The Mighty Russian

[big tuna 0]

Did anyone else notice yesterday when Jamar was kicking for goal he held the ball side on to the goals? Every player I have ever seen take a set shot at goal at any level of footy has held the ball 'laces out'(laces of football facing directly at goal). Both goals Jamar kicked he dropped the ball with the blue logo facing the goals.

I know this is a trivial thing to comment on but I was just wondering if there are any full forwards or accomplished goal kickers on this site that have used this technique... or have a theory as to why Jamar would?

[Nasher 33,607]

I'm totally unqualified to comment based on your criteria, but my guess would be that it's something as simple as that's how he is comfortable holding the ball.

The most important thing is that both went through the big sticks!

[Steamin Demon 392]

I'm totally unqualified to comment based on your criteria, but my guess would be that it's something as simple as that's how he is comfortable holding the ball.

The most important thing is that both went through the big sticks!

Agreed, If its working lets not tinker. His goal kicking has improved out of sight this year.

[beelzebub 23,200]

Who cares ... Lol they were true

[Guest melbman]

Did anyone else notice yesterday when Jamar was kicking for goal he held the ball side on to the goals? Every player I have ever seen take a set shot at goal at any level of footy has held the ball 'laces out'(laces of football facing directly at goal). Both goals Jamar kicked he dropped the ball with the blue logo facing the goals.

I know this is a trivial thing to comment on but I was just wondering if there are any full forwards or accomplished goal kickers on this site that have used this technique... or have a theory as to why Jamar would?

yeah, i saw it too and thought it was a bit odd in an interesting way. not something you see too often

Would the guiding hand have been in contact with the laces on the way down?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Agreed, If its working lets not tinker. His goal kicking has improved out of sight this year.

No its been like that throughout his career.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/M/Mark_Jamar.html

He currently has a conversion rate of 74.1% which is outstanding kicking.

When compared to other forwards who have had more than 50 scoring shots at goal, he is 2nd on the all time list of goalkickers (1987 to 2010).

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/accuracy.html

Posters can deride it or nit pick it anyway they like but its a sensational strikerate accumulated over a number of years.

[Red Sox 2]

Always had confidence in The Rush when kicking for goal. Even when he was struggling to make an impact as a ruckman he was a good option to throw forward.

[jnrmac 19,905]

Maybe its easier to 'guide' the ball on to the boot as there is more grip with the dropping hand. Not sure how it affects the spin during flight though.

Maybe someone here could try it to see whether the spin pattern is more stable or otherwise??

Edited August 16, 2010 by jnrmac

[Jaded No More 67,770]

That's how they do it in Soviet Russia.

Don't question it

[Chook 14,998]

That's how they do it in Soviet Russia.

Don't question it

In Soviet Russia, Ball kicks you.

[Jonesy's jokers 0]

In Soviet Russia, Ball kicks you.

haha classic. Mo doubt the big man has been a star amongst (future) stars this year.

Just thinking about it, and this is not taing anything away from Jamar and Jolly's hard work and natural ability, but Both are understudies of Jeff White (one of the best ruckmen of all time).

Anyone think Jeff has a hand in their claim to fame?

[Trisul 664]

No its been like that throughout his career.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/M/Mark_Jamar.html

He currently has a conversion rate of 74.1% which is outstanding kicking.

When compared to other forwards who have had more than 50 scoring shots at goal, he is 2nd on the all time list of goalkickers (1987 to 2010).

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/accuracy.html

Posters can deride it or nit pick it anyway they like but its a sensational strikerate accumulated over a number of years.

Agreed. Made the exact point (2nd active all time) to my mate on Sunday. He was never in doubt from the f50 positions where he marked.

[Red Sox 2]

No its been like that throughout his career.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/M/Mark_Jamar.html

He currently has a conversion rate of 74.1% which is outstanding kicking.

When compared to other forwards who have had more than 50 scoring shots at goal, he is 2nd on the all time list of goalkickers (1987 to 2010).

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/accuracy.html

Posters can deride it or nit pick it anyway they like but its a sensational strikerate accumulated over a number of years.

Nice link Rhino.

The inaccurate 20 struck me as I saw Warren Dean's name, loved the end to his 87 season and disappointing we didn't see more of him as he was one of my early favourites (I was only 11 in 87).

A quarter of the inaccurate one's are Demons with both Febey brothers listed. Does this make them the most inaccurate twins in VFL/AFL history?

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Maybe its easier to 'guide' the ball on to the boot as there is more grip with the dropping hand. Not sure how it affects the spin during flight though.

That's what I was thinking. I know I was taught that if the shoe you're wearing has no laces on the top, or has a protective tongue, that you should kick laces in to improve the grip between ball and boot. Maybe it's just the simple fact that he's concerned more about ball-drop (and deviation through the air on the way to his boot) than he is about follow through?

It'd be the first I've heard of utilising the laces in your ball drop. But jeez, very clever by him, or whoever gave him the advice if true.

[Nasher 33,607]

Does he do it all the time, or was he just doing it when the ball was wet (as Dappa said, to improve grip on the ball)?

It could be that he was having difficulty at one point and someone assessing his technique identified that his problems related to the drop of the ball and suggested that as a solution.

Interesting topic.

Anyone following him on Twitter? Ask him!

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Another example of stats that are rubbish.

I love the Big Rush as much as anyone, but I'll take my brilliant memory over some stats that only record goals and behinds.

Early on his kicking at goal was embarrassing. He often didn't make the distance, put it OOTF or across the face. Also those that went through were often shockers off the boot. His run/walk up was a more exaggerated hunch than it is now and it looked ridiculous - like he was mowing the lawn with a miniature lawnmower.

He was a terrible shot at goal. Like everything else, he's improved it greatly.

[No16 1]

I had been taught, and in turn teach now that if you hold the ball laces down, the ball tends to stay low, hard and flat. Also, when it is wet, the contact of the laces on your boot tend to create a more accurate kick as your boot tends to slip on the wet leather with a normal drop punt laces out.

[No16 1]

Another example of stats that are rubbish.

I love the Big Rush as much as anyone, but I'll take my brilliant memory over some stats that only record goals and behinds.

Early on his kicking at goal was embarrassing. He often didn't make the distance, put it OOTF or across the face. Also those that went through were often shockers off the boot. His run/walk up was a more exaggerated hunch than it is now and it looked ridiculous - like he was mowing the lawn with a miniature lawnmower.

He was a terrible shot at goal. Like everything else, he's improved it greatly.

His goal kicking was erratic as Travis Cloke's....