AFL Kicking Drills for Accuracy: Improve Your Footwork

AFL Kicking Drills for Accuracy: Improve Your Footwork

In Australian rules football, precision kicking separates the good from the great. Whether you’re a junior player aspiring to pull on an AFL guernsey, a weekend warrior in local footy, or a fan who appreciates the craft of a perfectly weighted pass to a leading forward, your ability to deliver the ball with accuracy under pressure is non-negotiable. Footy is a game of margins—a kick that shaves the post can be the difference between a behind and a goal, between a win and a loss.

While raw power and distance often grab the headlines, the most respected players in the competition are those who can hit a teammate lace-out from 50 metres, or slot a set shot from the boundary when the game is on the line. Think of the precision of a top-level batsman’s cover drive in cricket—that same quest for technical perfection applies to your drop punt. This guide will walk you through proven AFL kicking drills designed to sharpen your accuracy, refine your footwork, and build the muscle memory you need to perform when it counts.

Why Footwork Is the Foundation of Accurate Kicking

Before diving into specific drills, it’s critical to understand the relationship between your feet and your kicking outcome. In Australian rules, your lower body initiates everything. If your plant foot is misaligned, your hips will open or close prematurely, and the ball will spray off your boot.

Key footwork fundamentals:

• Plant foot direction: Your non-kicking foot should point directly at your target. A foot angled even slightly inward or outward will cause the ball to drift.
• Body alignment: Your shoulders and hips should be square to the target when you strike the ball.
• Balance: Your head should remain steady and over the ball. Lifting your head too early—a common mistake under pressure—pulls your shoulders off-line.

Elite AFL players spend hours on footwork patterns because they know that a stable base is the prerequisite for repeatable accuracy. Without it, no amount of arm swing or follow-through will correct a poor kick.

Drill 1: The Stationary Target Drill

This is the most basic but non-negotiable drill for building accuracy from a standstill. It mimics a set shot for goal or a kick-in from a mark.

Setup:

• Place a marker (cone, training shirt, or a designated spot on the fence) 20–30 metres away.
• Stand with the ball in your hands, feet shoulder-width apart.

Execution:

1. Take two deliberate steps forward—left-right for a right-footer, right-left for a left-footer.
2. Plant your non-kicking foot beside the ball, toe pointing at the target.
3. Drop the ball onto your kicking foot, keeping your head down and eyes on the contact point.
4. Follow through with your kicking leg high and straight toward the target.

Progression:

• Move the target to 40 metres, then 50 metres.
• Add a slight angle (e.g., 45 degrees to the target) to simulate boundary set shots.
• Introduce a time limit—aim to hit the target within five seconds to replicate game pressure.

Why it works: This drill isolates the kicking action, removing the variable of movement. You can focus purely on foot placement, ball drop, and follow-through. It’s the equivalent of a net session in cricket, where batters groove their drives without a bowler.

Drill 2: The Leading Target Drill

Footy is rarely played from a stationary position. You’ll often need to kick to a teammate on the lead, requiring you to adjust your footwork mid-stride.

Setup:

• Have a partner (or a coach) stand 30–40 metres away, holding a target (a cone or a portable goal).
• The partner walks or jogs laterally, simulating a lead.
• You start with the ball, facing the partner.

Execution:

1. As your partner begins their lead, take a few shuffle steps to adjust your body angle.
2. Plant your non-kicking foot, ensuring it points toward where your partner will be (not where they are now).
3. Execute a low, driven kick that arrives at the partner’s chest height.
4. The partner catches the ball without breaking stride.

Progression:

• Increase the distance to 50 metres.
• Have the partner change direction mid-lead.
• Add a defender (a second partner) who applies light pressure from behind.

Why it works: This drill trains your eyes and feet to work together. You learn to read the lead, adjust your footwork on the fly, and deliver the ball with the correct trajectory. It’s a staple in AFL training sessions, especially for midfielders and half-backs.

Drill 3: The Boundary Set Shot Drill

Set shots from the boundary are the ultimate test of accuracy and composure. The angle, the wind, and the pressure of a close game all conspire against you.

Setup:

• Place a set of portable goalposts (or use a fence with a marked target) at the standard 6.4-metre width.
• Position yourself 25–40 metres out, on a 45-degree angle from the goal line.

Execution:

1. Walk in from a slight arc, not a straight line. This helps you open your hips naturally.
2. Plant your non-kicking foot so that your hips are aligned with the near goalpost.
3. Focus on kicking through the ball, not around it. Many players try to “bend” the ball around the post, but a straight drop punt aimed at the near post is more reliable.
4. Follow through high and straight—your kicking foot should end up pointing at the centre of the goals.

Progression:

• Move to 50 metres out, still on the boundary.
• Practice with a crosswind; aim to use the wind to your advantage.
• Add a time pressure—you have 10 seconds to kick after the mark is paid.

Why it works: This drill replicates the most pressure-laden moment in a game: a set shot to win the match. By repeating the same footwork pattern, you build the confidence to trust your technique when it matters most. It’s the footy equivalent of a Test batsman facing a crucial over on day five.

Drill 4: The Handball-Receive-Kick Sequence

In modern footy, you rarely have the luxury of a clean possession. You often receive a handball while on the move and must kick quickly and accurately under pressure.

Setup:

• Set up three cones in a triangle: one where you start, one 10 metres away (the handball receiver), and one 30 metres away (the target).
• A partner stands at the handball receiver cone.

Execution:

1. Start at the first cone. Jog toward the handball receiver cone.
2. As you arrive, your partner handballs to you (or you self-handball if training alone).
3. Immediately collect the ball, take two steps, and kick to the target cone.
4. Focus on keeping your footwork compact—no wasted steps.

Progression:

• Increase the handball speed.
• Have the partner move the handball receiver cone to a different angle each rep.
• Add a defender who applies pressure as you receive the ball.

Why it works: This drill simulates the chaos of a stoppage or a chain of handballs. It trains you to transition from receiving to kicking without losing accuracy. It’s especially valuable for midfielders who need to deliver the ball inside 50.

Drill 5: The Kick-to-Kick Accuracy Challenge

This is a simple but highly effective drill that can be done with a mate or in a small group. It’s a favourite among AFL players during warm-ups or recovery sessions.

Setup:

• Two players stand 30–40 metres apart.
• Place a small target (a cone, a bag, or a towel) on the ground between them.

Execution:

1. Player A kicks the ball, aiming to land it within one metre of the target.
2. Player B collects the ball and kicks it back, aiming for the same target.
3. Each player scores a point for every kick that lands within the target zone.
4. Play to 10 points, then swap partners.

Progression:

• Increase the distance to 50 metres.
• Use a moving target (e.g., a player jogging laterally).
• Add a time limit—each player has 30 seconds to kick.

Why it works: This drill adds a competitive element to accuracy training. It forces you to concentrate on every kick, not just go through the motions. It’s also a great way to build rapport with teammates.

Drill 6: The Ladder Footwork Drill

Footwork isn’t just about your plant foot—it’s about how you move into position. This drill focuses on agility and balance before the kick.

Setup:

• Place an agility ladder on the ground.
• Set a target 20 metres away.
• You start at one end of the ladder.

Execution:

1. Run through the ladder using quick, precise steps (e.g., one foot per rung).
2. At the end of the ladder, collect a ball from a cone.
3. Take two steps and kick to the target.
4. Repeat, varying your ladder pattern (e.g., two feet per rung, lateral shuffles).

Progression:

• Increase the distance from the ladder to the target.
• Add a partner who calls out a target direction (left, right, centre) as you exit the ladder.
• Use a heavier training ball to strengthen your kicking leg.

Why it works: This drill trains your feet to be quick and coordinated, which translates directly to better balance and accuracy during a game. It’s especially useful for players who struggle with their timing when under pressure.

Drill 7: The Pressure Kick Drill

Nothing replicates game pressure like a live defender. This drill introduces an opponent to test your composure.

Setup:

• Three players: a kicker, a target, and a defender.
• The kicker stands 30 metres from the target.
• The defender stands 5 metres from the kicker, facing away.

Execution:

1. On a signal, the defender turns and sprints toward the kicker.
2. The kicker must execute a kick to the target before the defender can close the gap.
3. The defender attempts to spoil or intercept the kick.

Progression:

• Start the defender closer (3 metres).
• Have the defender start facing the kicker (reaction time is reduced).
• Add a second defender to simulate a double-team.

Why it works: This drill teaches you to make quick decisions and kick accurately under physical pressure. It’s a common drill in AFL pre-season training camps, especially for forwards and midfielders who face heavy traffic.

Integrating These Drills into Your Training

Accuracy isn’t built overnight. It requires consistent, deliberate practice. Here’s how to structure a session:

Warm-up (10 minutes):

• Light jogging, dynamic stretching.
• 10–15 stationary kicks at 20 metres, focusing on technique.

Main session (30–40 minutes):

• Pick 3–4 drills from the list above.
• Perform each drill for 5–7 minutes, with 1 minute rest between sets.
• Focus on quality over quantity—10 perfect kicks are better than 50 sloppy ones.

Cool-down (10 minutes):

• Light jogging, static stretching.
• Review your technique: Did your plant foot point at the target? Did you keep your head down?

Frequency:

• Aim for 2–3 accuracy-focused sessions per week during the pre-season.
• During the season, 1 session per week is sufficient to maintain sharpness.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even experienced players fall into bad habits. Here are the most common accuracy killers and their fixes:

The Mental Side of Accuracy

Accuracy is as much a mental skill as a physical one. In high-pressure moments—a set shot to win the game, a kick-in with seconds left—your technique can break down if your mind is cluttered.

Tips for staying composed:

• Visualise success: Before you kick, picture the ball sailing through the middle of the goals.
• Control your breathing: Take a deep breath before your run-up. This slows your heart rate and sharpens your focus.
• Stick to your routine: Whether it’s two steps or three, a pre-kick routine anchors your technique under pressure.

Elite athletes know that mental clarity is the difference between a match-winning performance and a costly error. The same principle applies to your kicking.

Conclusion: From the Training Track to Game Day

Improving your AFL kicking accuracy is a journey, not a destination. It requires patience, repetition, and a willingness to analyse your technique honestly. But the rewards are immense: more goals, more effective disposals, and the confidence that comes from knowing you can deliver when your team needs you most.

Start with the stationary target drill, then gradually introduce movement, pressure, and game-like scenarios. Track your progress—keep a simple tally of how many kicks hit the target in each session. Over time, you’ll see your accuracy climb, and your footwork will become second nature.

For more tactical insights and training guides, explore our tactics and training hub. If you’re coaching junior players, check out our resources on junior training programs—the principles of balance, footwork, and repetition apply across sports. And for those who appreciate the finer points of movement, our guide to running techniques offers valuable lessons in timing and decision-making that translate directly to the footy field.

Now grab your boots, head to the oval, and start building the accuracy that will set you apart. The goals are waiting.