How to Improve Punting in Football

Punting the football is normally one of the most overlooked aspects of the game. The punter is rarely respected by his teammates or the fans because he does not engage in contact or physical play with the opponent. His primary job is to come on the field when his offensive teammates have failed to move the ball. His job is to kick the ball downfield and send the opponent as far away from his team's goalline as possible. While bigger, stronger and more physical teammates may give him a hard time, his coaches will respect him if he can do his job consistently.

Instructions

1. Work hard in practice to develop hang time on your punts. Ultimately, this is more important than great distance because having the ability to kick the ball high in the air will allow members of the punt-coverage team to get downfield and make a play on the punt returner and prevent him from making a signficant return. A long punt can be great, but if it is not high enough it can also be dangerous because the punt returner will be able to catch it and get two or three strides upfield before any tackler is within range.

2. Aim for the corners of the field when punting from around midfield. This is known as the "coffin corner" because the punt is designed to go out of bounds--and out of play--inside your opponent's 10-yard line. An accomplished punter can knock this punt out of bounds inside the 5-yard line. A punter can improve in this area by spending 15 minutes a day in practice just going for the corners. Within a short period of time, the punter will gain a "feel" for punting the ball to the corners and become quite accomplished at this part of the game.

3. By extending the foot and pointing the toe, the punter is exhibiting outstanding form and should get maximum distance and height. Punting is all about timing. The center must snap the ball to the punter, the offensive line must protect the punter for at least 3 seconds, the punter must catch the ball and then drop it so his punt will be long, high and difficult to return. This is done through repetition in practice.

4. Learn how to put backspin on the ball. While the coffin corner mentioned in Step 2 is effective, most punters try to deaden the ball and have it come to a stop inside the opponent's 5-yard line. This is done by making sure the foot is extended and the toe is pointed. A subtle stopping motion is needed on the follow through in order to get the ball spinning so it will stop shortly after impact with the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch as much videotape as possible of yourself and other punters. Look for mistakes in your technique and try to see what other punters are doing, both right and wrong. By knowing as much about your job as possible, you will have an opportunity to apply those lessons and excel.