Quadriceps strain injuries are a common burden in kicking-based sports such as AFL and soccer. While the quadriceps comprises four muscles, the rectus femoris is the muscle most frequently injured due to its unique role crossing both the hip and knee joints. During kicking, the rectus femoris is exposed to high forces as it rapidly lengthens and shortens to generate ball velocity, making it particularly vulnerable to injury.

A common mistake is assuming that strength training alone prepares athletes for the demands of kicking. In reality, the rectus femoris must also develop tolerance to the specific volume and intensity of kicking required in competition. This is especially important during the off-season, when kicking exposure often decreases before a rapid increase during pre-season training.

Recent AFLW data (Thomas et al., 2026) demonstrated that players perform approximately 37 kicks per session, including around 16 low-intensity (<25m distance), 16 moderate-intensity (25-35m) and 5 high-intensity kicks (>35m), with average kicking velocities of approximately 14 m/s and weekly maximum velocities approaching 18-19 m/s. Importantly, pre-season training typically involves higher kicking intensities than in-season training and therefore there is little surprise quadriceps injuries are most common during this time.

Research has also shown that weighted drop punts and punch kicks account for the vast majority of all kicks performed in elite male and female Australian football, making them the primary kicking actions that should be progressively developed during preparation and rehabilitation (Davies et al., 2025).

A practical off-season progression may involve:
1. Short-distance/low-velocity kicking.
2. Progressive increases in kicking volume.
3. Introduction of longer-distance drop punts and punch kicks.
4. Controlled high-intensity kicking.
5. Maximal-distance kicking and reactive, game-specific kicking under fatigue.

Soccer presents a different challenge. Professional players may accumulate 100-150 kicks per session, however a large proportion are low-intensity side-foot passes. Only a small proportion involve high-speed strikes, crosses, long passes or shots on goal. This highlights a key principle: understanding sport-specific kicking demands is essential when preparing athletes for competition.

By gradually increasing both kick volume and kick intensity, athletes can better prepare the rectus femoris for the demands of pre-season and potentially reduce the risk of quadriceps strain injuries. Understanding not just how many kicks occur, but what type of kicks are performed, is critical for effective injury prevention and return to play planning.

Thomas, R. J., Pizzari, T., Timmins, R. G., Rowe, P. L., Scollo, A., Bell, C., Dawson, O., & Ball, K. (2026). Quantifying kicking loads during pre- and in-season training across two seasons in professional female Australian football. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.09.004

Davies, R., Sweeting, A. J., & Robertson, S. (2025). Concurrent validation of foot-mounted inertial measurement units for quantifying Australian Rules football kicking. Science and Medicine in Football, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2025.2536532