PROSPECTIVE draftees will be tested on their kicking skills for the first time at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra.

Future Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has devised a high-pressure kicking examination, following demand by recruiters who wanted more information on players' ability to kick accurately on both sides of the body.

Players will have six targets to aim for at various lengths ranging from 20m to 40m and on either side of a field. They will have only one shot at each target, and won't be told which target to aim for until they receive the ball.

Scores ranging from excellent to poor will be given for speed, accuracy, ball spin and trajectory.

The 2009 NAB AFL Draft Camp will be held at the AIS in Canberra between Wednesday September 30 and Friday October 2.

How the test works

Each player has six kicks to six different targets.

Targets are randomly called as they receive the football.

The calls are:
  • 'short left' or 'short right' (20m)
  • 'middle left' or 'middle right' (30m)
  • 'long left' or 'long right'(40m)
Another player will be in the centre of a 2m diameter target circle to mark the ball

Kicks will be rated as follows:
  • 5 points – excellent
    Target didn’t move and ball travelled quickly with low trajectory and perfect spin
  • 4 points – very good
    Target receives within one step off the cone, low trajectory and good spin
  • 3 points – effective
    Target receives with a foot inside circle, good trajectory and spin
  • 2 – ineffective
    Target had to leave circle to mark ball, good trajectory and spin
  • 1 – poor
    Target unable to mark football, poor trajectory and spin

Players will wear football boots and their kicks will be taped from two angles and made available for clubs to assess.

The new NAB AFL Draft Camp kicking test