The first phase is called the kicking phase. There are three different joints involved; the hip, the knee and the ankle. They are the same as the prepatory phase, although the actions have changed. The hip causes a flexion action therefore the thigh is made to go onward and downward with a forward rotation of the lower leg and foot. As the movement of the thigh slows down, the leg and the foot speed up due to the joints and the release of stored elastic energy in the knee. The knee then contracts to move the foot and leg forward and this is when the ball is struck. As the leg goes over the ball, it is moved stretched and extended, and this is called a flexion action, and the foot is forcefully plantar flexed. At the end of this the top part
