PUNT KICK

Key Points

• Hold the ball firmly with both hands.
• Head down, eyes on the ball.
• Step forward with the non-kicking foot
• Release the ball into the hand at the kicking side and extend the opposite arm away from the body to aid balance.
• Extend the wrist and drop the ball onto the kicking foot.
• Kick the ball with the instep, that is, the laced part of the boot.
• Keep the toes pointed
• Follow through in the direction of the target.

Practice the Technique

Drill 1 - Basic - Punt Kick to Partner

• Divide the group into pairs, one football per pair.
• Mark out a channel for each pair, who face each other approximately 10m apart
• Each player in turn punt kicks the ball to their partner.
• To kick with the right leg take the first step with the left leg and vice versa.
• It may be necessary to group children on the basis of ability.
• To increase the difficulty of the drill, increase the distance the players are required to kick the ball.

Drill 2 – Intermediate – Kick and Move

• Divide the players into groups of 8, with one ball per group
• Mark out a distance of approximately 20 to 25 metres using cones.
• Place a further marker 5m from each of the outer cones.
• Four Players line up at either cone.
• The player in possession jogs forward and punt kicks the ball for the player opposite to catch which also jogging forward.
• The drill continues over and back, each player following on to line up at the back of the opposite line.
• Encourage players to both kick and catch the ball on the move.

Drill 3 - Intermediate – Punt Kick in a Line

• Mark out 4 cones in a line each approximately 20m apart
• One player is positioned at each cone
• The ball is punt kicked from player to player over and back across the line
• Initially the kicker kicks from a stationary position to the receiver who is moving towards the ball
• Adapt the drill by requiring the kicker to pass the ball while moving
• After a set period of time rotate the outside players with the inside players
• To increase the difficulty of the drill further introduce an opponent for each player to provide token opposition

Drill 4 - Intermediate - Grid

• Mark out a grid approximately 20m x 20m
• Divide the players into pairs
• Each pair must move and punt kick the ball to each other within the confines of the grid
• As the receiver moves around the grid the kicker must turn to face the receiver each time in order to punt kick the ball correctly
• This drill can incorporate kicking from a stationary position and while moving and to a receiver who is stationary or moving
• The drill may also be organised with 3 or more players by increasing the size of the grid

Drill 5 - Advanced - Grid

• Mark out a grid approximately 30m x 30m
• The players work in 2 pairs, with one ball
• The player in possession must kick to their partner in the opposite pair
• The second player in the opposite pair provides token opposition
• On receiving the pass the ball is transferred to the other player in the pair who in turn punt kicks back to their partner
• Encourage the receiver to move into different positions to take each pass
• After a set time reverse the roles of kicker and receiver in each pair

Develop the Technique

Fun Game 1 –  Hit the cones

• Mark out a grid 25m by 25m
• Place a number of cones across the middle of the grid.
• Divide the group into teams of 3-5 players
• Give 1 or 2 footballs to each team.
• The player in possession attempts to strike one of the cones in the middle of the grid using the punt kick
• For each successful strike award one point.
• Extra points may be awarded for knocking a cone over or for a clean catch if the ball is struck too far.
• Alternatively points may be awarded for kicking the ball through gaps in the cones.

Fun Game 2 -  Possession Punt Kick

• Mark out a grid 25m by 25m.
• Divide the players into equal teams
• The objective of the game is for the team with the ball to retain possession by punt kicking the ball to one another.
• If the ball hits the ground or a pass is intercepted the other team take possession
• The team with the greatest number of consecutive hand passes wins

Grid Game – Possession Football

• Mark out a grid 40m x 20m
• Divide the players into teams of 4 or five
• The object of the game is to retain possession by punt kicking the ball to a teammate
• If the ball is intercepted or is kicked outside the perimeter of the grid the other team win possession
• The team who retain possession for the greatest number of passes in sequence wins.