The Australian Wing Three Quarter, David Campese, made the Goose Step famous and perfected its use making it a trademark attacking ploy. In more recent times, The Rugby Guy who is regarded as the biggest rugby influencer in the world has brought the Goose Step back to mainstream popularity through his vastly popular social media clips rating players Gooseys as well as demonstrating his own prowess on video. The Rugby Guy’s distinctive Goose can be identified by the unique backward head movement whilst doing the goose. He has also popularised the phrase “Let the Goose Loose.”
As a result of these videos, the Goose Step has seen a resurgence in use in the professional arena with numerous players utilising the Goose Step to beat defenders with these videos making their way onto social media with great appreciation from rugby fans worldwide.
The purpose of the movement is to change the speed of the attacking player, therefore, disrupting the timing of the defensive players.
It was used by Campese very effectively once he broke the first line of defence and found himself in open territory being chased by the cover defenders.
What he was trying to do was to change the pace of his run while still maintaining the opportunity to continue at full pace.
In effect what he did was change his normal sprint stride while not changing the cadence of his stride thus minimising the disruption to his ability to maintain top pace.
KEY FACTORS
Continue to run at full pace
Wait until the cover defenders are also at full pace
Wait until the defenders are no less than 8 metres away from you
Straighten both legs
Lean back into the stride
Kick the legs out fully straightened
Lean forward into your stride and continue accelerating
Hold the ball in the arm away from the defender.