Toast Luke Ball's kicking.

[half_back_flank]

Is it just me or Luke's kicking has significantly improved this year?

Last year it looked to be a very labour intensive action, with his absolute limit being 45 metres. However, the first two games there has been a big improvement, spotting up targets easily and accurately while also being able to kick much longer. His kicking action is looking much more free flowing too.

First noticed it during the pre season, culminated in this beautiful 45 metre one step goal in the NAB Cup Grand final (8.30 in).

[YOUTUBE]Mnm2g3PL1XQ[/YOUTUBE]

Seems to me like the groin problems that have plagued him over the past few years are much better and his kicking has benefited. Hopefully he should gain an extra yard or two of pace too.

His disposal efficiency has reflected this, with 75% efficiency against Port and 79% against North. The North game was particularly impressive, with Ball having nearly twice as many kicks as handballs, last year that would have likely resulted in a sub 60 DE% game.

He's in for a massive year i feel.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

LOL, @ 5:00

And they say our fans are the ferals?

 

[Swooop]

Is it just me or Luke's kicking has significantly improved this year?

Yeah, I think you're right.

The thing that's quite noticeable is that he kicks through the ball, allows his leg to follow through now, much more than he used to.

He used to 'stab' at the ball and end his follow through very, very early.

Think this means his groin/hip/pelvis issue, whatever it was, is a lot better

 

[Wooljay]

Certainly seems that way, a fresh start can impact on a lot of different aspects of your game, especially in a new environment with new coaching staff and medicos.

Unrelated side note: does anyone else find it moderately amusing that with Hayes and Geary now down for the Saints, Luke Ball would likely have been their last resort for in and under if he was still there?

 

[Zahki]

He's a professional, apparently last year he was in the Westpac Center on his days off working on his kicking, and probably put a lot of time into it over the offseason too. He'd know it's the weakest part of his game and so he works his butt off to improve it, looks like it's paying dividends.

 

[Bay Pie]

Also noticed his 'free' unhindered running. His gait looks really clean unlike last year.

I've regularly seen him running through the guts with some linking play.

Massive bonus.

 

[Ed D]

Ha! I just mentioned this in another thread without seeing this one! I agree, he's looking like he's kicking the ball longer and he also seems to be sprinting faster as well.

 

[mattys123]

Better facilities = a better player.

At StKilda he was training out of the equivalent to Victoria Park (Moorabin) and when he came to Collingwood, the club, with the use of better training facilities would have targeted his "weaknesses" and developed them further.

Luke Ball is a better player now then what he would have been at the same time if he had of stayed at Stkilda, and his kicking is just one of the areas he has improved in.

Even his endurance was questioned when he first came to Collingwood, now he spends as much time on the ground as any of our mids.

Once again, Thank You Ross Lyon.

 

[HFF]

Have noticed the exact same thing.

Running much more freely, evident by his wonderful link up work and his disposal by foot has really gone up a notch too. Pin point passes, be it under pressure or not as well as wonderful decision making and composure when the ball is in his hands.

Has definitely become a better all round footballer at Collingwood, particularly since everyone outside of our club thought he was finished and useless.

 

[Swooop]

Would be a nice feeling for him knowing he has the option of kicking now with a much higher chance of hitting up targets.

 

[Pie eyed]

Still can't kick over a jam tin.

 

[Quicky]

I thought early last year he tried to do too much with his kicking. It was a matter of playing within his abilities. Mick has preached this in the past and it is true of Ball. Certainly an injury free body has played it's role but I think the overiding factor has been playing within his ability. There has been a definite improvement in his field kicking.

 

[thecig]

Better facilities = a better player.

At StKilda he was training out of the equivalent to Victoria Park (Moorabin) and when he came to Collingwood, the club, with the use of better training facilities would have targeted his "weaknesses" and developed them further.

Luke Ball is a better player now then what he would have been at the same time if he had of stayed at Stkilda, and his kicking is just one of the areas he has improved in.

Even his endurance was questioned when he first came to Collingwood, now he spends as much time on the ground as any of our mids.

Once again, Thank You Ross Lyon.

This shouldn't be understated. Not only does it give our players the chance to prosper as footballers, but injuries too. I honestly can't remember the last time a collingwood player had a soft tissue injury, ie: hamstring, etc - ignore McCarthy as his hammies seem to be an isolated case. The last major issue i can think of regarding this was N Buckley, but to be fair Bucks was a very senior player that was in his last few years. - Happy to be corrected on this... memory isn't exactly my greatest asset.

It also has probably a lot to do with our rotation numbers as player's aren't being overworked (even if the AFL wants to ignore it regarding its rule changes )

I think Bally has benefited greatly from being at a club that can manage its players correctly and puts a lot of effort into the sports science side of the game, and its showing great benefits to bally. David Buttifant should be commended on how he has managed our list. I think he's up there with Hine in regards to his importance he has behind the scenes.

Sorry if this has derailed the thread lol.

 

[StillWaiting5689]

I thought early last year he tried to do too much with his kicking. It was a matter of playing within his abilities. Mick has preached this in the past and it is true of Ball. Certainly an injury free body has played it's role but I think the overiding factor has been playing within his ability. There has been a definite improvement in his field kicking.

One other factor I would add to this is the fact that we have destroyed our opposition which not only has the benefit of players confidence being sky high but also when we get the ball the amount of running free targets is significantly higher.

I'm interested to see if he can maintain it for a while, I still expect to see some shanks but I think the most important thing for his improved kicking will be his decision making.

 

[TownleyTime]

Tis a shame Bally got OP so bad (he'll never shake it). I remember watching him in the APS & he could kick 50 plus with ease. Absolute freak show before it hit.

 

[thecig]

Tis a shame Bally got OP so bad (he'll never shake it). I remember watching him in the APS & he could kick 50 plus with ease. Absolute freak show before it hit.

I think it had a lot to do with St Kilda's mismanagement of him.
I mean look @ Adam Cooney, he had OP and came back to be a brownlow medallist, as far as i can tell his kicking penetration hasn't really been all that effected.

 

[Number 10]

Yep, spot on, he is quicker and can kick further... and more accurately too.

His confidence has improved in his kicking and it will be good to see his HB:Kick Ratio at the end of the year and his efficiency too.

 

[loki04]

Also noticed his 'free' unhindered running. His gait looks really clean unlike last year.

I've regularly seen him running through the guts with some linking play.

Massive bonus.

Yeah i noticed this and looks like he has regained some pace too.

 

[Ed D]

This shouldn't be understated. Not only does it give our players the chance to prosper as footballers, but injuries too. I honestly can't remember the last time a collingwood player had a soft tissue injury, ie: hamstring, etc - ignore McCarthy as his hammies seem to be an isolated case. The last major issue i can think of regarding this was N Buckley, but to be fair Bucks was a very senior player that was in his last few years. - Happy to be corrected on this... memory isn't exactly my greatest asset.

It also has probably a lot to do with our rotation numbers as player's aren't being overworked (even if the AFL wants to ignore it regarding its rule changes )

I think Bally has benefited greatly from being at a club that can manage its players correctly and puts a lot of effort into the sports science side of the game, and its showing great benefits to bally. David Buttifant should be commended on how he has managed our list. I think he's up there with Hine in regards to his importance he has behind the scenes.

Sorry if this has derailed the thread lol.

Heath Shaw has had hamstring/back problems and I think Maxwell hurt his calf last year, but it's true, soft tissue injuries have been well down at the club. Didak had a calf injury a couple of years ago, but if we're going that far back it's looking pretty good.

 

[thecig]

Heath Shaw has had hamstring/back problems and I think Maxwell hurt his calf last year, but it's true, soft tissue injuries have been well down at the club. Didak had a calf injury a couple of years ago, but if we're going that far back it's looking pretty good.

Exception that makes the rule?

 

[lamaros]

Noticed this in your game against North. Massive bonus for you guys.