A drop kick in rugby means dropping the ball so it touches the ground and kicking it on the half-volley as it bounces back up. To do it well, hold the ball upright or tilted slightly back with your hands on its sides, guide it straight down close to your kicking foot, and strike it just as it touches the ground and starts to rise, keeping your head down and chest over the ball, then follow through toward your target. Drop kicks are used for drop goals, which are worth three points in rugby union, as well as for kick-offs, restarts after points and 22-metre and goal-line drop-outs. The hardest part is the drop itself, so the best way to improve is to practice dropping the ball consistently before worrying about power or distance.
Rulebook note: Laws referenced here follow World Rugby’s Laws of the Game for rugby union. Rugby league scores a drop goal as one point, sevens uses drop kicks for conversions, and domestic competitions may differ, so check the current laws for your competition.
Drop kick technique
| Step | Key point |
|---|---|
| Hold | Ball upright or tilted slightly back, hands on the sides |
| Drop | Guide it straight down close to the kicking foot |
| Timing | Strike just as it touches the ground and starts to rise |
| Body | Head down, chest over the ball |
| Contact | Instep or lower laces strike the lower part of the ball |
| Follow-through | Kick through toward the target |
How to drop kick step by step
- Stand facing the target with the ball in both hands at waist height.
- Hold the ball with the point down, upright or tilted slightly back toward you, hands on the sides.
- Take a short approach, usually one or two steps, planting your non-kicking foot beside where the ball will land.
- Drop the ball straight down, guiding it rather than throwing it, so it lands on its point just in front of your kicking foot.
- Keep your eyes on the ball and your head steady as it falls.
- Swing your kicking leg so your foot meets the ball at the moment it touches the ground and begins to rise.
- Strike through the lower part of the ball with the instep or lower laces, ankle locked.
- Follow through toward the target, letting your body move forward.
The drop is everything
Most drop kick errors begin with the drop. If the ball is tossed forward, tilted at a different angle each time or dropped from too high, it bounces unpredictably, and even a perfect swing will produce an erratic kick. Aim to release the ball from a low, consistent height and let it fall vertically onto its point. Some kickers prefer a slight backward tilt so the ball kicks up into the foot. Whatever you choose, make it the same every time. Practicing drops without kicking, simply dropping and catching the ball, is one of the most useful drills for building consistency.
Timing the strike
The ideal moment to strike is just as the ball meets the ground and begins to rebound. Kicking too early, before the ball lands, turns the kick into a punt, which is not a legal drop kick. Kicking too late, after the ball has bounced too high, usually produces a weak, skewed kick. Keeping your chest over the ball and your weight moving forward helps you catch it at the right moment and keeps the trajectory controlled.
Uses of the drop kick
Drop goals: A drop goal is scored when a player drop kicks the ball over the crossbar and between the posts during open play. In rugby union it is worth three points, making it a valuable option late in close games or when a team is struggling to break the defense.
Kick-offs and restarts: Play starts and restarts after points with a drop kick from the center of the halfway line, which must travel at least ten meters into the opponent’s half.
Drop-outs: The defending team restarts play from their 22-metre line or goal line with a drop kick in certain in-goal situations.
Sevens conversions: In rugby sevens, conversions are taken as drop kicks rather than place kicks, to save time.
Adjusting for distance and height
Different situations call for different drop kicks. A drop goal needs enough height to clear the crossbar and the outstretched arms of charging defenders, plus enough distance to reach the posts. A long kick-off or drop-out needs hang time so chasers can arrive as the ball comes down. A short restart needs a softer, precise kick that just crosses the required line. To add height, strike slightly lower on the ball and let your follow-through rise. For distance, drive through the ball with a stronger, longer swing. For short kicks, shorten your approach and use a controlled, compact swing. Practicing each type separately helps you choose the right kick in a match.
Playing in wind and rain
Conditions affect drop kicks more than many players expect. A wet, heavy ball bounces less and can skid off the surface, so drop it carefully and be ready for a lower rebound. On soft or muddy ground, the ball may not bounce cleanly at all, which is one reason drop goals are harder in winter conditions. Wind can push the ball off line, especially on high kicks, so aim to compensate for crosswinds and choose lower trajectories when kicking into a strong headwind. Practicing in poor weather builds confidence for match days.
Drop goals in open play
Taking a drop goal during a match requires quick decision-making and good support. The fly half usually sits a few meters deeper than normal to create time and space, and the scrum half delivers a fast, accurate pass. Forwards may set up several phases close to the posts to draw defenders in before the attempt. Because defenders rush to charge down the kick, a quick, compact technique is essential. Practicing drop goals under pressure, with defenders running at you, helps prepare for match situations.
Practice drills
- Drop and catch: drop the ball and catch it after the bounce to perfect a consistent drop.
- Short-range kicks to a partner: focus on clean contact rather than distance.
- Target kicking: aim at cones or a crossbar from close range, gradually moving back.
- Both feet: practice with your weaker foot to become more versatile.
- Pressure drop goals: have teammates run at you to simulate charge-downs.
- Restart practice: rehearse kick-offs and drop-outs with chasers.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Throwing the ball forward instead of dropping it straight down.
- Dropping from too high, which makes the bounce harder to time.
- Kicking before the ball lands, turning it into a punt.
- Leaning back, which sends the ball too high and short.
- Lifting the head before contact.
- Rushing the kick under pressure without a clear technique.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a drop goal worth?
In rugby union, a drop goal is worth three points. In rugby league, it is worth one point.
What is the difference between a drop kick and a punt?
In a drop kick, the ball touches the ground before it is kicked. In a punt, the ball is kicked before it touches the ground.
Why are drop goals less common today?
Teams often prefer to keep possession and look for tries, although drop goals remain useful in tight games and tournament play.
