Prerequisites / What You Need

Alright, gather 'round, footy fans. Let's be honest, there are few things more satisfying in our great game than watching a perfectly executed drop punt sail through the big sticks from 50 metres out. It’s a thing of beauty. But for every one of those laser-guided missiles, there are about a dozen grubbers, shanks, and floaters that go anywhere but where you intended.

Whether you’re a junior player just starting out, a local club veteran trying to fix a persistent flaw, or a parent coaching the under-12s, the fundamentals of kicking are non-negotiable. You can be the fittest runner on the field, but if you can’t deliver the ball lace-side out to a leading forward, your value drops faster than a Sherrin in a wet-weather game.

This guide is your practical checklist for mastering the drop punt, the torpedo, and the checkside punt. We’re going to break it down step-by-step, from the grip to the follow-through, so you can start hitting your targets with more consistency.

Think of this as your pre-season training session. We'll keep it real, practical, and straight to the point. Let's get kicking.

Prerequisites / What You Need

Before we start drilling, you need the right gear. Don't try this in your thongs and boardies.

• A Football: A genuine size 5 Sherrin or similar quality AFL ball. A cheap, hard, plastic ball won't behave the same way.
• Footy Boots (Optional): For grass drills, boots with studs give you the necessary grip for your planted foot. If you're on a concrete oval, runners are fine.
• Space: You need a clear area of at least 30-40 metres. A local park or footy oval is ideal. Avoid kicking near roads, windows, or parked cars.
• A Target (Optional): A teammate, a friend, a marker cone, or even a specific tree. Having a target helps with focus.
• Warm-Up: A quick jog, leg swings, and a few gentle kicks to loosen up. Strained hamstrings are a kicker's worst nightmare.

Step-by-Step Process

Let's get into the nitty-gritty. We'll start with the bread and butter: the drop punt.

1. The Grip: Getting a Handle on It

This is where it all begins. A bad grip leads to a bad kick, every single time.

For a standard drop punt, you want to hold the ball with your dominant hand (the one you kick with). The ball should sit in the palm of your hand, not in your fingers. Your index finger should be placed along the seam of the ball, pointing towards the point. Your thumb sits on the opposite seam, creating a stable 'C' shape.

Key Check: The ball should feel secure but not squeezed to death. You want a relaxed, controlled hold. The seam should be pointing directly at your target.

2. The Stance: Plant Your Flag

Your non-kicking foot is your foundation. You need to plant it firmly, pointing directly at your target. This is your "plant foot."

The Drill: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Take a small step forward with your non-kicking foot. It should land about a foot in front of your kicking foot, pointing straight ahead. Your weight should be over this planted foot.

Common Mistake: Pointing your plant foot outwards (like a duck). This forces your hips to open up, and your kick will spray to the right (for a right-footer). Keep it straight.

3. The Drop: Let It Fall, Don't Throw It

This is the most critical and most misunderstood part of the kick. You do not throw the ball down towards your foot. You simply let it drop from your hand.

Hold the ball at roughly waist height, with your arm extended down towards your kicking foot. As you bring your kicking leg through, release the ball. It should fall almost vertically, with the seam facing your target.

The Feel: Imagine you are placing the ball on a table. You just open your fingers and let it fall. The ball should be dropping, not spinning, as it leaves your hand. A spinning ball is a sign you're flicking your wrist, which kills accuracy.

4. The Leg Swing: The Pendulum

Your kicking leg should act like a pendulum. It comes back, then swings through.

Start with your knee slightly bent. As you swing your leg forward, your knee comes up. The key is to strike the ball with the instep of your foot – the hard, bony part just above your laces. Your toe should be pointed down and slightly out.

The Contact: You want to make contact with the centre of the ball, just below the halfway point. This gives the ball its end-over-end rotation. A good strike feels clean and solid, not a thud.

5. The Follow-Through: Finish the Job

Don't stop your leg the moment you kick the ball. Your follow-through is just as important as the swing.

After you strike the ball, your leg should continue its forward motion, finishing high and pointing at your target. Your kicking foot should be pointing at the target, and your body should be balanced, leaning slightly forward.

The Check: If your follow-through finishes across your body, your kick will slice. If it finishes low, you'll lose power and distance. Finish high, finish straight.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

Even the best players in the AFL have to constantly work on their technique. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.

The "Ball Drop" Disaster

Problem: The ball wobbles, spins, or drops too early or too late. Fix: Practice the drop in isolation. Stand still, drop the ball to the ground, and watch it. Does it land flat on the seam? If it lands on its point, you're throwing it. Do this 20 times until it's a clean, vertical drop.

The "Shank" (Kicking with the Toe)

Problem: The ball goes nowhere and hurts your foot. Fix: You're probably trying to kick too hard and locking your ankle. Focus on relaxing your ankle and striking the ball with the instep. Slow down your leg swing. A clean strike at 70% power is better than a shank at 100%.

The "Slice" (Kicking to the Right for a Right-Footer)

Problem: The ball curves away from your target. Fix: This is almost always a plant foot issue. Check your plant foot is pointing straight at the target. Also, check your follow-through. If your leg swings across your body, you're opening your hips. Keep your shoulders square to the target.

The "Grubber" (Kicking into the Ground)

Problem: The ball bounces before it gets to your target. Fix: You're dropping the ball too far in front of you, or your leg is swinging too low. Try dropping the ball slightly later, so it's closer to your body when you make contact. Also, focus on a higher follow-through.

Beyond the Drop Punt: The Torpedo and Checkside

Once you've mastered the drop punt, you can add a couple of weapons to your arsenal.

The Torpedo (The Screw Punt)

This is your long-range missile. It's used for kicking into the wind or getting maximum distance.

How it works: You hold the ball at an angle, with the point facing your target. Instead of striking the ball directly in the centre, you hit it slightly off-centre with the outside of your instep. This creates a spiral, like a bullet.

The Kick: It's a more powerful, flatter leg swing. The ball comes off your foot with a distinct "screw" motion. It's tricky to master and less accurate than a drop punt, but devastating when it comes off.

The Checkside Punt (The Banana)

This is the party trick. It's used to curl the ball around a defender or into a pocket from a tight angle.

How it works: You hold the ball with the seam pointing across your body. You then strike the ball with the inside of your foot (like a soccer-style kick), causing it to spin sideways.

The Kick: It's a shorter, more controlled swing. The ball doesn't travel far, but it can be incredibly accurate for those tricky snaps on goal. It requires excellent feel and touch.

Checklist: Your Pre-Game Kick Routine

Before you head out for a kick with your mates or a training session, run through this quick mental checklist. It’s your pre-flight safety check for your footy.

• Grip: Is the ball in my palm? Is my index finger on the seam?
• Stance: Is my plant foot pointing at my target?
• Drop: Am I letting the ball fall vertically, not throwing it?
• Contact: Am I striking the ball with my instep?
• Follow-Through: Is my leg finishing high and pointing at my target?
• Target: Am I looking at where I want the ball to go, not at the ball itself?

Final Word

Look, no one becomes a perfect kicker overnight. Even the greats had to work on their technique. The key is consistency. Practice these steps every time you have a kick. Do it slowly. Do it deliberately.

And remember, the best kickers don't just have power; they have composure. They know that a clean, well-weighted drop punt to a leading forward is worth more than a 60-metre bomb that lands on the wing. So get out there, find a patch of grass, and start drilling.

Now, go kick a bag!