Kicking Goals Along The Ground

[CK]

Just wondering why, in the last couple of seasons, it has suddenly become so fashionable for players in open space and an open goal, to try and dribble kicks along the ground, rather than try to go the normal drop punt? Just saw Liam Jurrah do this when in metres of space against Adelaide and miss, and wonder why so many players now do this? Has making a highlight reel become more important than the main focus of the game?

Any Auskick coaches out there - what is the prevalence of this sort of thing at junior level, knowing how often trends in senior footy filter through to juniors?

[fish]

Yeah I saw Jurrahs missed goal too and was thinking exactly the same thing. Kicking along the ground seems fair enough when you're on the angle and can use the balls roll to curve it along the ground. But when in front the dribble kick seems to be a lower percentage option.

[Johno6]

coaches always drill it into ya kick it through the air... alot harder to get spoiled or touched when its 20 feet in the air.

ppl just like doin the fancy things to.... maybe they need a new car also. so try win goalof the year

[Dutchy]

My thoughts are that players prefer to tilt their foot downwards making more contact with the ball which allows them to kick it straighter however to do this the kick will go low and generally along the ground. Try it yourself and you will find you will kick the ball straighter than a normal drop kick where you make less contact with the ball which increases the chances of a miss.

The theory is perfect until you factor in the bounce of the ball!

Im coaching under 8's this year and I havent seen any kids do it yet, what I have seen is more kids playing on quickly when they get a free kick or mark, we were taught to go back and kick over the man on the mark, now they are off!

[Dirko]

Any Auskick coaches out there

As most are new to kicking footballs, it's more about teaching them how to drop the ball down to the foot. Once they've got this nailed it's about ball position and getting them onto their non preferred.

I can't recall any kids trying the fancy stuff, but if they do it's usually in the "free" time and not in the actual drill sessions....

[whufc]

My thoughts are that players prefer to tilt their foot downwards making more contact with the ball which allows them to kick it straighter however to do this the kick will go low and generally along the ground. Try it yourself and you will find you will kick the ball straighter than a normal drop kick where you make less contact with the ball which increases the chances of a miss.

The theory is perfect until you factor in the bounce of the ball!

Im coaching under 8's this year and I havent seen any kids do it yet, what I have seen is more kids playing on quickly when they get a free kick or mark, we were taught to go back and kick over the man on the mark, now they are off!

So true!!!