Windy conditions can have a significant impact on the game of Australian football. This is because the field used is the largest of all football codes. It is oval in shape about 160 meters long and 120 meters wide in the middle of the field. Since long kicks are a feature of the game, the wind can wreak havoc on the ball.

This article looks at some of the things players should be aware of when playing in windy conditions.

When playing against the wind, the ball will fall short. Therefore, the players must be ready in front of the group to take the mark. Other players, at the front of the packs, must be ready for the ball to spill forward.

On the other hand, a ball kicked in the wind is more likely to fly over the pack or fly out of the pack’s hands towards the back of the pack.

In a crosswind, here the ball will swing across the front of the pack out on the opposite side to the direction of the wind.

Kicking at goal in windy conditions is difficult. The player must drop the ball in a much lower position to guide the foot and reduce the impact of the wind on the ball when it falls towards the player’s instep.

When kicking against the wind, the player should aim to keep the ball as low as possible to reduce the impact of the ball. The opposite is true when kicking in the wind. That means the ball must be kicked high to take full advantage of the force of the wind to move the ball greater distances.

Crosswind kicking means that the player should aim against the wind of his target and keep the ball low to reduce lateral movement of the ball.

A torpedo clearance is very effective with the wind traveling much farther than a drop clearance. On the other hand, the drop point is more effective and accurate in other wind conditions.

The most important idea to remember is the need to guide the ball into the boot from a much lower landing position to ensure good contact with the ball.