The effects of approach angle on penalty kicking accuracy and kick kinematics with recreational soccer players

Kicking accuracy is an important component of successfulpenalty kicks, which may be influenced by the approach angle.the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of approachangle on kicking accuracy and three-dimensional kinematicsof penalty kicks. seven male amateur recreational soccerplayers aged (mean ± s) 26 ± 3 years, body mass 74.0 ± 6.8 kg,stature 1.74 ± 0.06 m, who were right foot dominant, kickedpenalties at a 0.6 x 0.6 m target in a full size goal from their selfselectedapproach angle, 30؛, 45؛ and 60؛ (direction of the kickwas 0؛). kicking accuracy and three-dimensional kinematicswere recorded. results revealed that there was no significantdifference in kicking accuracy (p = 0.27) or ball velocity (p =0.59) between the approach angles. pelvic rotation was significantlygreater under the 45؛ and the 60؛ approach angles thanduring the self-selected approach angle (p < 0.05). thigh abductionof the kicking leg at impact using the 60؛ approach anglewas significantly greater than during the self-selected approach(p = 0.01) and the 30؛ approach (p = 0.04). it was concluded thataltering an individual’s self-selected approach angle at recreationallevel did not improve kicking accuracy or ball velocity,despite altering aspects of underlying technique.