Our goal kicking accuracy (or lack of it)

[2014-Flag 0]

Did anyone notice after round 3 we were rated 16th in goal kicking accuracy? No doubt explains why we have been dominating games but not on the scoreboard. What can be done about this?

There was an interesting conversation on SEN the other day when they were saying every aspect of the game has improved out of sight in the last 5 years except goal kicking. One of those talking was David Schwartz who knew a thing or two about kicking goals in his time. He said a lot of players don't even do the basics right (eg he singled out Roughhead who has a terrible tackrecord in this, the single thing he does wrong apparently is to lean back when kicking). He suggested some other things as well. All seems pretty basic stuff. How cane

we get some of these basics into our players?

Maybe we should second "Tanks" services.

One of theworst offenders at Melbourne is Tom Scully. He seems to very much lack confidence when kicking for goal from a set shot. I think he needs mentor. Maybe one of the two Davids - Neitz or schwartz.

Any other suggestions? We need to fix this before we come up against top sides.

[ucanchoose 1,816]

Matthew Lloyd made the same comments last night about some of the collingwood players and he's right. If you technique is wrong there is nothing you can do to increase your accuaracy. Cloke is the worst example of this

[Gorgoroth 13,135]

Yeah the sports science guys wont let them have set shot practice after training as it will increase their work loads blah blah blah

They should all have to each week spend 30 mins doing it minimum and the forwards at least 15 mins each session!

[Range Rover 1,935]

It continues to astound me that someone at Hawthorn hasn't insisted on Roughead changing his 'two-step' action when kicking for goal. He is totally unreliable with his set shot because he gathers no momentum through his action and leans back as he puts his foot through it. Many others players, though not quite this bad, have the same tendency (even at Melbourne).

Here's my 9-point plan for players in need of an overhaul of their goal-kicking:

1) Have a set routine. As with a golf swing, repetition and practice of one consistent action is needed.

2) Ensure they know where the man on the mark will stand and set a secondary mark ahead of that line where they know they will

comfortably clear him. This should be practiced at training using a dummy of the man on the mark.

3) Pick out a target behind the middle of the goals (a sign, a person, anything) and have it in mind that you are kicking the footy directly at that target.

4) Gather some forward momentum through the kicking action. The mechanics of this speaks for itself but so few players do it (Jonathan Brown has very good technique in this regard).

5) Keep your head and torso over the ball as much as possible (think Tony Lockett!)

6) Minimize the distance it takes to drop the ball between hand and foot (don't think Scott Gumbleton who already has a shocking kicking action!)

7) Get some solid drop punt back-spin on the footy so that it cuts through the air cleanly and doesn't 'helicopter' or float after impact.

8) Kick through the thing and DO NOT try and guide it towards the goal.

9) Relax! Don't look or feel as though you've got the weight of world on your shoulders (a la Travis Cloke) and just know you are a great set shot and send it straight over the

goal umpire's head!

Not too difficult now is it?

: )

Edited April 17, 2010 by Spirit of Barassi

[Felix 92]

Not too difficult now is it?

: )

I assume they wold have a similar '9' point plan for goal kicking. I just do not understand why they can not kick the ball straight, and it astounds me also!

It seems like some of the players seem like they over think the kick and shank it. To continue with your golf analogy I have noticed when I play a round my swing is pretty bad when I over analyse the shot and slice or hook the ball.

[Range Rover 1,935]

I agree the golf analogy is a good one Sturmmann.

I'm no great golfer, but I can play a half decent round now (off about 20) after I had a professional give me some

tips and advice on my swing a few years back.

It was nothing too drastic, just a slight bend of the legs here and an adjustment of the fingers there and voila ... I wasn't slicing every second ball

into the jungle anymore.

As with all technique changes, it felt extremely awkward to hold the club differently at first but I simply had to get used to it if I wanted to

be a better player.

The same principle should apply to these erratic goalkickers in the AFL.

It's bunkum that they're too set in their ways to change now. The clubs should insist on it as it's costing them goals and games.

Edited April 18, 2010 by Spirit of Barassi

[Chook 15,022]

It really is ridiculous that some people don't get better at things they love doing. Even if you are by yourself, simply thinking through the things you are doing and then changing one aspect at a time if it isn't working, can fix your problem in no time. I spend about an hour every day on the oval by myself practising stab passes and goal kicking and I've improved out of sight. You'd think these AFL players, with all the advantages they've got, would be nailing them from everywhere. Their field-kicking is usually outstanding, so why can't they apply the same practice principle to getting the ball through the big sticks?

[southparkboy 0]

There should be more time spent on goal kicking. It's that simple, practice makes perfect...ever heard of that?

[wonnabeeri 277]

Been watching the start of the game today anyone? Good goal kicking...

[olgreydingo 51]

When was the last time we kicked 8 in the 1st qtr!!??

[stretch marks 2]

When was the last time we kicked 8 in the 1st qtr!!??

spoke too soon.

0.6 in the second term

[titan_uranus 25,054]

8.1 in the first.

0.6 in the second.

7.4 in the third

5.2 in the fourth.

Second quarter was abysmal. The rest were pretty good.

[southparkboy 0]

Besides that 2nd quarter it was a great kicking display today, there were still some shockers like Brad Green kicking out on the full and missing another couple easy ones, but overall pleased

[45HG 1,559]

When was the last time we kicked 8 in the 1st qtr!!??

According to afl.com.au, Round 20, 2000!

[olgreydingo 51]

8.1 in the first.

0.6 in the second.

7.4 in the third

5.2 in the fourth.

Second quarter was abysmal. The rest were pretty good.

What is it with us, We only kick goals in 3 qtrs just about every week!!!!!!

[stueyspencer no12 73]

Matthew Lloyd made the same comments last night about some of the collingwood players and he's right. If you technique is wrong there is nothing you can do to increase your accuaracy. Cloke is the worst example of this

He also pointed out that Brad Green has about the best kicking actin in the comp, and that players are not workinh hard enough at it. 10 minutes at the end of training!

I hadn't seen this topic and foolishly started an alternative topic on kicking. See my comments re Jony Wilkinson the English rugby player who practises an hour and a half each day.

Truly the kicking [not by MFC thank heavens] has been awful this`round--it MUST be capable of being fixed

[Akum 2,660]

He also pointed out that Brad Green has about the best kicking actin in the comp

... which makes it harder to understand why even he's missed sitters just about every week this year already.

[H_T 3,049]

... which makes it harder to understand why even he's missed sitters just about every week this year already.

Today he had time and space 30m out directly in front and fluffed it. Akum, you could have kicked it blind-folded with your left foot.

Disappointing.

[Akum 2,660]

I wouldn't say disappointing, more surprising.

It's not entirely unexpected to see, say, Petterd or Dunn shank it every once few shots. But when someone like Green hits a shocker or two every week, maybe there is something in this thing about effect of the new Sherrins that are firmer at each end, so that if you kick certain parts on the ball, it flies off the boot completely differently.