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As much as people despise Sam Newman, he has got one thing right. Everything in modern football has improved, expect goal kicking. Why?
Goal kicking has been a hot topic in the early stage of the 2012 season. Players like Lindsey Thomas, Lance Franklin and in the last week, Kurt Tippett, have been the subject of intense scrutiny about their kicking styles.
Tippett especially, has had the fortune of being scrutinised for having a bad game up forward last week versus Hawthorn.
While he dominated in the air and played well in the ruck, he couldn’t convert his chances as the great forwards do week in week out.
So why is it that Aaron Edwards of North Melbourne finds ease in kicking for goal whereas Tippett seems to struggle?
There are many plausible theories that have been peddled in the media since the subject has been discussed. Some say that the rise in the speed of the game causes fatigue, while others say the decline of a goal-scoring full forward means nippy midfielders who don’t have a great set shot are left to score.
Coleman Medallist Brian Taylor believes players don’t practice enough because high performance managers are worried about injuries because of the stress on the body (similar to fast bowlers only sending down four overs a training session for Australia).
But I think it’s more to do with the player themselves than any sport science or game-changing philosophy.
The reason some players are terrible at set shots is because their technique to a set shot, while lousy to some, is natural to them.
Taking a set shot for goal is much like a tennis serve or golf swing; it happens according to what feels natural to the person. While there are a few crucial things that are important in kicking goals; it all comes down to what the player feels is natural and comfortable.
Take Lance Franklin for example.
His need for an arc and his natural left to right swing means he always is dicey when lining up for goal.
However, it feels right to him and while he may tinker with it, he will only do what he feels is comfortable to him not what others tell him.
I bring this up as former Crows champion Darren Jarman was quoted in Adelaide media saying that he would love to help Tippett with his goal kicking.
Jarman was a champion sharpshooter in his days but his efforts will be futile. While he can tell Tippett all his great secrets, if Tippett doesn’t feel comfortable he won’t use it on game day.
Goal-kicking coaches for teams are useless as they try to teach a uniform solution to what is an individual’s concern. Goal-kicking is an art, and like all arts, lives in the domain of being everything from classic to abstract.
Tippett and Franklin are abstract but it’s natural, and will be their style until something else feels more comfortable.
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