This one’s for the goal kickers—the players I love the most. The players that Rugby Bricks was built for. The reason I started this whole thing was to look after kickers, to build better tools and knowledge around the craft of putting the ball through the posts. So today, we’re diving into The Ten Pillars of Goal Kicking.
These pillars aren’t a technique, and they’re not a “you must do this” kind of checklist. They’re a framework—a set of questions you can ask yourself or your kickers to get clearer on the how and the why behind every part of your kick. The goal is simple: more confidence and more consistency. That’s the Rugby Bricks mission.
Rugby’s Missed Opportunity
Let me make this clear—rugby is still young in terms of professionalism. Compared to sports like golf, basketball, or combat sports, we’re behind when it comes to the detail, the science, the respect for the grind.
In golf, everyone understands you’ve got to work on your putting, your short irons, your swing path, your grip pressure… And we love that complexity. In basketball, we drill footwork, shooting mechanics, defensive positioning—it’s accepted. In rugby? Too often I hear: “Just let the boys play, don’t overcomplicate it.” But if you’re a goal kicker, that mindset won’t get you to 90% off the tee.
We need to lean into the details. That’s where growth lives.
The Ten Pillars
So, what are the Ten Pillars? They’re ten simple but powerful checkpoints that break the goal-kicking process down into something you can actually train, refine, and repeat under pressure.
Let’s walk through them.
1. Mindset
What state are you in when you walk up to the ball? Are you rushed, panicked, or grounded and ready? Something as simple as a breath, or a visual cue in the crowd, can bring you into the present moment. Goal kicking is pressure—how are you managing it?
2. Ball Setup
Where’s the valve? Where are the seams pointing? What angle is the ball leaning on? The setup builds confidence because it’s repeatable. If you don’t know why you place the ball the way you do, you’ve left performance up to chance.
3. Target
What are you aiming for? Is it the middle of the posts, the inside of the upright, or a specific object in the background? Your target influences your ball flight and your intent. If you haven’t thought about this—start now.
4. Approach
Your approach is one of the biggest levers for consistency. Whether it’s Johnny Wilkinson’s shuffle, Dan Carter’s side step, or your own unique rhythm—get it locked in. From the first step to your plant foot, own it.
5. Rodeo Arm
This is your balance arm. For right-footed kickers, it’s the left arm. I coined the term “Rodeo Arm” years ago because it’s like a cowboy hanging on—it keeps you upright, adds balance, and if used right, brings power and distance. Junior kickers often leave it hanging uselessly—don’t be that kicker.
6. Plant Foot
Where does it land? What angle is it on? Your approach dictates this, but your plant foot affects everything from strike zone to power. Nail this, and your consistency goes up tenfold.
7. Kicking Foot
What part of your foot are you striking with? What’s the path of your swing? Are you trying to touch the crossbar with your toes, or are you pulling away too early? Understand the shape, speed, and follow-through of your kick.
8. Compression
This is the magical feel of flush. The hips fire, the body syncs, and the strike is clean. Compression is the sweet spot—it’s the feeling you chase. Don’t just hope for it. Train for it. Focus on timing, body strength, and hip position.
9. Momentum
What happens after the ball leaves your foot? Do you switch off like a vacuum plug falling out of the wall, or do you drive through for half a metre with intent? That extra push keeps your body honest and engaged. Momentum matters.
10. Stay in the Kick
Too many kickers check out early. They fall off, glance up, or quit mid-strike. Staying in the kick means staying present. Head still, body forward, energy committed. Finish the job.
The Truth About “What Works for Me”
A final challenge for you: if your kicking percentage is sitting at 63% or even 72%, and you’re saying, “This works for me,”—it doesn’t.
Not if you want to be world-class.
That statement is only valid when you’re living in the high 80s and climbing into the 90s. And if you’re not there yet, then it’s time to get curious, get detailed, and start using this framework to figure out who you are as a goal kicker.
Homework for Kickers
Write down all 10 pillars. Beside each one, write out a sentence or two. Nothing fancy—just what you know about your process. You’ll quickly see where the gaps are and where you need to experiment, learn, and improve.
This is the real work of becoming a consistent, confident, reliable kicker.
See you on the next one—and when you’re done with that, I suppose you’re gonna fly.