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Biomechanical Framework

The purpose of the book is to give coaches and players a clear, technical understanding of the biomechanics of the Australian Rules Football kicking action, with a goal of analysing and improving.

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Stuart McFarlane

BSc (Sport & Exercise Science) GEd

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A biomechanical framework for the Australian Rules Football kicking action

Selecting the Kick

There are multiple kicks used in Australian Rules Foootball.  The Low Flat Pass focuses on the running-kick and the set-shot.

Game Considerations

Before analysing the kicking action, the rules and other obligations of the game are considered.  These factors define what a 'good' kick needs to achieve in match conditions.

Biomechanical Principles

Each step in the sequence must respect three governing principles for the kick to be efficient, repeatable, and adaptable under pressure.

10 Step Analysis

The kicking action is divided into 10 steps.  Thos structure makes the concept digestable and the movement coachable.

Ideal Balance Arm

Step 3, Paragraph 1, The Low Flat Pass

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The balance-arm finishes in a position that pushes the chest forward and brings the trunk into a more upright position.  The motion, and resulting position of the balance-hand, assists in moving the pelvis from an anterior tilt to a posterior pelvic tilt.  Another advantage of the balance-arm is to spread the weight to the loaded foot.  Two benefits of this are maintaining the natural centre of gravity exhibited in normal running-gait to allow the player to move more fluently, and reducing the fraction of entire body weight disturbed by the momentum of the kicking-leg during ball strike.

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The Low Flat Pass

Stuart McFarlane

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Defining Characteristics of the Running-Kick

Page 93, The Low Flat Pass

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The following five principles capture how the 10-step framework defines an elite kick.  An elite running-kick integrates technical precision with biomechanical efficiency.  In practice, this means:

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1. Drop-punt execution - the foundation of reliable ball flight and accurancy.

2. Disposal at pace - controlled transfer from hand to foot, beginning with the correct hand-position on the ball, and guided efficiently into impact for accurate low-trajectory delivery.

3. Agility under pressure - the ability to change direction with the ball in hand, maintain torso stability, and still execute a precise kick.

4. Balance across the kinetic chain - stability is maintained before, during, and after impact, with gait rhythm preserved.

5. Adaptability to teammates - maintaining ball control while carrying and releasing efficiently to hit moving targets under game conditions.

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Stuart McFarlane

Sports Scientist
BSc (Sport & Exercise Science) GEd

Stuart McFarlane is a sport scientist, educator, and consultant specialising in the biomechanics of movement and skill acquisition. A former student of Roy Redman’s kicking methodology, he has maintained a long association with Kick Builders and the continuing development of The Low Flat Pass.

 

Holding a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching, McFarlane combines academic training with a lifelong passion for technical skill performance in Australian Rules Football.

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