Kicking foot swing planes and support leg kinematics in rugby place kicking: Differences between accurate and inaccurate kickers

Abstract

Place kicking is a complex whole-body movement that contributes 45% of the points scored in international Rugby Union. This study compared the kicking foot swing plane characteristics of accurate and inaccurate kickers, underpinned by differences in their support leg and pelvis kinematics at support foot contact, to identify key technique characteristics. Motion capture data (240 Hz) were collected from 33 experienced kickers, and distinct groups of accurate (n = 18) and inaccurate (n = 8) kickers were identified based on their performance characteristics. All accurate kickers were capable of kicking successfully from at least 33.3 m, whereas all inaccurate kickers would have missed left from distances greater than 30.7 m. The accurate group exhibited a moderately shallower swing plane inclination (50.6 ± 4.8° vs. 54.3 ± 2.1°) and directed the plane moderately further to the right of the target (20.2 ± 5.4° vs. 16.7 ± 4.1°). At support foot contact, the accurate group placed their support foot moderately less far behind the ball (0.08 ± 0.08 m vs. 0.12 ± 0.04 m) and positioned their centre of mass moderately further to the support leg side (0.77 ± 0.07 m vs. 0.72 ± 0.01 m) due to a moderately greater stance leg lean (29.3 ± 4.1° vs. 26.8 ± 3.2°). The kicking foot swing plane is highly planar in rugby place kicking but its orientation differs between accurate and inaccurate kickers. These plane characteristics may be controlled by support foot placement and support leg and pelvis kinematics at support foot contact.

Biomechanics of accurate and inaccurate goal-kicking in Australian football: Group-based analysis

“…Post-hoc analysis supported this concept by indicating a strong relationship between foot-path angle at BC (smaller frontal foot-path angle reflects a more direct line of contact with the ball) and approach angle ( r 2 = 0.77) ( Fig 4 ). Theoretically, a more direct (less angled) striking force applied close to the ball’s centre of mass would propel the ball straight towards the target, with minimal medio-lateral spin (side spin) [ 8 , 12 , 26 , 28 , 29 ]. As a result, this would reduce the lateral deviation of the ball’s flight trajectory away from the centre of the target [ 26 ].…”

“…Players had a tendency to display less knee flexion when they missed to the left of goals, while greater knee flexion was evident when players missed to the right of goals. One possible explanation for this may be related to alterations in swing plane characteristics [ 12 , 26 ]. Having a more extended position (less knee flexion) would allow more rotation of the kick-leg around the vertical axis, resulting in a more curved movement path of the kick-leg.…”

“…Players ranged in skill level from elite (AFL Academy squad, the highest squad level available to 16–18 year old players) to a sub-elite cohort and in playing position (full forwards, half forwards and centre line players). Players were selected based on game demands (coaches identified players that regularly performed the goal-kick during a match) rather than playing level, to represent a higher skilled cohort of goal-kickers [ 12 ]. All players where competing regularly in competition and had no lower extremity injuries in the previous six months.…”

“…Accuracy was measured using two criteria: 1) hit vs miss [ 9 , 10 , 16 , 17 ], and 2) by measuring the horizontal distance from the goal centre [ 12 , 18 ] ( Fig 2 ). Each kick outcome was recorded manually by the same investigator as the ball crossed the goal-line, using a measuring tape.…”

Interval Kicking Program for the Punting and Place-Kicking Athlete: A Systematic Literature Review and Need Analysis

“…Kicking kinematics require sufficient range of motion through the movement, muscle strength, and neuromuscular control, all of which can be hindered by a lower-extremity injury. The planted foot during the kicking movement is of equal importance to the striking foot, as a balanced and stable base is necessary to develop force and accuracy when kicking [ 35 , 36 ]. Kicking in American football, rugby, and Australian rules football takes on two kinematically distinct forms, the punt and the place kick.…”