Getting distance back
TLDR: will I ever get my goal kick distance back at 32? Any tips other than kicking over and over?
I have been a keeper all my life and taken a few breaks over years but getting back into it now with over 30 7-a-side. My positioning and reflexes came back, still a bit mad diving at feet, and my throw is sighting in, but my goal kicks are dire.
It was never the best part of my game but now I am Barely making it to half on a small field and almost no lift. After a match with about 10 goal kicks, my leg is dead. Can’t extend my toes or dorsiflex my foot for a day.
I’m in the gym 3-4 days a week for general wellness and flexibility. I am going to try and start band work regularly since I know a good kick is more about leg speed than strength but my question is: is there any point at my age?
I know I am not over the hill but realistically I’ll never get my vertical or my speed back. Between a job, family and a lifetime of minor strains/sprains leaving scar tissue it’s tough to get that level of training in.
Has anyone over 30 put the work in and actually gotten better at kicking? Or is it just slowing the decline? I see teams have spotted this weakness and playing out the back isn’t always an option.
If so, how did you do it ? Some of the tips I see online for kicking is just kicking into the net over and over again. Tough to get time on the pitch so looking for something at the house.