How to Block a Punt

When the opposing team is punting, you have the opportunity to block the kick and be a hero. Women will dig you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Athletic Socks
• Athletic Tapes
• Football Cleats
• Football Gear
• Football Helmets
• Football Uniforms
• Footballs
• Footballs

1. Line up on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage. If you get confused, look for the guys with the same uniform you're wearing.

2. Race toward the punter when the ball is snapped (you may have to get around a blocker or two).

3. Keep your eyes on the punter's kicking foot.

4. Extend both arms and slap the top of the punter's kicking foot as he goes through his kicking motion.

5. Pick up the batted ball and race toward the opposing end zone.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your hands close together and don't think about hitting the ball. It will be moving too fast for your eye to follow. Just try to slap the punter's shoe, and you'll take the ball right off his foot.
• To avoid a blocker, use your hands to knock down his hands. As he starts to extend his hands up to block you, hit his forearms and push them down as you power past him. If he can't get his hands on you, he can't block you.
• Do not leave your feet. If you're in the air, you might miss the ball and collide with the punter, which could earn your team a penalty.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 3/30/2006 Don't forget to plan your jump. If you you don't, it might result in a bad dive. If your dive is bad, you might end up with a penalty.

on 2/14/2006 When looking to block a punt, think about what your actions will do for your team. It's not about personal glory, it's about team advantage. If you hit the punter, it's more yards for the other team and a possible shift in momentum. Aim past the punter such that when you jump and lay yourself out you will land to the side of the punter, not on top of him/her. Make a mental line from where you are to a spot just to the side of the punter and try to land there. This will give you just as good of a chance to block the punt and will ensure that you don't get penalized, hurting your team.

on 2/2/2006 When kicking straight, take 4 steps back and no steps over, look at the angle your hips are facing. That is where the ball should go. Be quick and aim for the bottom line on the football, and sometimes put the ball on the ground for better practice.

on 1/30/2006 Lay a couple of tackling dummies on the ground just in front of where the punter will be kicking. Have your outside rushers practice laying out for the blocks and landing on the dummies. This gets kids over the fear of landing belly first on the ground. Do this drill every time before you go into punt block practice and you will notice the kids laying it all out every time!

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you stay fast, but belly it out a little bit so you don't run into the punter. Also, don't think about the pain of it, of course it's gonna hurt, but this is football! Take one for the team and get your name in the paper.