The Essential Checklist for Kicking Techniques

Alright, footy fans. Let’s be honest for a second. We’ve all been there. You’re at the local park, the ball is coming out of the sky, and you have a split second to decide: do you try to look like a hero, or do you just get the thing on the boot?

If you’re reading this, you want to be the hero. Or, at the very least, you want to stop that horrible, wobbly kick that goes end-over-end and makes your teammates groan.

We’re talking about that dreaded, low-percentage, awkward kick that plagues grassroots footy. This checklist is your practical guide to kicking the Sherrin with purpose, power, and accuracy. Whether you’re a parent coaching the under-12s, a beginner looking to join a local club, or a seasoned player trying to iron out a bad habit, this is your step-by-step blueprint for a better drop punt.

Let’s get to work.

Prerequisites / What You Need

Before we dive into the mechanics, let’s make sure you’re set up for success. You don’t need a full-blown AFL training facility, but you do need a few basics.

• A Sherrin (or similar footy): A proper oval ball is non-negotiable. A round ball will teach you bad habits.
• A clear space: Find a park or an oval where you have at least 30-40 metres of space. You need room to move.
• Comfortable footwear: You don't need the top-of-the-line boots, but make sure they fit well. If you need a guide on what to look for, check out our guide on buying the right boots. Stability starts at your feet.
• A target: A goal post, a teammate, a jumper on the ground—anything to aim at.
• Patience: You won't kick like a seasoned pro on day one. It takes reps.

The Step-by-Step Process

This isn't about magic. It’s about breaking down the kick into manageable parts. Let’s go through it, step by step.

Step 1: The Grip and the "C" Shape

Most bad kicks start before the leg even moves. It starts in your hands. You need to hold the ball correctly.

• The Position: Hold the ball with the laces pointing away from your kicking foot. If you’re a right-footer, the laces face to the left. Left-footer? Laces face right.
• The Grip: Your dominant hand (the one on the same side as your kicking foot) goes on top of the ball. Your other hand goes underneath, supporting the bottom point.
• The "C" Shape: Your top hand and your bottom hand should form a loose "C" shape around the ball. Don’t squeeze it to death. You want a firm but relaxed hold. Imagine you're holding a small bird—firm enough it won't fly away, but gentle enough you won't hurt it.
• The Tilt: This is the secret sauce. Tilt the ball slightly away from your body. The bottom point should be angled slightly towards your kicking foot. This sets the ball up for a perfect spiral.

Step 2: The Drop – The Most Important Step

You can have the strongest leg in the world, but if your drop is rubbish, the kick is rubbish. This is where the wobbly, unpredictable kick is born.

• The Motion: Bring the ball down to your kicking leg. Don't bring it up high. The drop should happen from roughly waist height.
• The Release: Let the ball go with both hands simultaneously. Don’t flick it with your wrist.
• The Angle: The ball must hit your boot at a 45-degree angle. Imagine the ball is a dart. You want the point of the "dart" to hit the meat of your foot first. If you drop it flat, you get a wobbler.
• The Practice: Stand still. Drop the ball onto your foot (without kicking it). Watch it fall. Is it hitting your laces at the right angle? If not, adjust your grip.

Step 3: The Approach and the Stride

Now we add movement. A static kick is fine for a set shot, but in a game, you’re usually on the run.

• The Angle: Don't run straight at the target. Approach from a slight angle (about 15-20 degrees). For a right-footer, approach from the left side of your target. This allows your hips to open up naturally.
• The Last Two Steps: This is where the power comes from.
• Penultimate step: Your non-kicking foot takes a long, powerful step. This plants your body.
• Final step: Your kicking foot takes a short, quick step. This is the step where you drop the ball.
• The Plant Foot: Your non-kicking foot should land pointing at your target. This is your anchor. If your plant foot is pointing to the left, your kick is going to the left.

Step 4: The Contact and the Follow-Through

This is where the magic happens. You’ve set the ball, you’ve dropped it perfectly, and you’ve planted your foot. Now, let’s hit it.

• The Contact Point: You want to hit the ball with the bony part of your instep (the laces area). This is the "sweet spot." Avoid hitting it with your toe or the side of your foot.
• The Knee: Your kicking knee must be bent and over the ball at the moment of contact. If your leg is straight, you’ll pop the ball up in the air.
• The Follow-Through: This is the biggest difference between a good kick and a great kick. Your kicking leg should continue its swing high and through the ball. Your kicking foot should end up pointing at your target, high in the air. A good follow-through looks like you’re trying to kick the goal post behind the one you’re aiming at.
• The Finish: Your body should be balanced, with your kicking foot off the ground and your arms out for balance.

Step 5: The Punt (For Distance)

Sometimes you just need to launch it 50 metres. The drop punt is for accuracy; the punt (or torpedo) is for distance, but it’s riskier. For most players, a long drop punt is better than a wobbly torpedo.

• The Grip: Hold the ball like a drop punt, but tilt it more aggressively.
• The Drop: Drop the ball so it lands flat on your boot, not at an angle.
• The Contact: Hit the ball with the point of your foot (the toe area). This is a more advanced technique. If you try this and it goes wrong, it’s ugly.
• The Advice: Stick to the drop punt until you can execute it perfectly 9 times out of 10. Then, practice the torpedo on the quiet end of the oval.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes (The "Don't Do This" Section)

Even the best players have bad days. But for the rest of us, these are the killers.

• Mistake #1: Looking at the ball for too long. You don't need to watch the ball hit your foot. You need to watch your target. If you stare at the ball, you’ll rush the drop and your body will close up.
• Pro Tip: As you drop the ball, shift your eyes from the ball to your target. Trust your hands to do the work.
• Mistake #2: The "Chicken Wing." This is when your elbow flies out to the side as you drop the ball. It makes the ball wobble.
• Pro Tip: Keep your elbows tucked into your ribs. Imagine you’re holding a tray of beers. You don’t want to spill them.
• Mistake #3: Kicking with a straight leg. This is the classic "cricket kick" where you just swing your leg like a pendulum. You get no power and no control.
• Pro Tip: Bend your knee. The power comes from the knee snapping through the ball, not from the hip swinging.
• Mistake #4: Not following through. If your leg stops dead after contact, you’re losing 20 metres of distance.
• Pro Tip: Kick through the ball, not at the ball. Your leg should finish high.

The Ultimate Checklist Summary

Print this out. Stick it on your fridge. Take it to training. Before you kick, run through this list.

• Grip: Ball held with laces away from kicking foot. "C" shape with hands.
• Tilt: Ball tilted slightly away from body, bottom point towards kicking foot.
• Drop: From waist height. Both hands release simultaneously. Ball hits boot at 45-degree angle.
• Approach: Slight angle (15-20 degrees) to your target.
• Plant Foot: Non-kicking foot lands pointing at the target.
• Knee: Bent and over the ball at contact.
• Contact: Hit the ball with the instep (laces area).
• Follow-Through: Leg swings high and through the ball. Foot points at target.
• Eyes: Look at your target, not the ball on your boot.

Putting It All Together

Remember, you don’t become a star overnight. Even the greats had to start somewhere. The key is to drill these steps until they become automatic.

If you want to take your game to the next level, don't just practice kicking. Look at your overall conditioning and fitness to make sure your body can handle the load. A tired player makes a lazy kick. Also, think about your game plan and strategies. Where are you kicking? Why? A great kick to the wrong spot is still a turnover.

And if you’re a coach, use this checklist for your drills. Break it down. Don’t let the kids just have a kick. Teach them the steps. You can even incorporate these techniques into your skills training plan for the week.

Finally, don't forget about the different types of kicks you'll need. The drop punt is your bread and butter, but there are others. Check out our guide on the different mark types and kicking styles to add more weapons to your arsenal.

Now, get out there. Grab the ball. Drop it. Kick it. And for goodness sake, stop the wobbly kick.