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Not only are the twins perfect for kids and their smaller hands, but they’re a great training tool for footy coaches too.
It might be one of the most basic styles of kicking in Australian rules football, but it’s one that should be learned from the moment you invest in your first footy. We’re talking about the drop punt (AKA the punt).
This taught technique might seem simple at first glance, but if your kids are just starting, it might come with its own set of challenges, such as getting their hands in the right position and keeping balanced while they line up the ball.
So, to help make things easier, Sherrin in conjunction with former Adelaide and Geelong players, James Podsiadly, and current Crow, Rory Sloane, released Face Footys – cute and colourful training footballs for kids aged 5 to 11 years.
Their bright colours, characters (hello, Dukes, Skipper, Rocket, Radar, Rusty, and Goldie), and simple messaging of ‘Cover the ears, Point the nose, Kick the chin’, make it the perfect first footy for kids to help them remember the best steps to kick a drop punt, every time.
The original four are made from easy-to-grip super soft touch material, which makes them great for kicking around the backyard, or down at the local oval. The newest members and twins of the Face Footys family, Rusty (red) and Goldie (yellow) are made from synthetic material that makes them love the rough and tumble of the game, no matter the weather conditions or situation.
Not only are the twins perfect for kids and their smaller hands, but they’re a great training tool for footy coaches too. Being a little more tough-skinned than their siblings, you may want to keep these guys just for training and use on a footy ground.
If your little one can master the drop punt technique from the get-go, it will help provide them with the foundation to develop a well-rounded set of skills. For more advanced tips, see below for our step-by-step guide.
- First, line up their body with the target with their hips square and position their head slightly slanted over the ball.
- Hold the ball with their hands on either side, laces facing outwards. Ensure their thumbs are pointing naturally toward the top of the main seam, without touching it.
- Turn the ball to point down at 90 degrees.
- Get them to guide the ball down with one hand (same hand as their kicking leg) until it’s over their thigh.
- With the ball upright, ask them to release it when the kicking foot is raised into the kick.
- Make sure they have a firm foot and ankle on impact to follow through, with their toes pointing towards the target.
- Try to maintain balance throughout the kicking motion. Their non-kicking foot should remain on the ground.
- Don't forget to tell them to keep their eyes on the ball after kicking to assess the path and direction of their kick.
Remember, practice makes it perfect better. Get them to start with short distances and gradually increase the length as they become more comfortable and accurate with their technique. For more help and personalised tips on how to kick a footy, seek guidance from a coach or experienced players.