Good for 3: Punting

Site design by Juith Meyers.

When to start the take-off
Take the step after the ball is caught. Quickly walk through the punt form. If you move too fast, you will not be able to position the ball properly before taking the final step.

DO NOT look at the line of scrimmage after you catch the ball. There will not be enough time to look at the line of scrimmage to determine if the rushers are coming hard and still concentrate on the punt form. ASSUME the defense is coming hard.

COMMON ERROR
Glancing at the line of scrimmage after you receive the ball, causing precious tenths of seconds to be lost.

Proper stride length
Your stride must be close to a normal walking stride. Do not over-stride. A longer stride does not translate into a longer punt. The power comes from both leg strength and leg whip.

The first step, 4” to 6” long, is a starter step.
The second step is a little longer, more like a walking step.
The third step is the plant step and is the longest. Do not overstride or you will not be able to explode into the ball.

Flex your knees during the strides. Do not lock your knees as when walking. At the end of the punt, you will have to explode into the ball and raise your body off the ground, which will not be possible if your left knee is not flexed.

COMMON ERROR
Over-striding into the punt. This reduces the power into the ball and causes the upper body to the straighten up, weakening the form.

Take off towards the ball
Step towards the line of scrimmage in a straight line with the first, second and third steps.

COMMON ERROR
Spreading the legs too far apart.
Taking the second step too far to the right (towards the side of the punting foot). [See picture #11.]

Weak Snap
A weak snap places the ball to the left or right side of the body at the ankles or is snapped to the top of the helmet.

Weak low snap
If the ball is low, bend at your waist and knees to catch it. [See pictures 12 and 13.] Do not bend only at the waist to catch the ball (as in picture 14.)

COMMON ERROR
Bending only at the waist


#12	#13	#14

Weak side snap
If the ball is snapped to either side, slide to the right or to the left to catch the ball and keep it between you and the center. [See picture 15.] DO NOT reach or lean to catch the ball (as in picture 16). If you are forced to slide to the right or left to catch the ball, step straight upfield after you catch it. Do not turn and step back towards the center, unless you are directional punting to the opposite side.

COMMON ERROR
Keeping the feet in place, twisting and leaning with the body to reach for the ball (as in picture 16).
Not keeping the ball between you and the center.


#15	#16

Weak high snap.
A weak high snap is above the head where you must leave the ground to catch it. Other than a perfect snap, a high snap causes the least form problems. Bring the ball down quickly and complete the punt form.

COMMON ERROR
Jumping to catch the ball when there is no need to.