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.

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!

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.