A drop kick is a type of kick in various codes of football. It involves a player intentionally dropping the ball and then kicking it either (different sports have different definitions) 'as it rises from the first bounce' (rugby)[1] or 'as, or immediately after, it touches the ground' (gridiron football).[2]
Drop kicks are used as a method of restarting play and scoring points in rugby union and rugby league. Also, association football goalkeepers often return the ball to play with drop kicks. The kick was once in wide use in both Australian rules football and gridiron football, but is rarely used anymore in either sport.[3][4]
- ^ "Law definitions | World Rugby Laws".
- ^ "2023 NFL Rulebook | NFL Football Operations".
- ^ "What happened to the drop kick?". afl.com.au. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Patriots' Flutie converts first drop kick since 1941". ESPN.com. 2006-01-01. Retrieved 2021-05-02.