Goal Kicking

Question
I played my first game today for several months due to injury. I was back to my best, drifting in from the wing and scoring tries but whenever there was a slow ball when the fly half had been tackled, I was in a perfect opportunity for a drop goal. Unfortunately, as drop kicking isn't part of my game, my kicks were awful. I can kick out of my hands but I am struggling to get the height when drop kicking. Can you give me any tips on drop kicking please.

Thanking you

Answer
Scott,

Gravity sucks (bad engineering joke, sorry), but it is constant (9.8 m/sec2).  Why is this important?  Essentially a drop kick is a place kick that is made at the instant the ball touches the ground.  It then simply becomes a matter of timing and technique (easier said then down)

Normally for a drop kick you should be holding the ball  perpendicular to the ground with both hands on the ball at about waist level.  For the instant of the kick you should not be moving.

The ball, when simply dropped from your hand will always fall at the same speed.  Develop a mental cadence (counting is easiest) to learn the amount of time it takes to hit the ground.

Release the ball at the same level, with tip point directly to the ground.

The physics of a kick:  Work is equal to force over a distance.  Power is equal to work divided by time.  What this translates to is the longer the foot is contact with the ball (creating the distance in which the force of the foot is being applied to the ball) and the quicker the movement of the foot during initial phases of the kick (creating the less amount of time the work is being done), the more powerful it will be.

The ball is dropped and hits the ground, for an instant it is in a place kicking position (I prefer to make the kick when the ball is still perpendicular to the ground, but some players drop the ball with a slight angle so that the top of the ball is slightly pointed towards the target (goal posts or sideline, or the winger who is always dropping the ball)

Once the player makes the commitment to make the kick, he must be sure to keep his eyes focused on the specific location where he plans to make contact with the ball.

When making contact with the ball, ensure that you  thrust your hips forward, and properly plant your foot.  Normally for a place kick you would maintain your balance by extending your arms.  You do not have that luxury in a drop kick.  Learn to center more of your mass over the stationary foot to help provide some balance.

Imagine your kicking foot as a weight at the end of pendulum.  The best place in the path of the foot to make contact with the ball is when it is at its lowest and starting to move up.  The best place for the supporting (planted) is slightly behind and approximately hip width to the side.  This will enable the foot to make a straight line path to the ball.  The toes of the planted foot should be pointing towards the target.

It is now up to the kicker to put as much force behind the kick.  Remember to make contact on the lower third of the ball, the lower the better.  The movement of the foot should also be as quick as possible.

The follow through: The kick is generally through the ball giving it both lift and forward momentum.  The kicker's leg should be fully extended when the kick is made.  This will maximize the time the foot is applying force to the ball.  Toe making contact should be pointed to the target.  Your chest should be facing in the direction of the target.  Very rarely is the flight of the ball perfectly perpendicular with the kicker抯 chest.  It may be a difference of up to five degrees.  As the kicker gets more experience, he will determine the best alignment for the chest.

Do not underestimate the power of imagining the kick from initial stance.  Many great kickers imagine the successful kick the decision to make the drop kick to the final location of the ball.

Practice: Kicking is not an easy skill, especially drop kicks.

Good luck,

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RC