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
Showing posts with label kick approach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kick approach. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Special Teams - Alignment and The Kick
Before you get into your kicking motion, it's important you learn how to properly align yourself to the ball's placement spot. Place a kicking tee, cup, or a piece of tape on the ground. In your mind, make this the spot where the ball will be placed for your kick.
Once your spot is established, it becomes a case of stepping up and getting in proper position to make the kick. To do so, you need to:
1. Place your plant foot so that the instep of the foot is next to the placement spot
2. Place your kicking foot directly behind the placement spot
3. Beginning with your kicking foot, take three normal steps straight backward from the placement spot
4. Take two steps sideways with your plant foot at a right angle
5. Turn and face the placement spot and get into your proper stance
As you're starting out, you may find that you're not stepping straight back from the placement spot. One easy way to correct this error is to put the placement spot on a marked sideline on the field and concentrate on stepping back straight down the line.
As you approach the ball for your kick, remember that your plant foot should come down even with and six inches outside the placement spot with the toe pointed the same direction as the kicking spot. This is easier to practice if you're working on the sideline.
The power for your kick should start with your hips moving forward and your kicking leg coming forward in a full arch. It's important that the knee of the kicking leg precedes the foot toward the placement spot. The knee of the kicking leg should be bent slightly.
The position of the kicking foot is vitally important. You should have your toe pointed down and your ankle locked and stable. The toe of your kicking foot will pass just outside the placement spot. The center of the inside of the kicking foot should pass directly over the center of the placement spot. The top inside of the center of the kicking foot is the actual part of the foot we want to make contact with the ball.
As a kicker, you'll come to learn that your follow-through will be an excellent indication of how the kick will turn out. When your kicking foot moves over the placement spot, it's important that your entire body move straight at the target.
Remember - as your kicking foot moves over the placement spot:
1. Your body should be balanced
2. Your head must be down
3. Your eyes must stay focused on the placement spot
4. Your hips need to lead the way to the target
5. Your shoulders should precede your feet throughout the kicking motion
Once your spot is established, it becomes a case of stepping up and getting in proper position to make the kick. To do so, you need to:
1. Place your plant foot so that the instep of the foot is next to the placement spot
2. Place your kicking foot directly behind the placement spot
3. Beginning with your kicking foot, take three normal steps straight backward from the placement spot
4. Take two steps sideways with your plant foot at a right angle
5. Turn and face the placement spot and get into your proper stance
As you're starting out, you may find that you're not stepping straight back from the placement spot. One easy way to correct this error is to put the placement spot on a marked sideline on the field and concentrate on stepping back straight down the line.
As you approach the ball for your kick, remember that your plant foot should come down even with and six inches outside the placement spot with the toe pointed the same direction as the kicking spot. This is easier to practice if you're working on the sideline.
The power for your kick should start with your hips moving forward and your kicking leg coming forward in a full arch. It's important that the knee of the kicking leg precedes the foot toward the placement spot. The knee of the kicking leg should be bent slightly.
The position of the kicking foot is vitally important. You should have your toe pointed down and your ankle locked and stable. The toe of your kicking foot will pass just outside the placement spot. The center of the inside of the kicking foot should pass directly over the center of the placement spot. The top inside of the center of the kicking foot is the actual part of the foot we want to make contact with the ball.
As a kicker, you'll come to learn that your follow-through will be an excellent indication of how the kick will turn out. When your kicking foot moves over the placement spot, it's important that your entire body move straight at the target.
Remember - as your kicking foot moves over the placement spot:
1. Your body should be balanced
2. Your head must be down
3. Your eyes must stay focused on the placement spot
4. Your hips need to lead the way to the target
5. Your shoulders should precede your feet throughout the kicking motion
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Special Teams - Approaching the Ball
Your initial move toward the ball's placement spot should start with a slight forward lean of your shoulders. Then:
1. Take a short momentum step forward with your plant foot
2. Take a normal forward step with the kicking foot
3. Next, take a longer second step with the plant foot
Your second plant foot step should bring the foot even with and six inches outside the spot where the ball will be spotted for the kick.
In this position, the kicker has room and is in position to make proper contact with the ball.
When you're first working on getting your initial steps down, you require neither tee nor ball. It's better to use a piece of tape as your placement spot. You'll soon feel that your steps are the correct length and that you are ending in the proper position to make your kick with your head down and eyes focused on the placement spot.
1. Take a short momentum step forward with your plant foot
2. Take a normal forward step with the kicking foot
3. Next, take a longer second step with the plant foot
Your second plant foot step should bring the foot even with and six inches outside the spot where the ball will be spotted for the kick.
In this position, the kicker has room and is in position to make proper contact with the ball.
When you're first working on getting your initial steps down, you require neither tee nor ball. It's better to use a piece of tape as your placement spot. You'll soon feel that your steps are the correct length and that you are ending in the proper position to make your kick with your head down and eyes focused on the placement spot.
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