To
punt accurately and well, players need to have good balance
and timing. First, the kicker must select the target, deciding
where they want the ball to land, and point the ball in the
direction in which they want the kick.
To
start the motion, the kicker holds the ball at about waist height
and at arm's length away from the body. Hold the ball at a 45°
angle to the axis of the foot (Option: End
over End Kick).
To
kick with the right foot, hold the ball underneath with the
right hand close to the body and the left hand farthest away
at the top and the side of the ball. For a left-footed kick,
exchange hands, right hand below the left. The hands create
a channel through which to kick the ball.
Place
the ball in one controlled movement at waist height, as if the
kicker were stacking something on a shelf then drop it.
Point the toes down. Contact the centre of the ball just above
the boot laces with the ankle extended and the hard upper bridge
of the foot to impart full power. The non-kicking leg
must provide a firm foundation for an accurate kick. As soon
as the foot contacts the ball, your leg should accelerate to
maximise the force imparted on the ball.
When
kicking on the run, the kicker must slow and steady themselves
just before kicking. The kicker will find that control, timing
and a natural fluid action often produces better results than
attempting to whack the ball out of the ground. For a proper
follow-through, keep the head down and the body over the ball.
Try
to finish with a high follow-through, with the foot above head
height. The kicking leg should remain straight, and the
toes pointed. For a right-footed kick, the left hand should
almost touch the right foot, and the left shoulder should be
forward.
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Preparation
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Execution
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Follow-Through
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- Select
target
- Keep
eyes on ball
- Point
ball in direction of kick
- Hold
ball at 45° angle
- Hold
ball at waist height and arm's length
- Right-footed
kick: Hold ball in right hand, left hand at top and
side of ball. Left-footed kick: Hold ball in left hand,
right hand at top and side
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- Point
toes down
- Release
ball
- Contact
centre of ball just above boot laces
- Non-kicking
leg provides firm foundation
- Leg
accelerates at impact
- Good
control, timing and fluid action
- Head
down, body over ball
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- High
follow-through, foot above head
- Leg
straight, toes pointed
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DRILLS:
