What is a box kick and why do scrum-halves use it so much in their games?
The box kick is a much-loved tool in a scrum-half’s arsenal. This function removes the ball from the bottom of the ruck to relieve pressure on your team and turn the situation around for the opposing team. But what is it and why is it used so often in international rugby?
What is a box kick?
A box kick is when the kicker (almost always a scrumhalf) picks up the ball at the base of the ruck and punts it high in the air, often towards the nearest blind side of the field. It is known as the “box” because it is primarily the kicker’s aim to land the ball on a square of grass high up the field, near the touchline and behind the front line of defence.
Sometimes box kicks can be an ideal exit strategy to get the ball out of the field or relieve pressure in one’s own area, but at elite level you will often see box kicks as a means of creating a competitive situation for the pursuers. A ball floating in the air.
England scrumhalf Ben Spencer performs a box kick during the Autumn Nations Series. (Photo credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Ireland’s Conor Murray is considered an expert in box kicks. rugby world: “Distance control is important for a wing or fullback to be able to compete for a kick. I train myself to mark a box about 25 meters away and try to land the ball there as often as possible.
“The optimal distance is 22 to 25 meters, but it depends on the speed of your wings and how high you kick the ball.”
relevant: Conor Murray: How to master the box kick
Another element of the modern box kick you will see is the formation of a long ruck forward to create some distance between the kicker and the defense. You can position the ball for a box kick with the ball on the base.
They will also instruct their pursuers to chase the ball, compete in the air or attempt to pressure/tackle the catching player.
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