Metz, Ryan (2026) Loading and performance of the support leg at different approach speeds in Australian Football kicking. Research Master thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

The support leg is a key part of kicking technique in Australian Football (AF) as well as soccer. Support leg mechanics have been found to be important for both distance and accuracy in male kicking from short run-ups. The next step in examining the involvement of support leg mechanics during fast approach kicks is an important direction to take given many kicks in AF are performed at moderate to high speed. There is also a need to extend this work to female kickers as well as males to determine if gender-based differences exist as this would mean different conditioning and development practices are needed. Therefore, this study aims to continue building on understanding the importance of the support leg in kicking in both males and females, and to understand the differences in support leg mechanics when athletes are moving at different speeds prior to the kick. A total of 19 males and 17 females, ranging in skill from high level local competitions through to the top professional leagues performed five kicks using a slow run-up (2-3m), and five kicks with a fast run-up (10-15m) towards a target approximately 35m away. All kicks were recorded using 3D motion tacking, sampling at 200 Hz and 3D force, sampling at 1000 Hz. Discrete data was determined at support foot touchdown and at ball contact, with maximum/minimum values were used between these events for knee and hip angles and angular velocities and for vertical and anterior-posterior (braking) forces. Continuous data was also evaluated from support foot touchdown through to ball contact for the same parameters. A mixed design ANOVA found that, males and females were significantly different in two of 11 discrete time measures: knee angle at ball contact with females having a more extended knee angle than males (p = 0.009) and hip angle at support foot touchdown with males remaining more extended at the hip than females (p = 0.009). A statistical parametric mapping mixed design ANOVA found there were significant differences between genders in sections for three continuous parameters: knee angular velocity, hip angle, and anterior-posterior ground reaction force (GRF). Fast and slow approach kicks were significantly different in all comparisons (11 discrete and six continuous parameters). The results indicate that males and females likely have similarities but also important differences in kicking techniques. There is also a clear need to train and coach both fast and slow approach kicks separately as the support leg mechanics were significantly different in all parameters, with GRF being higher. For strength training/injury prevention, the data suggests, there is a need to train knee extensor eccentric strength, eccentric and isometric quadricep training, hip extensor strength and power as well as improving general hip and core strength. Future directions may be directed towards the kinetics of support leg mechanics, examining the kick leg at different approach speeds, and gender differences in the kick leg.

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