Why does Johnny Wilkinson do that stand thing before he kicks?

Question

...where he kind of prays or something...

Answer 1

He`s really praying to the Lord ! ..." please Lord , let this be a Conversion of a REAL TRY, not just another daaam penalty goal...........but ...Alas..the Lord never delivers any try`s.

Answer 2

I saw an interview when he talked about this and he does it because it helps him visualise the distance between the ball and the posts. He also imagines a big open mouth in between the posts so that he can think that he can kick the ball in to the mouth, a bit weird but hey!

Answer 3

I think Rob Andrew actually started it all. Something about putting yourself in a bubble and yadda yadda yadda.

Seems to have worked well for both kickers.

Answer 4

Concentration and preparation!

Neil Jenkins always shrugged his shoulders  a few times before a kick!

Answer 5

Lol, well its just like why does David Beckham raise his left arm when kicking a free kick, or why Ronaldinho slightly raises his left arm with his palm flat out like he's measuring some1s height. Its basically the way that the player has found to balance his/her body so that they can kick precisely each time . For all most people cannot tell, Jonny Wilkinson actually changes his stance each time he does a different kick, whether its his weight distribution on each foot, leaning slightly forward or back, or just kicking the ball at a slightly different angle.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

its a kind of ritual, but it also helps him to judge how hard to kick the ball etc...but he does look like hes sitting on the toilet lol!!!

Answer 7

Its a ritual that prepares him for the kick. Its a way of getting into the right state of mind, many sports people do this.

Answer 8

Lol.  It does look very weird but it is just his way of preparing for the kick.  Actually looks like a praying mantis about to take a...well..a dump.  Sorry dont mean that in an offensive way, but as long as it works is all that matters.  Always makes me smile though.

Answer 9

As an ex-goal kicker myself, I found that doing a ritualistic thing help prepare yourself for the kick and gets a habit formed.

Mine was to place the ball with the seam pointing directly at the centre of the goal, stand with my kicking boot behind the ball, and my non-kicking at the side. Look at the goal. Take 5 steps back using the non-kicking foot first. Stop, look at the goal. Take 2 steps to the left, stop, look at the goal, clean kicking boot on back of non-kicking sock, take slight step back and approach ball, kick it and watch it sail majestically over the bar and between the posts. (most of the time, I still hold the club record for goals in a match, 12)

Answer 10

Errrm!!! I think its called visualisation, others call it 'style'. I have watched many a 'boot', comdination of both perhaps???