Kicking

Australian Football is built around the kick. A goal can be scored only by a kick. A mark can be taken only after the ball has been kicked at least 10 metres.

The most popular kick is the drop punt. This is the kick most players use when kicking to another player or kicking for goal. The ball is dropped so that its end hits the lower laces of the boot, causing the ball to spin end-over-end. It is the preferred kick because of its accuracy.

The drop kick, where the ball is dropped to the ground and kicked on the half-volley, has disappeared from the game because of time and risk factors: a player can get a drop punt away more quickly.

The torpedo punt is used primarily for distance. The ball is held with one hand slightly forward of the laces and the other slightly behind. It is then guided to the boot at a 15-degree angle and the foot makes contact across the lower seam, sending the ball spinning away in a spiral.

There is also the flat punt, but this has also lost much of its popularity because it generally lacks accuracy and is more difficult to mark.

Most players are adept at kicking the ball with either foot and are regularly required to kick distances of 60 to 70 metres.

Kicking is probably the most individual skill in Australian Football. The basic skill of kicking should be taught at a young age and any faults rectified before it is too late. It is important players learn the right technique while they are young and later in their career they will demonstrate the ability to (a) kick under pressure, (b) pass the ball accurately to a teammate and (c) use the ball to the best advantage of their side when kicking from a set position.

Main Teaching Points

1. Line up your body with your target with your head slightly bent over the ball. Hold the ball over the thigh of the kicking leg.
2. Guide the ball down with one hand.
3. Point your toes at your target -- see the ball hit the foot.
4. Follow through straight towards the target.

These four fundamentals apply to every kick. More information about each type of kick is given below.

The Drop Punt

1. The Grip
The fingers are spread evenly along each side of the ball, with thumbs extending to the lacing. The grip is the same for both left and right foot kicks.

2. The Release
The ball is guided down and is kicked on the bottom point, along the lower laces of the boot. It should spin in a backwards end over end fashion.

The Torpedo Punt

1. The Grip
The ball is held on an angle across the body. For a right foot kick, the left hand is slightly forward and the right hand slightly behind the lacing. For a left foot kick, the hand positions are reversed.

2. The Release
The ball is guided down at a slight angle to the ground, and is also angled across the kicking leg. When the foot makes contact with the ball, the ball should spin in a spiral motion.

It is important to make 'sweet' contact with the ball hitting the lower laces of your boot. Rotation causes the ball to ‘cut’ through the air, like a torpedo.

The torpedo is not used as often as the drop punt but is till required in situations where greater distance is needed, such as kicking in from full-back or shooting for goal after the siren from a long way out.

The Banana Kick

1. The Grip
The ball is held like a reverse torpedo punt, with the right hand forward for a right foot kick and the opposite for the left foot kick.

2. The Release
The ball is guided down so that it drops at an angle across the boot. The boot makes contact under the right side of the ball, causing a curved spin on the ball.

The banana kick is generally used when shooting for goal from close to the boundary line, near the behind post.

The banana kick (also referred to as checkside) needs lots of practice. Take it in turns with a friend in the goal square to return the ball.

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