Contestable kicks have become an increasingly prevalent part of the modern game.
A contestable kick is one which is put up into the air by the attacking team with the idea that their team will be involved in the contest for the ball.
The 50/50 Myth: Why Kicking is Rugby’s Most Misunderstood Possession Tool
Modern rugby is seeing a massive increase in the amount of kicking that is done in the game.
Kicking is used to control territory in the game of rugby, and the opposition are of minimal danger to you if they are on the opposite end of the pitch. The contestable kick is used to create transitional situations. When planned and controlled properly, they can be relatively low risk but can create a brilliant opportunity if it goes well.
More than a punt: Defining the modern contestable kick
Contestable kicks, when done well in the modern era, are intentional. By definition, it leads to competition in the air. When attempted from a box kick from 9, the defences and chase are normally set, and therefore, typically, the focus is on creating unpredictability when the attack has gone stale. In open play, kicks will aim to shift the players in the backfield and can use the touchlines to pin the defensive teams from all angles.
The physics of the flight: Hang time and the “Sweet Spot”
The ideal kick will allow for just one player on each side to arrive and hang their jump in the air to get the most height. With a contestable kick, the team that has kicked is the most likely to be running onto the ball. This allows the chaser to attack the ball in the air using the momentum of their run to help them jump when claiming the ball. The misjudgment of the kick either way can swing the probability of winning the ball back to the other team. A misjudged kick can also put the chaser at risk of getting penalised if they arrive when the other player is in the air.
The engine room of the aerial battle: The importance of the chase
The chase being right for a tactic like this is nearly as important as the kick itself. The chase will be headed up by one player. This is typically a winger or full back who is good in the air. A good chase will have one or two players who run past the contest. They snap up any balls slapped back by the opposition. The remaining chase should then form a solid defensive line. This is prepared to defend if the opposition comes away with the ball.
Psychological warfare: Forcing errors under pressure
Sometimes we treat professional athletes like video game characters and expect them to react perfectly in every scenario. However, at the end of the day, they are human. They have emotions, fear and confidence. As a defensive player under a high-ball, you are typically isolated. At the very best, you are entering a 1-v-1 contest. In a well-structured kick chase, even if the player does catch the ball, they will know they are going to get hit hard by the on-rushing chase.
Given the higher risk to the defender across all fronts, the pressure can easily lead to mistakes. The attacker chasing the ball, even if he knocks the ball on, only gives away a scrum in the defensive half. A knock-on for the defender gives the attacking team a scrum advantage as the chasing line approaches and is ready to pounce.
Adapting to the officials: Navigating the laws of the air
The contestable kick was given a big shake-up when the laws changed in 2024. Players were no longer allowed to escort others and had to offer a clear running line to the opposition. This made the aerial battle more of an evenly matched contest. The Dupont Law was also introduced at this time. Players had to actively treat when the ball had been kicked to get to an onside position. This has made kicking from open play less useful and encourages more strategic and targeted kicking.
