Maybe. The players and the coaches seem to be unaware of a simple fact. Players are missing because they kick the ball in the wrong direction. With the TV camera shot behind players kicking for goal, I can tell where the ball is going by looking at their leg swing and follow through before the ball leaves the player's boot. If the foot ends up pointing to the point posts, that's the direction the ball will take. Conversely, if it ends up pointing at the centre of the goal posts the ball will go in that direction. The influence of any wind has been negated at most grounds. Even if contact is not clean, the ball will still go in the direction of the leg swing - it's Physics 101.The Fireman wrote: ↑Sat 30 Mar 2024 10:48pm Each player who missed tonight is fully aware of their shortfalls
They will be hurting more than us
It can only improve
Sending players out to have shots at goal - unsupervised - is simply reinforcing their errors. And yet, that appears to be the extent of "goal kicking practice" at Moorabbin.
Here is a tip. Paint a white circle on the toe of the boot. The player needs to practice a leg swing - without the ball - so that the white circle is aimed between at the middle of the goals at the strike height and then follow through. They can work out their strike height by watching videos of their kicks. It's usually about level with the player's belly-button but does differ according to height. Whilst a straight leg is preferred to remove one degree of potential error, it is not essential - some players are simply unable to do it due their physical build e.g. Max. This examination may lead to a change to run-up or something else. Players should also run in a straight line. Swerving out the right to "get more distance" is another bad technique that players learned earlier in their careers. With the current rule that the player on the mark can't move until the player kicks, this can be exploited as some clubs have done. You simply run in a straight line one metre parallel to the line over the player on the mark. Our club seems to have missed the opportunity.