ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of the support leg during the instep kicking in football. Instep kicking is well known as one of the most fundamental and important techniques in association football. Players commonly use this technique when kicking the ball with power. The chapter describes the kinetic aspects of the support leg motion in detail as well as its essential functions during kicking. Conversely, well-informed coaches pay attention to the support leg motion as well as the kicking leg so as to improve instep kicking technique. The chapter examines the mechanics of the support leg motion during football maximal instep kicking, using three-dimensional motion analysis. The mechanics of the support leg motion have not been revealed three-dimensionally while the kicking leg motion has been characterised by detailed segmental and joint motions in multiple planes. Three-dimensional coordinates were expressed as a right-handed orthogonal reference frame fixed on the floor.
