Goalkicking

[NPK]

Does anyone know why the majority of league goalkickers all have a similar goalkicking technique, whereas the union goalkickers all share their own technique?
ie. If you didn't know which sport was being played and you saw a goalkick, you could tell which code it was easily...(with the exception of Hannay, who looks like Wilkinson when he kicks)

Why is there a difference?

 

[pcpp]

What is the difference?

I never watch union games.

 

[Ryan_Loves_Broncos]

Union boys are just trying to be gay whereas league boys actually try and make their action help their goalkicking. Look at Roff. He puts his fists together. It just looks gay and half the time he misses anyway.

 

[NPK]

Well, (many of) the union kickers hunch over a lot when they kick..it just looks totally different from league.

 

[ledzep]

League kickers aim to get it in

 

[Timmah]

Never really pay attention, don't really care either. Very weird topic :?

 

[NPK]

I just thought of it when I flicked over to channel 7 while watching the Broncos match and seeing a conversion kicked. Not a weird topic at all 8)

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm I'd say because there are far more goalkicks in union, and a team is far more dependent on kicking, the kickers all work out their own styles, I mean, most union kickers kick at 85% or above, guys like Carter, Montgomery, Wilkinson, Burke, Humphreys....etc. This tends to show agreat deal more practice hence the ability to make their style more individual.

Also you can practically get picked as a goalkicker in union, so kickers tend to be more individual, unlike league where most kickers are specialists in a certain position, who kick on the side (however most of Unions great kickers are great players as well).

 

[Phillips]

probably because league & union balls are both different......

im so smart 8)

 

[ledzep]

I mean, most union kickers kick at 85% or above,

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Mal Meninga]

Aren't league balls heavier?

 

[Iafeta]

I believe there is a difference in the weight of the ball so a different technique would be needed.

 

[ByRd]

yep, league balls are heavier

 

[I Bleed Green]

Matt Gafa has a real funny technique for a league player, he takes like two steps in and then smashes it. I don't think I've seen a kicker take a shorter "run up".

 

[Parra_Boy]

Matt Gafa is a champ, that's how a football should be kicked. In my games when i kick that's how I do it, you don't even need to do all that 3 steps back 3 steps to teh right left or whatever. just stick it on the ground and smack it over lol.

I think Micheal Witt might have abit of a Union strike on him from the games I've seen him kick in.

 

[salivor]

The balls are different but it's quite clear that Union players such as Johnny Wilkinson have much more accurate techniques than league players. I've always been surprised in the difference in the standard of kicking between the codes, especially when quite a few league players also play union when they're younger.

 

[Wests is Best]

Another reason might be because Union conversions can be charged down by the defence. The chargers can start running towards the ball once the kicker commences his approach to the ball. Therefore trhe preperation of the Union kicker might be different.

 

[DIEHARD]

Maybe because in League goalkicking is an after thought, a bonus...

In Union it is the main attraction...

Wow...I love Union. Not! :lol:

 

[Bring it home Knights]

God union have terrible rules. If you get a penalty and have a shot for goal, the opposition have the option off running at the kicker. If you get a penalty, the opposition have the opertunity to get the ball back from a line out. What a joke!!!

 

[Steven Gerrard]

Schifcofske trained in the off-season with the welsh rugby union team, so when he takes a shot at goal, you will notice that his now got the hunched back style to strike it over similar to union fellas like Wilkonson. I think it provides more focus and balance?