Kicking for points

[OLDDOG]

After seeing quade have a great game today, blotted only by his slightly out of touch radar boot tonite, I would like to put forward the suggestion that Link allows his designated kicker to only miss two "reasonable" conversion attempts in a row. If that happens, the player is having an off night with the radar - dont care who it is, it happens to the best of them. I see it time and time again, coaches sticking with kickers who are jussssst missing . My suggestion, is to switch to a fall-back kicker (harris) in this case.

Kicking is an art form, and you have to be in tune on the day. If you're not, hand the kicking duties over - no disgrace, just try again next week.

I feel the reds are missing out on crucial points difference advantage for when we get to the pointy end of the season.........

 

[ripper868]

Don't need points differential when you only lose one game all season.

Won't be surprised to see Harris take over the duties full time - pending confirmation of his spot at 12 and Ant at 13.

I think the kicking is something Link leaves to Cooper and Harris to decide - As we saw v the Lions Quade was quick to give it over to Harris who duly knocked over 6/6.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Speaking of kicking for goal.. Tahs going for goal 20 or so points behind into the 2nd half? What was the go? I was only have watching at the time but I was a bit confused at the situation.

 

[liquor box]

I somewhat agree about having an "on" or "off" day but if you have the best kicker in the team taking the shots then it may be like a coin toss situation where there is a straight out 50/50 chance, sometimes you may get on a roll and get 5 heads in a row, or 5 tails, but ultimately it is a 50/50 chance on each kick.

 

[Tangawizi]

Quade cannot seem to kick from the right side of the field. Not sure if it nerves or what. Now that Harris seems to be establishing himself as a certain starter, I think he should get the goal kicking gig.

 

[TOCC]

Quade cannot seem to kick from the right side of the field. Not sure if it nerves or what. Now that Harris seems to be establishing himself as a certain starter, I think he should get the goal kicking gig.

Its because his kicks hook to the left, he needs to aim to the right of the post and then bring it around, however by hooking the ball as to run parallel to the try line, by the laws of trigonometry you are reducing the target width of the goal posts. Its why he was receiving coaching from Braam? to remove the hook from his kicking.


Lately his kicks have been very straight, the hook is indeed significantly reduced from his kicks, but i suspect this is why his kicking has been astray the last few weeks as he struggles to adapt to the new technique. I also suspect this is why Link persists in using him as the primary kicker, a small investment now(ie missed kicks) will pay dividends down the track as he works through his technique, you cant replicate game conditions on the training pitch.