure being applied.
The screen
Players acting as screens must be behind the last feet at the ruck or maul and must not move to obstruct the player rushing through. There also needs to be a gap between them and if they form a solid wall, the team is usually penalised for the halfback running behind players.
When screens are used correctly they make a huge difference to how far back the halfback has to step and how high they have to kick the ball to get it over the player trying to make the charge down. This obviously has a big impact on the distance and accuracy of the kick.
We’ve all seen a number of Genia’s box kicks charged down in the past. He used to be a little too lateral with the step with his non-kicking foot which left him closer to the players trying to make the charge down and therefore gave them an opportunity.
The lack of effective screens, particularly when playing New Zealand teams, has also not helped him with box kicks.
This year he has clearly worked on taking that step further back as shown by the previous images in this article. The position of his feet on the box kick against the Cheetahs a couple of weeks ago that was charged down was also good but with le Roux starting from so far offside he was never going to get that kick over him.
Bakkies
Guest
Scott I suggest you look at Conor Murray's work against France last Saturday. Every box kick he threw had purpose to it. It was a weakness and now due to better coaching has become his strength. With superb aerialists like Kearney, Bowe and Trimble at his disposal he has a chance of getting the ball for his side. Genia has hope if he and his coaches work on it.
Old weary
Guest
A tactic you prob saw being used in the Varsity Cup in SA over the last couple of years was was many guys bind directly behind one another link a conga line, and the ball was moved along the ground back to the half back, giving him plenty of room. Pretty inefficient use of player mind you
expathack
Guest
To be fair to Genia, I think Aus forwards are incredibly bad at protecting him with a screen. NZ and England in particular are incredibly good at this stuff, providing shelter through obstruction without it looking obvious. Really feel that Aus forwards tend to do dumb blatant stuff like just charging through offside at every ruck (Ben Mowen, Stephen Moore I'm looking at you), without being smart enough to do the do the more subtle stuff
allblackfan
Guest
One thing I did notice about Genia's kicks; he's forced to step deeper to take the box kick because he doesn't have enough forwards shielding the ball.
Sandgroper
Guest
Nice work Scott,want a job on the left side of the continent? Having tried and failed at box kicking (I wasn't coached by a pro like you) there were two other factors that good box kickers took into account: 1.The wind direction and strength, and 2. The hang time, ie the loft. Making blokes with no necks look up is always entertaining and a kick that seems to remain suspended causes all sorts of doubt in fat boys trying to catch; some even give up and wait for it to bounce...a cardinal sin I was taught.Anyway letting everyone on your team know that a boxy is on the cards seems to be really hard for some teams. It seems like as big a surprise for their team mates as it is for their opponents. The ABs seem to have a really good simple comms plan when it comes to a box kick, especially an attacking one. Pretty to watch when it comes off, messy when it doesn't! Go the Force,may the box kicking force be with Sias!
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks, nice article. Re Genia and kicks he certainly didn't pay much attention on kick protection. Although it's his team mates up front who's responsible to give him cover. It's still up to him to make sure he does deliver on intent. In the Sharks game, He seemed more conscious of it before his kicks. But Im wondering why there seems to be limited protection from the pack before he kicks. Is it on purpose? Or lack of coordination? I recall some 6N games where the pack was v conscious of the need to protect the kicker expecially when close to their own try line. WBs on the other hand: we can recall the chargedown try by England last year
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
True. It's never illegal to fake a pass when the ball is actually in your hands. One caveat being illegal to fake when throwing into the lineout but that doesn't really count.
Bakkies
Guest
or kick it straight in to tight five forwards like Genia did against England....
MPC
Guest
This is a great article on how effective Aaron Smith uses the box kick. As long as its not TJ Perenara doing the box kicks because he is useless at them
Fair go
Guest
Nice coaching discussion. But no answer to why Genia has such a poor risk profile. I think Genia is not really very sensitive to the moment. You can see in each of the really bad examples (England !) that he has the kick committed very early. Typically a player of his class should have an option that really penalises the aggressive screen defense that the poms and others use against him. But he keeps doing it!
Jerry
Guest
Scrum yes, not sure about ruck. Double checked and it applies to both - can't do anything to make the opposition think the ball is out when it's still in the ruck. That doesn't preclude a dummy of course, the halfback can pick the ball up and throw a dummy pass or kick, he just can't throw a dummy without the ball.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I can still remember the box kick saving the All Blacks' bacon in 2008 when they were having a torrid time clearing the ball in the first two losses against Australia and South Africa. The restarts were a mess, and at Eden Park Ali Williams caught the ball and Cowan did the box kicks. Pretty much cemented his halfback role over Ellis, and we even scored a try off it in that same game.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Awesome piece, Scott. Loved it. I'm still allowed to hate the Box Kick though, right?! (Or perhaps it's just the often poor execution of it that I hate?)
onside
Guest
Is there any relationship between the need to master the art of box kicks, and the rules of rugby being so reliant on the individual whims of referees. I've long held the belief that the game has been completely hijacked by the Referees. They have been allowed to become " part of the show". Some of them strut around like peacocks and often treat enquiries about decisions with dismissive arrogance. Tell me one other international sport where the referees interpretation differs from one to another and often determines the result of the game. This is such a problem ,coaches select teams, decide tactics, conscious of the whims of a particular referee. The Laws of the game remain basically unchanged since its inception but every year we have a different "emphasis" or "interpretation" . The officiating of scrums has become laughable, but the breakdown is indeed farcical ! It is now very stupid to even think of maintaining possession or controlling the football in your own territory, that's why everyone kicks the hell out of it, or tries to master the art of box kicks , so as not to get caught with the ball and be penalised instantly. I know, lets manipulate the rules to encourage everyone to kick it away rather than run with it.... that should catch on and be embraced by the spectators!!! I reckon rugby writers have an almost impossible job of trying to interest other people in the game outside of rusted on rugbyphiles,and even those have dropped in numbers. Diminished growth. Tons of little tackers running around enjoying rugby , but half full stadiums for big matches. Put it this way, if coaches can instruct players to master the art of box kicks ,why cant international referees be instructed to master the art of interpreting the rules of rugby in a consistent, identical manner.
Adam
Guest
Tep, Genia's too often seem to be about a distance of 15m, straight to the opposition. Useless
K Burns
Guest
I believe its illegal to fake pass from the base of ascrum or ruck
soapit
Guest
i know we discussed this the other day scott but perhaps not low percentage in terms of execution but potential outcome is not that great. usually if it actually works and finds space you either just find touch deep. so the opposition will either get a lineout and then kick it out or fetch the bll and then kick it out straight away. the chances of a turnover are low as you wont have many chasers ready to pour through. so most often you end up with a lineout usually not too far upfield from where the turnover occurred. except you now have a set defence to contend with. considering the difficulty breaking down defences this just isnt enough benefit to warrant giving up a chance to run turnover ball. i dont mind them being used occassionally for variety or for game managemtn (say if ur in front prtecting a lead) but it just doesnt stack up to be used as a default option to me.
Scott Allen
Expert
It's a tactical play the Reds (and plenty of other teams use) as evidenced by the chasers who know that on a turnover it's likely that a box kick will follow. Has been used by the Reds for some time, even when Genia has been out injured. Wallabies under McKenzie used it last year as well. I don't see it as a low percentage play but even if you're right, the Reds don't like to play a safe game anyway so why would they eliminate a tactic because it's riskier. Certainly not suggesting it should be the only option on turnovers.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
A lot of the times, the box kick is an option when there's nothing else on. The All Blacks also like to mix up and vary their attack as their patterns of attack become predictable when they attack from the same zones.
bryan
Guest
Its a huge advantage in any sport. But even top line Football, ie soccer, you see one footed players all the time. David Beckham comes to mind. As someone who was taught from a very young age (u6's) to kick with both feet, it is a skill you really have to work on your entire life. Every single training session, you need to do one kick left, one kick right. You leave it out even for a month, and you lose 10-15% of the ability. Junior coaches must push this for kids coming through.