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The fly half is the pivotal attacking position in the team. With the full compliment of running, passing and kicking skills, they decide what to do and when to do it.
The fly half position on the field is crucial to how they mount an attack; they decide when to run and break through the opposition defence or bring the centres, wings and forwards into play with a variety of passes or kicks.
They are also often responsible for organising the back line defence for set pieces.
They should be a competent kicker out of hand, placing high or diagonal kicks or threading chip or grubber kicks to keep possession and threaten the opposition try line. Also, they may have to make long clearing kicks to ‘touch’ to relive pressure on their defensive line.
Often the place kicker too, a fly half should be nerveless when they kick for goal.
Practices should include:
Running – receiving passes from different angles and distances, while static and on the move
Running – making explosive breaks with ball in hand, with evasive running skills to avoid contact
Kicking – all types of kicks with both feet, varying the amounts of pressure and the difficulty of target
Kicking – place kicking for goal from different angles and distances
Passing – range of passing while on the run