Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

I hear that there are two schools of thought about players being able to kick well on their non preferred foot. 

Some are saying that with the pace of the game as it is these days, it's best for players to work on improving their preferred foot than to spend their time on the non preferred.

My view is that you can give me a Sam Mitchell every day of the week and that players need to be proficient on both sides.

Thoughts?

Posted

If you're in tight space and can wheel around like mitchell does - it's always a bonus to be able to execute - further - particularly in planning from the opposition to corral onto the non preferred and increase the likelihood of a turnover. Watched Daisy do it a few times last night, nice kicks, just didn't quite hit the targets running out into space. 

Posted
44 minutes ago, Pinball Wizard said:

I hear that there are two schools of thought about players being able to kick well on their non preferred foot. 

Some are saying that with the pace of the game as it is these days, it's best for players to work on improving their preferred foot than to spend their time on the non preferred.

My view is that you can give me a Sam Mitchell every day of the week and that players need to be proficient on both sides.

Thoughts?

totally agree. but it's a bit late if you wait till you are at afl level. needs to be encouraged/taught at the youngest possible age

Posted
49 minutes ago, Pinball Wizard said:

I hear that there are two schools of thought about players being able to kick well on their non preferred foot. 

Some are saying that with the pace of the game as it is these days, it's best for players to work on improving their preferred foot than to spend their time on the non preferred.

My view is that you can give me a Sam Mitchell every day of the week and that players need to be proficient on both sides.

Thoughts?

Unfortunately there is only one Sam Mitchell. Until he can be cloned, there will be plenty of one sided mids. It doesn't hurt for them to practice with both sides, but I'd much rather they kick with their preferred. 

Posted

Brayshaw goes pretty well on both.

Agreed with CB above though it is only important to kick on your non-preffered under pressure. It is going to be a more rushed kick anyway. Just need to be able to do it rather than picture perfect.


Posted

I'd suggest that the pace and pressure of the game actually puts even more value on being able to kick with the non-preferred foot, offering a competent alternative when being closed in on from your preferred side. Similarly, the amount of tactics and mid-week video analysis of opponents that goes on these days makes being a bit unpredictable a bit of a bonus, too.

I do wonder if there is also a general kicking benefit to putting players through non-preferred kicking drills, in that it forces them to concentrate and think through correct ball drop and so on. Anyone got advice on that?

  • Like 1

Posted

I think the game is heading towards kicking on both, but to change the game from AFL level down you have to recruit and develop like Clarko and Hawthorn have done for footskills and that's going to be even harder to find dual sided players than finding good kicks/left footers like Hawthorn did.

The problem is kids start playing matches in under 9's and for the majority of them kicking proficiency isn't a vital skill. I want kids that age to just go out and have fun and as they progress though the years you want to see them marking, tackling, running with the ball, handballing etc. Being an accurate kick doesn't really matter until about under 15 or so when switching, kicking to leads etc becomes part of how a team plays.

But to train (or find in those rare naturals) high quality dual sided kicks and train them up it has to be more like junior tennis where you have academies and daily coaching and so on from really before the age of 10 if not ASAP after that.

  • Like 1
Posted

I guess not every Hawthorn player is a great kick even after they develop them, so it might not take recruiting a full 22 of dual sided ability, but I'd love to see a midfield and half backline of quality players who have confidence to go on either side. 

I wouldn't hold your breath for Melbourne though. We might try more opposite foot kicking this year but unless it's a safe kick to space there's only a few in the side who I'd like to see given that license.

Posted
On 12/02/2017 at 0:28 PM, Diamond_Jim said:

You used to hear stories of good young players (under 14-15) exclusively using their non preferred foot for a season so as to develop that skill.

Not sure if it still goes on.

I did that when I was about 16. Always kicked left at training and kick to kick at school. It became natural for me to use my left if I was on that side. Sadly it was the only part of my game that was any good.

 

I've noticed a lot the past few years blokes kicking checksides on the run when pushed to their left, really surprised me as I thought kids would have developed it by the time they hit the big league

  • Like 1

Posted

Has to be both, too much science going into analysing players preferred feet. Being able to kick both blows open these defensive plans. I also found it demoralizing as a defender, working like buggery to shut down a blokes' preferred side, only to watch him open it up by switching sides.

Posted

I am sure there are guys in the MCC stand who don't care which, as long as they "kick it long"!


Posted
18 hours ago, monoccular said:

I am sure there are guys in the MCC stand who don't care which, as long as they "kick it long"!

Well most of them were around when smiths teams where a long kicking side and collingwood where a stab kicking side. 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 4

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...