The Secret to Straight Kicking

[Triple B]

...but years ago there used to be shoes called Barter Scouts, they had a compas in the the heel......

I doubt the animal footprints on the sole would give enough traction....

[Steve]

It's not exactly rocket science - the more accurate goalkickers are either i) natural / permanent forwards, or ii) very good kicks (and some are both).

We have few natural forwards (that we play anyway), and few elite kicks.

Accuracy for players who've kicked 20+ goals this year:

[neilfws]

Indhi Kirk says "Mum when you kick hold the ball laces to the front."

Like A Virgin?. | Captain Kirk?s Odyssey

Not sure if that's "for goal" or just "in general".

[Dosser]

I was rapt to see Reid's accuracy in front of goal this weekend, but his ball drop still gives me the willies (can I say that in a sentence?!?). He drops the ball very flat instead of the point facing down further. This will result in a floater more often than not.

[wolftone57]

Brendon Fervola's action of holding the ball high on one side is an unusual one and a lot of players have copied this action and the general goal kicking in the AFL has deteriorated Nico. The players in the AFL who are the most accurate at the moment do not hold the ball that way. I have not seen one Geelong player holding the ball the way this year, not Collingwood for that matter and they are the most accurate teams in the comp. Leigh Matthews, Malcolm Blight and others keep saying 'footy is a simple game, why complicate it'.
Ball Hold; Hold the ball centred both hands with thumbs attached to the arrows of the stitching around the bladder lip. This allows for good drop 90% of the time and if one hand is higher or lower it is going to make the drop more precarious. If you wish to get more distance drop the ball hold to just below the top of the stitching and if less to just above the bottom.

Drop; Do not swing arms from side to side always keep arms static. Do not twirl ball around in hands as you may change your grip and drop the ball at an angle. Place hands with ball directly in front of kicking leg, hold the ball approximately 2 ft from leg. When you run in make sure you keep a steady rhythm and not an eratic movement and keep your hands static. At the last minute lift the ball slightly and drop directly onto the foot. The foot should be facing directly between the centre of the goal. The leg should be strait for better control and distance. A swinging knee will cause inaccuracy and shorter distance and also could end up injuring the player.

This is not rocket science so get them back to basics. The Fev drop is a personal thing to Fev and while it suited him he also had times when this did not work and he was very inaccurate for a whole season. He also has huge hands and this may be an important factor in his personal drop.

[O Malley]

...I thought he showed good preparation for that shot. He deep breathed and swung his leg through visualising the kick. Hard to see on TV but I think he missed that shot because he did not lean back on the kick (like Melcho does) and his follow through was not complete enough. Basically after the kick has left your boot your foot should be pointing to the middle of the goals if you have kicked well.Even Buddy does this after his crooked run up.

I don't like Goodsey's habit of flipping the ball around as he runs in.Too easy to get the drop wrong if you misstep or get off balance.His shot after the siren was a fair attempt but his two earlier misses were unforgivable and his after siren opportunity was his chance to make redemption...

Goodes got under that shot after the siren, which is why it faded. His ball drop was a little high and he hooked it ever so slightly going for extra distance.

[Yuri H]

Aim for the goal umpire , dont aim generally at the posts. They are generally standing in line with you and the centre of the posts.
Dont think too much about it, just practice a rythym and follow it.

And best of all, you might have a chance of knocking out an umpire, which would give us all a moment of entertainment.

[Doctor J.]

Goodes got under that shot after the siren, which is why it faded. His ball drop was a little high and he hooked it ever so slightly going for extra distance.

You have to ask yourself why he needed to go for that extra distance. He marked it 35-40 out and kicked it from inside the 50. A distance he can kick with ease. When the siren went, I said to myself he's 50/50. Not due to distance, just his kicking in general. He's not the best set shot for goal we've ever had.

[Hartijon]

Goodes got under that shot after the siren, which is why it faded. His ball drop was a little high and he hooked it ever so slightly going for extra distance.

Thanks for that information. It also looked on TV that Hille (was it?) might have gone over the mark? It would have been a brave umpire to pay 50 metres in that situation hey?

[O Malley]

You have to ask yourself why he needed to go for that extra distance. He marked it 35-40 out and kicked it from inside the 50. A distance he can kick with ease. When the siren went, I said to myself he's 50/50. Not due to distance, just his kicking in general. He's not the best set shot for goal we've ever had.

45, I'd say. He was kicking from 50. A lot of AFL players would not have got the distance. Goodes cleared it easily. He hit it pretty well, just got under it a bit. He seemed very composed, not the slightest bit out of breath. I have nothing but admiration for the man, but you're right. He is very hot and cold in front of goal.

Thanks for that information. It also looked on TV that Hille (was it?) might have gone over the mark? It would have been a brave umpire to pay 50 metres in that situation hey?

Ryder was on the mark, and no I dont think he went over.

[Hartijon]

45, I'd say. He was kicking from 50. A lot of AFL players would not have got the distance. Goodes cleared it easily. He hit it pretty well, just got under it a bit. He seemed very composed, not the slightest bit out of breath. I have nothing but admiration for the man, but you're right. He is very hot and cold in front of goal.



Ryder was on the mark, and no I dont think he went over.

One more question! When he first marked the ball he seriously considered passing it on. Who was the receiver he considered and why didn't he pass it on?

[Triple B]

One more question! When he first marked the ball he seriously considered passing it on. Who was the receiver he considered and why didn't he pass it on?

McGlynn was well in the clear in a pocket, but it would have been a risk for a 35m kick under those circumstances. It would have had to have got to him quick and precise. It was doable, but he would be under a lot more scrutiny right now had the kick not been perfect, Essendon spoil and the hooter sounds 5 sec later. He would have been questioned about why he wouldn't take on the captains responsibility and just go back and kick a goal yada yada yada. I'd say plenty would have crucified him.

[Triple B]

Ryder, Jetta and Hocking were on the mark, and no I dont think they went over.

Edited for accuracy...

[Lucky Knickers]

So what do we think of Reid's action and ball drop in this picture?

[Hartijon]

So what do we think of Reid's action and ball drop in this picture?

On a wet windy day it would result in a clanger.The wind would blow the ball one way or the other before the foot connected. The best technique is to leave one hand on the ball until contact so the ball is guided to the boot. Reid is dropping the ball rather than guiding it.

On a dry windless day this looks like a good drop that could easily result in a straight kick. Great body position for the kick and lovely synchranisation