Punting Technique Review
Paul Assad
Article posted on 6/2/2009

These are some of the Punting concepts considered "Hybrid" new in contrast to the things we were

doing even just 10 years ago. I hope you enjoy it and it makes sense and understand why we get so

excited at Pro College Football when it comes to taking things to "the next level." I'll use some

training Illustration views from some of my most recent pupils that are excelling.

I like to think that Punting, Kicking and Long Snapping has evolved much like other position skills.

I like to emphasize universal movement concepts like speed, balance and timing to the skill positions

and create positive self talk in "do terms".

Most players are shocked how much weight distribution on their steps has to do with their ability to

control and set up great punts. I am always throwing out little hints telling players to "Remember to be

loose so you're quick with SOFT HANDS and "STAY UP" so you can move well and avoid trouble."

Punting Assignment: Keep things Simple. Your job is to CATCH the ball and get it down-field for the

cover team to do their job.

1. Ready Position to Catch the Deep Snap: I like to tell player to have their weight evenly so they

are able to move if they get a bad snap.distributed most Pro Punters are 15 yards back - college 9-15

depending on their scheme set up and high school I see lots of 12 yards off the line of scrimmage

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See here Ken Parrish, Eagles at the Pro College Football Free Agent Pro

Camp

2. Ball Right - I like to think that great punters have great hands and timing and they can absorb the

momentum of the snap, find the laces, set the ball how they like with control and fluency and get moving

into the walking process.

src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V5yTNRkKQ7M/SiW6rDkzTlI/AAAAAAAABpI/8iksoNC4YQM/s200/adam+grassele+catch+

the+ball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342881781801766482" border="0" />

Seen here Adam Graessle, Packers 2009

3. Get the Ball Set: I like to tell players "As you catch the ball keep - Extend it out immediately

get the ball way out in front of you"... I like 2 two hands on the ball because it seems to help control

ball quieting down the noise in motion and also the timing of footwork relating 2 hands to 1 hand as the

player brings everything to the set position I like to call "The Front but some guys can hold it steady

with 1 hand".

src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V5yTNRkKQ7M/SiW4Z_rg56I/AAAAAAAABpA/nlm4USqQUVw/s200/thomas+morstead+ball

+set.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342879289675147170" border="0" />

Seen here Thomas Morstead, Saints 5th Round Pick Right illustrates getting

the ball out toward his target directional right at Training sessions with Paul Assad

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4. Auto Pilot: I like players to catch the ball and get moving forward automatically off muscle

memory so they repeat the same movements. Players might try to transition through this first step

gaining some momentum toward the plant.

5. Gain Momentum on your first Step - Keep the ball on your hip you'll want to hang on longer

if it's low. Your stop should be in the direction of your target. Two hands on the ball will become one

as your move through the first step. I like to think or tell players to make sure their steps are light

so they can easily transition weight into the plant or what I like to think of as their front side

"Axis".

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Notice this player (Adam Graessle, Packers seen here) has 2 hands on the

ball at the same time as his first of 2 steps touches.

Note: Big Red Flag Here.....Stalling or hesitation on this first step may cause problems in weight

distribution with upsets the entire sequence of steps and set up and motion.

Ball Set Angle: I and most coaches refer to the front of the football as the "NOSE". We think we can

drive the ball long and match the foot best if the Punters toe on his kicking foot is pointed down thru

impact - when the nose of the football is pointed down and inward and sometimes short field punting we

will lift the nose up to purposely kick the ball of the ball and make it spiral left and shorten the

punt to keep it from going into the endzone on the bounce. This is also referred to as "Pooch Punting".

Also, something different about we I do is move the ball slightly outward of the knee because I

beleive at this time we can turn over more punts.

src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V5yTNRkKQ7M/SiW-

HXhB1wI/AAAAAAAABpg/mmgpEIAm6WE/s200/Parrish+Ball+Set+Nose+Downard+Drive+Punt.jpg" alt=""

id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342885566725871362" border="0" />

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PKeGrZI/AAAAAAAABpo/sNJdxhsYtlQ/s200/Parrish+Ball+Set+Pooch+Turning+Nose+Upward.jpg" alt=""

id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342885700662898066" border="0" />

Ball Set Illustrations by Ken Parrish, Eagles 2009 Nose Down Left drive the

long ball and Nose Up Right for Pooch Punting

Hint: The ball flight is most often an indicator of what was happening thru the punting process and

problem solving can vary from ball set release timing and ball nose angle to toe up / toe down on the

punter etc.

src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_V5yTNRkKQ7M/SiXAYLnunzI/AAAAAAAABpw/BXrPDcgHKTc/s200/Parrish+Ball+Table+a

nd+Knee+Position.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342888054613778226" border="0" />

Leg Action: Players have been taught for so long to "Leg Lock" or extend at the START of impact. I

am much much different then other coaching schools in this area. I believe and emphasize that they can

get more speed and pressure into the ball by establishing the knee up and over the ball and kicking

thru extending as the ball actually LEAVES not Starts on the foot.

4. Set and Kick Thru the Ball: Everything - should STOP at this point so you need balance -

You will be holding the ball until this point anticipating how it feels when your hips are way back so

you can sit back or "Saddle" to get your kicking leg up quickly and thru the ball while holding firm to

your upper body position. The Swing lane is straight thru the ball upward.

src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_V5yTNRkKQ7M/SiWwMJun6fI/AAAAAAAABoA/ntG_vFMCZ8U/s200/reggie+hodges+follow

+thru.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342870255761353202" border="0" />

Seen here is Reggie Hodges, Jets Punter 2009 Season illustrating the kick

thru the ball and holding his position

Follow thru Position: Again, I am so much different then other coaches, right or wrong I believe that

holding positions rather then flying around off the ground will assist greater control of the leg action

and able the player to acclerate thru impact.

If at that time as the motion is complete, the ball is gone and the moment lifts the player off the

ground that is fine and indicates he was really coming thru it well.

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Glenn Pakulak, Saints 2009 Punter illustrates holding position and swing

lanes as momentum lifts him upward.

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