How to Kick a Good Drop Punt in Football

The drop punt is one of the most overlooked talents in football. Fans and players take the punter for granted whenever the offense stalls and they need to move the ball 40 to 60 yards down field in a hurry. The punter is never the hero, but he is an essential member of any successful football team. Learning to drop punt is an art form, but you can pick up the basics pretty quickly.

Instructions

1. Hold the football with both hands at your stomach level with the nose of the ball pointing at you. Completely extend your hands so the ball is directly in front of you and cock the front tip of the ball so it turns slightly inward. Turn the ball so the laces are facing upward. This will help you kick a spiral ball like the pros.

2. Step forward with your kicking foot. Take long, graceful steps to build up the proper bodily momentum to boot the football. Take another step with your non-kicking foot.

3. Drop the football just as you pick up your kicking foot again. Do not force the ball downward. Rather, practice dropping the ball so it doesn't spin or turn and drops only using gravity.

4. Swing your kicking foot upward. Bend your foot so your leg and toes are at a flat 90-degree angle. This will allow you to make better contact with the ball. Straighten your non-kicking leg enough to jump upward a little bit.

5. Connect the top of your foot with the middle outside of the football. Follow through with your kick even after you kick the ball. These two details will help you kick a spiral drop punt just like the pros.