Site design by Judith Meyers

All contents Copyright © 1999, George Jakowenko.
 

Hold the ball through the strides
Hold the ball with both hands after you catch it, at the first and second steps  [See picture 30.]  As your left leg moves forward to take the third step with your left foot, your left hand drops away from the ball and moves just past your left leg.  [See pictures 31 and 32.]  Hold your left hand outwards and to the left for balance.  As your right leg comes up to punt the ball, your right hand comes down and lays the ball onto your foot. 

COMMON ERRORS

• Holding the ball with two hands as you punt it.
• Throwing the ball up in the air with two hands and then punting it.

#28	#29	#30	#31	#32

Extend the ball outwards at the approach 
The goal is to place the ball on your foot so your foot makes contact with the sweet spot of the ball.  [See picture 33a.]  As an exercise, stand straight up and down, do not bend at your waist.  [See picture 33b.]  Hold the ball straight out in front of you--about waist high--and bend your elbows a few inches.  Raise your punting leg as high as you can.  Notice that the ball meets your shin.  Now bend at your waist and straighten your elbows; you will notice that the ball moves down your leg and closer to your foot.  [See picture 34.]  If you do not bend properly, you will have to throw the ball forward so it meets your foot.
 

#33a	#33b	#34

Ball angle and tilt of the drop 
Drop the ball parallel to the ground and angled to the left, about 2 inches from center.  [See picture 35.] 

COMMON ERROR
Pushing the point down when you hold the ball using the top-hold technique. 
Letting the ball go with the thumb first, causing it to “roll off” the hand because you did not release the ball evenly with fingers and thumb in the under reach-hold.

#35