Goal Kicking in General Play - Special Report By David Wheadon, Assistant Coach at Richmond Football Club (AFL)

SUMMARY: In our game of Australian rules football, many players are more comfortable kicking for goal on the run because it is an extension of their normal field kicking that occurs in a game or at training. Psychologically, goal shooting in general play is considered easier because the goal kicker is not the entire focus of the game.

For many players a set shot creates internal pressure, particularly if they have missed a couple of their previous shots. That is why some players will play on rather than take a set shot.

Goalkicking from general play is an ‘open’ skill where there is greater variation in time, space and external pressures. The player has to constantly adapt to changes in pressure from the opposition when preparing for a shot.

In this article David Wheadon explains some guidelines for kicking for goal on the run, provides some hints for snap shots and other shots and also outlines some practice ideas for these types of kicks.

David Wheadon is an Assistant Coach at Richmond and has been a career Assistant Coach with previous periods at Geelong, Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood. He is the author of a number of books on coaching skills, drills and tactics for football and is a Level 3 coach.

Click below to download report from the AFL website.

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