Kicking in Rugby: Rules & When to Kick

Kicking is one of the most thrilling, tactical, and misunderstood parts of rugby union. One moment, the crowd at Twickenham Stadium is roaring as Marcus Smith launches a towering up-and-under; the next, they’re holding their breath as Owen Farrell lines up a penalty that could decide a Six Nations Championship clash. But when can you kick? What are you trying to achieve? And what stops it from just being a game of aerial ping-pong?

If you’ve ever watched England Rugby and wondered why they kicked possession away, or what all those different kicks are called, you’re in the right place. This guide will break down the essential rules and the crucial "why" behind every boot on the ball. By the end, you’ll not only understand the laws but also the strategic thinking that goes into every kick from Steve Borthwick’s side.

Let’s get into it.

What You Need to Know Before We Start

Before we dive into the step-by-step types and rules, let’s cover the absolute bedrock. You don’t need boots and a ball, just a basic understanding of two things:

1. The Primary Objective: The aim is to score more points than the opposition. Kicking is a tool to achieve this, not an end in itself. It’s used to gain territory, apply pressure, restart play, or score points directly.


2. The Two States of Play: The kicking rules differ depending on whether you are in open play or at a set-piece (like a lineout or scrum). We’ll focus mainly on open-play kicks here.

Got it? Good. Now, let’s walk through the main types of kicks, their rules, and—most importantly—when you’d use them.

Step 1: Mastering the Territory Gainer – The Box Kick & The Grubber

These are your go-to kicks for getting out of trouble or attacking in the opposition’s half.

The Box Kick (or Up-and-Under):
What it is: A high, hanging kick usually made by the scrum-half from behind a ruck. It’s designed to contest possession in the air.
The Rules: The kicker must be behind the hindmost foot of the ruck. Chasing players must be behind the kicker until he has kicked the ball. It’s all about timing the chase to hit the catcher as he lands.
When to Use It: Used to exit your own 22m area under pressure, or to test a back-three player under the high ball. Think of Ellis Genge and the forwards charging after the kick to smash the catcher.

The Grubber Kick:
What it is: A kick along the ground, making it tricky to gather.
The Rules: It’s a live ball on the ground, so anyone can dive on it if they are onside. The offside line is created at the moment of the kick.
When to Use It: Perfect for attacking when the opposition’s defensive line is flat and fast. A well-weighted grubber behind them forces a turn and lets speedy wingers like the Red Rose's finishers chase through. It’s a low-risk, high-reward option in the attacking 22.

> Pro Tip: The key to a good territorial kick isn’t just distance—it’s about giving your chasers time to get there. Height is often more valuable than pure length.

Step 2: Going for Points – The Place Kick & Drop Goal

This is where points go directly on the board. Cool heads under pressure are mandatory.

The Place Kick (Penalties & Conversions):
What it is: A stationary ball kicked from the ground, using a tee or a sand mound.
The Rules:
Penalty Kick: Awarded for major infringements. You can kick for goal (the posts), kick for touch (with the lineout throw coming back to you), take a scrum, or tap and run. The clock is stopped for a penalty kick at goal.
Conversion: Taken after a try is scored. The kick is taken in line with where the try was scored, so scoring under the posts makes the conversion easier. You have 90 seconds from the time you indicate your intention to kick.
When to Use It: The decision to "take the points" via a penalty is a huge tactical call. In a tight Autumn Nations Series game, Owen Farrell might slot three points to build a lead. In a must-win Calcutta Cup match, you might kick to the corner for a driving maul to chase seven points.

The Drop Goal:
What it is: A kick at goal where the ball is dropped onto the ground and kicked on the half-volley during open play.
The Rules: Can be attempted at any time during open play. The ball must touch the ground before being kicked. If successful, it’s worth three points.
When to Use It: The ultimate pressure-release valve. When phases are building but a try seems elusive, a smart fly-half like Marcus Smith can drop back in the pocket and snatch three points. It’s a classic way to break a deadlock.

Step 3: Restarting Play – The Kick-Off & 22-Drop Out

How the game starts and restarts is governed by strict rules.

The Kick-Off (Halfway Line):
What it is: The kick that starts each half and restarts play after a score.
The Rules: The ball must travel at least 10 metres forward. If it goes directly into touch, the opposition gets the option of a scrum on halfway or a lineout where it went out. If it doesn’t go 10m, the opposition gets a scrum on halfway.
When to Use It: This is your first attacking set-piece. Teams like England Rugby will often kick high and short, aiming to contest and win the ball back immediately in opposition territory.

The 22-Metre Drop Out:
What it is: A restart from your own 22m line when you have made the ball dead in your own in-goal area (and you didn’t carry it back).
The Rules: It must be a drop kick (like a drop goal). The ball must cross the 22m line. If it goes directly into touch, the lineout is level with where it was kicked from, unless it bounces first.
When to Use It: A defensive restart. The aim is to find touch with a big kick or, if you’re chasing, to kick long and contest. Poor exits invite pressure, as the Rugby Football Union's high-performance analysts will tell you.

Step 4: The Tactical Kicks in Open Play – The Punt & The Chip

These are the spontaneous, instinctive kicks that unlock defences.

The Punt (or Touch-Finder):
What it is: A long, spiralling kick aimed at finding touch and gaining ground.
The Rules: If you kick to touch from outside your 22m area, the lineout is taken level with where you kicked it. If you kick from inside your 22m and it bounces before going out, the lineout is where it went out. If you kick directly out from inside your 22m, the lineout comes back to where you kicked it—a costly error.
When to Use It: To clear your lines with certainty. A booming touch-finder from your own half by a full-back can flip the field position completely, turning defence into attack.

The Chip Kick:
What it is: A short, delicate kick over the heads of the onrushing defensive line.
The Rules: Standard open-play rules apply. The kicker and chasers must be onside.
When to Use It: Used against an aggressive, blitz defence. A well-executed chip, like those Marcus Smith is known for, can sit up perfectly for a winger running onto it at full pace, leaving the defence stranded.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake: Kicking Possession Away Aimlessly.
Pro Tip: Every kick should have a clear purpose—territory, contest, or points. Steve Borthwick drills into his side the need for a "kick pressure" strategy, where every kick is part of a plan to win the ball back or squeeze the opponent.
Mistake: Not Understanding the "Directly Into Touch" Rule.
Pro Tip: This is a killer. Always know where your feet are. Kicking directly out from inside your 22 is a gift of territory and possession to the other team. It’s the kind of error that loses tight games for the Red Rose.
Mistake: Chasers Being Offside.
Pro Tip: The chasers must be behind the kicker. A player in front is offside and will be penalised if they interfere. Watch how players like Maro Itoje time their runs to perfection to be legal and devastating.
Mistake: Taking Too Long on a Conversion.
Pro Tip: You have 90 seconds. Use a consistent routine, but don't dawdle. In a fiery Millennium Trophy contest, wasting time can break your own momentum.

Your Rugby Kicking Rules Checklist

Here’s a quick-fire summary of everything we’ve covered. Use this as your mental checklist when watching the next England game.

Identify the Goal: Is this kick for territory, contest, or points?
Know Your Location: Are you inside or outside your 22m line? The touch rules change.
Choose Your Kick Type:
To exit/contest: Box Kick or Punt to Touch.
To attack a flat line: Grubber or Chip.
To score: Place Kick (penalty/conversion) or Drop Goal.
Execute the Basics: Get your drop/punt/place technique right. Height for contest, spiral for distance.
Chase Legally & Hard: Ensure chasers are onside. Your kick is only as good as the pressure that follows it. Channel the energy of Ellis Genge leading the charge.
* Understand the Restart Rules: Nail your kick-offs (must go 10m) and 22 drop-outs (must be a drop kick).

Understanding kicking transforms how you see the game. It’s not random—it’s a calculated chess match played at 100 miles per hour. Next time you see Owen Farrell point to the posts or Marcus Smith dink a chip through, you’ll know the rules, the strategy, and the high-stakes thinking behind it.

Want to build on these rugby basics? Learn how a team uses a rugby lineout guide to turn a penalty kick to touch into a try, or check out our guide on rugby positions explained to see which players are responsible for all these different kicks.