A BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE KICKING LEG DURING A RUGBY PLACE KICK

Abstract

The successful performance of rugby place kicks is often important in determining the outcome of a match. This study aimed to further the understanding of rugby place kicking technique by quantifying and explaining kicking leg joint mechanics. Three-dimensional joint kinematics and kinetics were calculated using an inverse dynamics analysis. Whilst ankle motion was negligible, the knee flexed until around 50% of the kicking phase before extending towards ball contact. A resultant hip flexor moment was largely dominant throughout; it initally reduced extension before initiating flexion near support foot contact. Whilst these patterns were broadly similar to soccer kicking, peak magnitudes of angular velocity and resultant moment appeared to differ from soccer kicking and, along with the mechanics about other joint axes, these require further investigation.