What is punting in football? Punting in football is a specialized kick made by a player (the punter) to send the ball as far downfield as possible to the opposing team. It’s typically done on fourth down when a team is too far from the opponent’s goal to attempt a field goal and too far to get a first down. It’s a strategic play to gain territory.
This guide is your easy punting guide to mastering the art of the punt. If you’ve ever watched a football game and wondered how players send that oval ball soaring through the air, you’re in the right place. We’ll break down the entire process, from the basics of football kicking to the finer points of punting mechanics, making punting for dummies an achievable goal. We’ll cover everything you need to know about how to punt a football properly.
Getting Started: The Fundamentals of Football Kicking
Before we dive deep into punting, it’s essential to grasp some core principles of football kicking. A solid foundation in basic kicking will make learning to punt much smoother.
The Aim of the Punt
The primary goal of a punt is to maximize the distance the ball travels downfield. This forces the opposing team to start their offensive drive from further away from your end zone. A good punt can significantly change the field position and momentum of the game. Secondary goals include accuracy (pinning the ball near the opponent’s goal line) and avoiding a “block” (where the opposing team touches the ball before it travels a certain distance).
Essential Equipment
- A Football: Regulation size and weight is best. The dimpled surface and oval shape are key to a successful punt.
- Cleats: Proper footwear with cleats will provide the necessary grip on the field.
- A Holder (Optional, for practice): While punters often drop kick the ball themselves, a holder can be helpful for beginners to get a feel for the timing.
The Drop Kick vs. The Punt
It’s important to distinguish between a drop kick and a punt. In a punt, the ball is dropped from the hands and kicked before it hits the ground. In a drop kick, the ball is dropped and kicked immediately after it bounces off the ground. For punting, we are focusing on the former: kicking the ball in the air.
Mastering the Punt: Step-by-Step Guide
This section breaks down the process of punting into manageable steps. We’ll cover the key elements of punting technique and punting mechanics.
Step 1: The Stance and Setup
Your stance is crucial for a balanced and powerful punt.
The Approach
- Start Position: Begin about 5-7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The exact distance can vary based on player preference and game situation.
- Alignment: Stand with your body facing forward, towards the direction you want to punt. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, with your kicking foot slightly behind your non-kicking foot. This creates a stable base.
- Ball Position: Hold the football with both hands. For right-footed punters, the ball should be held in front of your body, slightly to your left. For left-footed punters, it will be slightly to your right. The laces of the ball should ideally be facing away from you, but this is less critical than other aspects.
The Three-Step Approach
Most punters use a three-step approach before the punt. This allows for momentum and a smooth swing.
- Step 1 (The “Ready” Step): Take a small step forward with your non-kicking foot.
- Step 2 (The “Plant” Step): Bring your kicking foot forward to plant it firmly in the ground, about shoulder-width apart from your non-kicking foot. Your body should be slightly coiled, ready to unleash power.
- Step 3 (The “Stride” Step): This is the final step, where you step into the punt with your kicking leg.
Step 2: The Ball Drop
This is arguably the most critical and often the most challenging part of punting for beginners. A consistent and controlled drop is key to a good punt.
Holding the Ball
- Grip: Hold the ball firmly but not rigidly with both hands. Your thumbs should be on the laces or the side of the ball, providing control. Your fingers should be wrapped around the ball.
- Angle: The ball should be held slightly angled forward, with the nose of the ball pointing slightly down. This helps it travel in the desired direction. Avoid holding the ball perfectly straight up and down.
- Release Point: The ball should be released from a consistent height, around waist to chest level.
The Drop Mechanics
- Smoothness: The drop should be smooth and controlled, not a toss. Imagine letting the ball slide out of your hands.
- Release: As you take your plant step, begin to simultaneously drop the ball. The ball should be released slightly in front of your body, in line with your kicking foot.
- Consistency: Practice this motion repeatedly until it becomes second nature. The goal is to have the ball consistently fall into the sweet spot of your foot.
Step 3: The Kick
This is where all your preparation comes together. Proper punting form is essential for power and accuracy.
Approaching the Ball
- Eye on the Ball: Keep your eyes locked on the ball throughout the entire drop and kick. This is paramount.
- Body Alignment: As you step into the kick, your body should be facing the target. Your shoulders should be square to the kicking direction.
The Swing
- Leg Swing: Bring your kicking leg up in a smooth, fluid motion. Think of it like kicking a soccer ball, but with a more controlled, upward arc.
- Contact Point: The sweet spot on your foot for punting is the instep (the top of your foot, where your laces are). Aim to make contact with the ball squarely on this part of your foot.
- Follow-Through: A strong follow-through is vital. After contact, your kicking leg should continue its upward and forward motion, pointing towards your target. This ensures maximum power and a clean trajectory.
Aiming
- Where to Look: Look at the ball as it drops, and then aim to hit it where you want it to go. Your eyes guide the kick.
- Target: Visualize where you want the ball to land.
Step 4: Follow-Through and Recovery
The punt isn’t over once the ball is kicked. A proper follow-through and recovery contribute to a successful play.
The Follow-Through
- Continue Motion: As mentioned, let your kicking leg swing through the ball naturally. Your leg should extend towards your target.
- Body Balance: Maintain balance throughout the swing. Avoid over-reaching or losing your footing.
Recovery
- Balance: After the kick, focus on regaining your balance. You want to be in a position to move if necessary, though your primary job is done.
- Avoid Twisting: Don’t twist your body excessively after the kick. This can lead to errant punts and potential injury.
Key Punting Advice for Beginners
Here’s some specific punting advice to help you improve quickly. These beginner punting tips will accelerate your learning.
- Practice the Drop: Seriously, this is the most important skill to develop first. Practice dropping the ball hundreds of times without even kicking it.
- Keep Your Eye on the Ball: It’s a cliché for a reason. If you look up too soon, your punt will suffer.
- Consistent Contact: Aim for the same spot on your foot and the ball every time.
- Smoothness Over Power (Initially): Focus on getting the mechanics right first. Power will come with practice and improved technique.
- Work on Your Plant Foot: A stable plant foot is the foundation for a powerful kick. Ensure it’s planted firmly and correctly.
- Visualize Success: Imagine the perfect punt before you take your steps.
Developing Punting Mechanics: Drills and Exercises
To truly excel at punting, consistent practice with targeted drills is key. These punting drills will hone your skills.
Drill 1: The Drop Drill
- Objective: To develop a consistent and controlled ball drop.
- How to do it: Stand in your punting stance. Practice the three-step approach and the ball drop without kicking. Focus on the smooth release from your hands. Repeat this dozens of times. Try to make the ball land in the same spot each time.
- Progression: Once you can consistently drop the ball in a small area, start placing your plant foot where the ball lands.
Drill 2: The “Chip” Punt
- Objective: To focus on clean contact and a short follow-through.
- How to do it: From your punting stance, take a very short approach (maybe just a step or two). Focus on making solid contact with the ball using your instep. Don’t worry about distance; aim for a clean, high trajectory.
- Progression: Gradually increase your approach steps as you feel more comfortable.
Drill 3: Target Punting
- Objective: To improve accuracy and distance control.
- How to do it: Set up cones or markers on the field at various distances and directions. Aim to punt the ball into or near these targets.
- Progression: Start with larger targets and shorter distances, then make them smaller and further away. Try to punt to specific areas of the field (e.g., sideline, middle).
Drill 4: The “Coffin Corner” Punt
- Objective: To practice pinning the ball deep in the opponent’s territory, near the sideline.
- How to do it: Aim to punt the ball so it lands and rolls out of bounds as close to the opponent’s goal line as possible without going into the end zone (which results in a touchback). This requires a combination of power and directional control.
- Progression: Focus on hitting the sideline with your punt.
Drill 5: Self-Held Punt (for advanced beginners)
- Objective: To simulate game conditions without a holder.
- How to do it: Hold the ball yourself with one hand, then drop it and kick it with the other. This requires significant coordination.
- Progression: Once you’re comfortable, start incorporating the three-step approach.
Understanding Punting Form: Common Mistakes and Corrections
Even with the best intentions, beginners often make common mistakes. Here’s how to identify and fix them.
Mistake 1: Looking Up Too Soon
- Why it happens: Nerves, excitement, or a desire to see the punt’s trajectory.
- Correction: Consciously tell yourself to keep your eyes on the ball until contact. Practice the “Drop Drill” to build this habit.
Mistake 2: Inconsistent Ball Drop
- Why it happens: Lack of control in the hands, dropping the ball too high or too low, or dropping it too far forward or backward.
- Correction: Focus on the smooth, controlled release from your hands. Practice the drop motion repeatedly until you can do it consistently without thinking.
Mistake 3: Poor Plant Foot Placement
- Why it happens: Not stepping far enough into the kick, or planting the foot too close to the line of scrimmage.
- Correction: Ensure your plant foot is shoulder-width apart from your kicking foot as you make contact. Your plant foot should be slightly ahead of your kicking foot’s stride.
Mistake 4: Arm Swing Too Wild
- Why it happens: Trying to generate too much power through the arms instead of the legs.
- Correction: Keep your arms balanced. They should swing naturally to help with body rotation and balance, not be the primary source of power.
Mistake 5: Hitting the Ball with the Wrong Part of the Foot
- Why it happens: Not coordinating the leg swing and ball drop correctly, or trying to kick with the toe.
- Correction: Aim to make contact with the instep (where the laces are). This provides the best surface for a clean punt.
Punting Mechanics: The Physics of the Kick
While you don’t need to be a physicist to punt, a basic grasp of the mechanics helps.
- Leverage: Your leg acts as a lever. The longer your swing and the more power you generate from your hips and core, the more force you can transfer to the ball.
- Angle of Attack: The angle at which your foot strikes the ball influences the trajectory. For distance punts, an upward angle is generally preferred.
- Spin: A good punt will have a slight spiral. This helps the ball travel straighter and further through the air. This is achieved through consistent contact with the laces.
Practice Schedule and Progression
Consistency is key for any skill development, and punting is no exception.
Week 1-2: Foundation
- Focus: Ball drop consistency, basic stance, and approach steps.
- Drills: Drop Drill, Chip Punt (short approach).
- Frequency: 3-4 times per week, 15-20 minutes each session.
Week 3-4: Technique Refinement
- Focus: Integrating the three-step approach with the drop and kick. Improving contact point.
- Drills: Chip Punt (increasing steps), Target Punting (short distances).
- Frequency: 3-4 times per week, 20-25 minutes each session.
Month 2 Onwards: Power and Accuracy
- Focus: Increasing distance, improving accuracy, developing directional punting.
- Drills: All previous drills, Target Punting (longer distances), Coffin Corner Punt.
- Frequency: 3-4 times per week, 25-30 minutes each session.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions for those learning to punt.
Q1: How do I hold the football for punting?
You should hold the football with both hands, about waist to chest height, with the laces facing away from you and the nose of the ball angled slightly downward. The ball should be released in front of your body, in line with your kicking foot.
Q2: What part of my foot should I use to punt?
The best part of your foot to use for punting is the instep – the top of your foot where your laces are. This provides a large, flat surface for consistent contact.
Q3: How far should I stand from the line of scrimmage?
Most punters stand about 5-7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. This distance can be adjusted based on your comfort and the specific play.
Q4: My punts are going too low. What am I doing wrong?
This often happens if you’re not dropping the ball high enough, or if you’re not following through with your leg swing. Try dropping the ball slightly higher and ensure your kicking leg swings upward and through the ball.
Q5: How can I get more distance on my punts?
More distance comes from improving your overall mechanics: a smooth drop, a strong three-step approach, solid contact with the instep, and a full follow-through. Also, increasing leg strength through general fitness will help.
Q6: Is it okay to practice punting without a holder?
Yes, for beginners, practicing the ball drop without kicking is essential. Once you’re comfortable dropping the ball consistently, you can progress to kicking it yourself. A holder is beneficial for game-like situations but not mandatory for initial learning.
Q7: How do I avoid punting the ball with my toe?
This is usually a result of not keeping your eye on the ball or an incomplete leg swing. Focus on keeping your ankle locked and your toes pointed slightly upward, making contact with the top of your foot.
Conclusion: Your Journey to Becoming a Punter
Punting a football might seem daunting at first, but with this easy punting guide, you have the steps to begin. Remember that every great punter started as a beginner. Focus on the fundamentals: the stance, the drop, the approach, and the follow-through. Be patient with yourself, practice consistently, and celebrate small victories. By dedicating time to these punting drills and paying attention to your punting technique, you’ll be on your way to sending those balls soaring. Good luck with your football kicking journey!