AFL features several different kicking styles, but the drop punt stands out as the dominant technique because of its steady flight, pinpoint accuracy, and the fact that it's easy for a teammate to mark. No matter which kick a player chooses, three core principles form the foundation of every successful attempt:
Ball Control
Lower Leg Speed
Firm Foot
In this guide we break down two distinct ways to apply the drop punt on the field:
Weighted Kick
Focused on touch and hang time to land the ball exactly where you want it.
Penetrating Kick
Built for distance and speed, cutting through the air with minimal hang time.
Skill: Weighted Kick
The weighted kick is designed to add extra hang time so the ball lands in a specific zone where a teammate is already waiting or, ideally, running onto the ball at pace. This is a finesse shot rather than a power one. The receiving player should be able to glide into the drop zone and mark the ball without breaking stride. Kickers aim for a spot on the ground rather than a teammate directly, a concept often called kicking to advantage.
Activities: Weighted Kick
Send the ball up into the air at different heights and mark it yourself, trying not to shift your feet to catch it. Pay attention to how each height feels, and notice how kicks at varying heights produce different sounds and flight paths.
- Try to mark the ball on a chosen spot after kicking it up.
- Switch to your non-preferred foot to build balance.
- Set up a target such as a wheelie bin, bucket, or post and aim for it.
Mark out three 5m x 5m squares spaced 15m, 25m, and 30m apart. One player picks up the ball while the partner calls out which square to run into. The kicker then delivers a weighted kick into that square for the receiver to collect on the move.
- Raise the difficulty by shrinking the squares (accuracy) or widening the gaps between them (distance).
- Bring in a third player as a defender on the mark for the kicker to clear.
Skill: Penetrating Kick
A penetrating kick is one that covers serious ground with very little hang time in the air. Players who can deliver this kick consistently are a huge asset to any side. They tend to possess a highly efficient technique and can generate exceptional foot speed at the point of contact.
Activities: Penetrating Kick
Grab a portable goal post or any target that can be knocked down, and try to topple it with a penetrating kick. Begin at around 15m out and gradually move further back as you improve.
- Turn it into a contest with a partner to see who can knock the post over first.
String a rope at roughly head height between two points. Players kick the ball to each other beneath the rope so the receiver can mark it. Because the ball has to stay low and flat, you'll naturally be forced into a penetrating kick.
- Each time a player takes a clean mark, they step back one pace to stretch the next kick further. Keep extending the distance while still keeping the kick low — the longer the range, the more penetration you'll need.
Train smarter, not just harder. Refining your drop punt takes repetition, and the right equipment turns any backyard or training paddock into a productive practice space. A sturdy kicking net lets you rack up reps without chasing the ball across the field after every kick.
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