ABSTRACT
Kicking has been described as ‘a unique form of striking in which the foot is used to impart force to a ball’ (Wickstrom, 1977, p. 177). 1 This description encompasses actions such as the instep kick, punt, side-footed pass, drop-kick and chip where the aim is to direct the ball towards a target with appropriate power and accuracy. McCrudden and Reilly (1993) observe that the action of kicking is pervasive throughout all sports that fall under the classification of football (e.g. American Football, Gaelic Football, Soccer). As kicking is a common feature of many sports, it is important to understand how the mature kicking action is acquired. However, regardless of the importance of kicking techniques to successful performance in various codes of football, there has been relatively little research into their acquisition in children. In this chapter we provide an overview of our current understanding of how various kicking techniques are acquired and co-ordinated in young performers. Where appropriate, recommendations for future research are highlighted and practical applications identified.
