As a punter, you'll either be using a two- or three-step punting motion. Because there is less chance to have the punt blocked in a two-step setup, we'll focus on that technique. In a real world application, you'll have to adjust if your coach wants you using a three-step approach.
With either style, it's important that your steps be smooth and that you don't overstride. You will want to picture yourself walking toward the ball, never in a hurry or leaning back as you take your steps.
In a two-step motion, you want to be in a comfortable stance and:
1. Your kicking foot should be slightly in front of your back foot
2. Your first step should be a short step with your front foot
3. Your first step should be slightly to the outside and not straight ahead
4. You want to land on the ball of your kicking foot
5. Your next step should be a normal step
6. The length of this step should be the same as your normal walking stride
7. You want this step to land in a position slightly across the center of your body
8. As with the kicking foot, you want to land on the ball of your foot, allowing you to transfer power into the actual kick
We've practiced your approach...in future tips we'll be going through the process of getting the ball in your hands and actually striking it to give your team the best field position possible!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Special Teams - Stance for Punters
As a punter, you'll want to have a stance that puts you in the best position to move to the right or left, bend to the ground, or even leap high to corral a poorly snapped ball.
Start getting into your stance by:
1. Standing straight up
2. Keeping your feet even
3. Spreading your feet about hip-width or slightly wider
4. Taking a slight step forward with your punting foot from the feet-even position
5. Positioning the toe of your back foot even with the middle of your forward kicking foot
When set in your stance:
1. You should feel your weight on the balls of both feet
2. You should have a slight bend to your knees
3. Your shoulders should be brought forward so that they are slightly in front of your hips
4. Your head should be upright with your eyes looking straight ahead
From this position you should practice without the ball, moving in every direction. You must feel comfortable going after any snapped ball no matter where it is, including those in danger of sailing over your head. After practicing this without the ball, without a rush, you'll be ready for team practice and better prepared for a live situation.
Start getting into your stance by:
1. Standing straight up
2. Keeping your feet even
3. Spreading your feet about hip-width or slightly wider
4. Taking a slight step forward with your punting foot from the feet-even position
5. Positioning the toe of your back foot even with the middle of your forward kicking foot
When set in your stance:
1. You should feel your weight on the balls of both feet
2. You should have a slight bend to your knees
3. Your shoulders should be brought forward so that they are slightly in front of your hips
4. Your head should be upright with your eyes looking straight ahead
From this position you should practice without the ball, moving in every direction. You must feel comfortable going after any snapped ball no matter where it is, including those in danger of sailing over your head. After practicing this without the ball, without a rush, you'll be ready for team practice and better prepared for a live situation.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Special Teams - Intro to Punting
A punter must have good hands and the coordination to drop the ball and strike it accurately and with force in the air with his foot.
A punter is responsible for catching the ball from center, stepping forward and dropping the ball to his foot to make the kick, accurately punting the ball high in the air and down the field, and being the last man in position to tackle a punt returner.
When you're a punter, you're in a unique position. Every time you take the field, you have a great chance to heavily influence the battle of field position. With a good punt and good coverage by your teammates, you have the chance to pin an opposing team's offense deep within their own territory.
Every offense struggles occasionally. Your punting is key to moving the ball away from your endzone and giving the defense an opportunity to get a key stop and give your offense a breather.
The greatest punters accept the challenge and pressure of this critically important role and shine in the spotlight of being a field position general.
A punter is responsible for catching the ball from center, stepping forward and dropping the ball to his foot to make the kick, accurately punting the ball high in the air and down the field, and being the last man in position to tackle a punt returner.
When you're a punter, you're in a unique position. Every time you take the field, you have a great chance to heavily influence the battle of field position. With a good punt and good coverage by your teammates, you have the chance to pin an opposing team's offense deep within their own territory.
Every offense struggles occasionally. Your punting is key to moving the ball away from your endzone and giving the defense an opportunity to get a key stop and give your offense a breather.
The greatest punters accept the challenge and pressure of this critically important role and shine in the spotlight of being a field position general.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Special Teams: Placekicking for Holders
As the holder, you must position yourself on the opposite side of the kicking tee (or the spot you'll place the ball) from the kicker. Once even with the tee, kneel down with your back knee on the ground seven yards from the center. The foot of your front leg should be up with your toe pointed directly at the goal post. From this position, lean slightly forward toward the center.
Next, put your back hand on the center of the "tee" and extend your front hand and arm toward the center. This front arm and hand, palm down, is the top portion of the center's target and should be even with the middle of your chest. Ask the kicker if he is ready to proceed. When he tells you he is:
1. Bring your other hand off the ground and form a complete target for the center's snap
2. Touch your thumbs together to catch the ball correctly
3. Be prepared for the snap to come at any time
It would be ideal if the ball zipped into your hands at the frame you created as a target every time. In the real world, this won't always be the case - you must be prepared to catch the snap no matter where it comes in. Your first job is to make the catch and get the ball down on the "tee". As you do:
1. Use one smooth motion in placing the ball on the "tee"
2. Turn the ball so that the laces are facing straight at the goal post while you are bringing the ball down
3. In the event the laces aren't pointed correctly, use your front hand to rotate the ball slightly to the proper position as the ball is being placed
4. Place the index finger of your back hand lightly on the top point of the ball to balance it at the correct position for the kicker to strike
Next, put your back hand on the center of the "tee" and extend your front hand and arm toward the center. This front arm and hand, palm down, is the top portion of the center's target and should be even with the middle of your chest. Ask the kicker if he is ready to proceed. When he tells you he is:
1. Bring your other hand off the ground and form a complete target for the center's snap
2. Touch your thumbs together to catch the ball correctly
3. Be prepared for the snap to come at any time
It would be ideal if the ball zipped into your hands at the frame you created as a target every time. In the real world, this won't always be the case - you must be prepared to catch the snap no matter where it comes in. Your first job is to make the catch and get the ball down on the "tee". As you do:
1. Use one smooth motion in placing the ball on the "tee"
2. Turn the ball so that the laces are facing straight at the goal post while you are bringing the ball down
3. In the event the laces aren't pointed correctly, use your front hand to rotate the ball slightly to the proper position as the ball is being placed
4. Place the index finger of your back hand lightly on the top point of the ball to balance it at the correct position for the kicker to strike
Monday, September 30, 2013
Special Teams: Placekicking for Centers (continued)
Once in position, you'll want to reach out and make sure the laces of the ball are rotated to the outside of your snapping hand. The laces should be rotated down so that they are just past the center point.
You want to grip the ball as you would if you were a QB preparing to throw a forward pass. Without a proper grip, you will find you don't have the accuracy or velocity you need for a successful snap.
Keep -
1. Three out of four fingers of the snapping hand on or over the laces of the ball
2. Your index finger near the tip of the ball - off the laces and across the seam
3. Your middle and third finger across the laces. The fingertips should be on the surface of the ball, not the laces.
4. The little finger on the laces of the ball
5. The most pressure between the ball and passing hand just in front of the center point on the front of the ball
Your grip may need tweaks based on the size of your hand.
At this point, your other hand should be placed on top of the ball and you should be prepared to snap it. Look back through your legs to the holder. His hands are always your target. When both of his hands are extended and ready, you know he is prepared for the snap.
As you snap the ball, follow-through with both hands. The fingers of both hands should end up pointing directly at the holder's hands. On a good follow-through, you'll feel your body shift slightly back toward the holder and kicker.
You want to grip the ball as you would if you were a QB preparing to throw a forward pass. Without a proper grip, you will find you don't have the accuracy or velocity you need for a successful snap.
Keep -
1. Three out of four fingers of the snapping hand on or over the laces of the ball
2. Your index finger near the tip of the ball - off the laces and across the seam
3. Your middle and third finger across the laces. The fingertips should be on the surface of the ball, not the laces.
4. The little finger on the laces of the ball
5. The most pressure between the ball and passing hand just in front of the center point on the front of the ball
Your grip may need tweaks based on the size of your hand.
At this point, your other hand should be placed on top of the ball and you should be prepared to snap it. Look back through your legs to the holder. His hands are always your target. When both of his hands are extended and ready, you know he is prepared for the snap.
As you snap the ball, follow-through with both hands. The fingers of both hands should end up pointing directly at the holder's hands. On a good follow-through, you'll feel your body shift slightly back toward the holder and kicker.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Special Teams - Placekicking for Centers
Every placekicker in football knows that in order to have success, he must work very closely with two other members of the team. The play starts with the center, moves to the holder, and culminates with the kicker. Improper technique by any of the three can result in a failed kick attempt. As a placekicker, it's important you understand the role the center and holder play.
Since the ball originates at the center, that's where we'll start our analysis. The first thing the center must do is position his body correctly to make the snap to the holder who is seven yards back. The snap will be made primarily with one hand - the other will act as a guide.
The center must consider the snap as a pass thrown back between his legs. In order to get this passing motion down, its important that the center make certain the ball is in front of him when he gets into his stance.
The stance should feature:
1. Feet shoulder-width apart
2. Feet even with each other, or, if more comfortable, the snapping hand side's foot may be slightly behind the other
3. Square shoulders
4. Hips and shoulders even
Hip height controls the height of the snap - high hips tend to snap high, low hips tend to snap low.
Next time we'll get into the center's grip and snap!
Since the ball originates at the center, that's where we'll start our analysis. The first thing the center must do is position his body correctly to make the snap to the holder who is seven yards back. The snap will be made primarily with one hand - the other will act as a guide.
The center must consider the snap as a pass thrown back between his legs. In order to get this passing motion down, its important that the center make certain the ball is in front of him when he gets into his stance.
The stance should feature:
1. Feet shoulder-width apart
2. Feet even with each other, or, if more comfortable, the snapping hand side's foot may be slightly behind the other
3. Square shoulders
4. Hips and shoulders even
Hip height controls the height of the snap - high hips tend to snap high, low hips tend to snap low.
Next time we'll get into the center's grip and snap!
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Special Teams: Introducing the Ball
When you feel you have your setup, stance, approach, and kicking motion down to a single, controlled process, it is time to introduce the ball to the equation. One thing that will help you concentrate on the kick while you're learning is to eliminate the goal post from your mind (and your practice!) and focus completely on kicking the ball in a straight line.
To practice kicking without a goal post:
1. Practice on a sideline
2. Make the placement spot at a point where a yard line meets the sideline
3. Take your steps and setup properly
4. Have a coach or fellow kicker place the ball on the placement spot for you
5. Make certain the laces of the ball are pointing straight down the sideline
6. Kick the ball in a straight line directly down the sideline
Your goal should be to kick with a natural motion. As we're focusing on accuracy for now, there's no need for a center. Try not to overkick - you're not after distance yet. By kicking the ball down the sideline, you'll be able to quickly tell if you're hooking or pushing the ball as you kick. If you find the ball is veering excessively from the sideline, repeat earlier steps in the process to make sure your approach and follow-through are sound.
To practice kicking without a goal post:
1. Practice on a sideline
2. Make the placement spot at a point where a yard line meets the sideline
3. Take your steps and setup properly
4. Have a coach or fellow kicker place the ball on the placement spot for you
5. Make certain the laces of the ball are pointing straight down the sideline
6. Kick the ball in a straight line directly down the sideline
Your goal should be to kick with a natural motion. As we're focusing on accuracy for now, there's no need for a center. Try not to overkick - you're not after distance yet. By kicking the ball down the sideline, you'll be able to quickly tell if you're hooking or pushing the ball as you kick. If you find the ball is veering excessively from the sideline, repeat earlier steps in the process to make sure your approach and follow-through are sound.
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