Hitting the sweet spot kicking on an american football

Kicking the football on the sweet spot requires physical and mental routines that enable a kicker/punter to achieve perfection again and again. First of all, there are technical points that are very important. A pre-kick routine must be performed on every kick from how you prepare on the sideline, your steps onto the field, alignment, stance, steps, rhythm, leg, foot and body position, leg swing and contact point with the ball. To hit the sweet spot all the time, your global technique has to remain the same.

But why is it so difficult to hit it over and over? A lot of practice is needed to make the movement an automatism (muscle memory). Physically, your technique must be sound from your first step to your follow-through. There are many studies out in the world. The one that I follow is the need of three elements in developing into a great kicker. !.You must have a level of ability. It doesn’t have to be great ability. Understand you strengths and weaknesses and make sure you get the most of your god given talents. The second area needed to be successful is a mentor that providing sound techniques helping you to measure your performance. The third area for success is the amount of practice you want to put into your kicking/punting. Some of you may have read studies that one becomes world class after about 10,000 hrs of practice. The more you practice the better you will get. Studies have shown people that put in 1,000 hrs reach a certain level whereas others that put in 5000 hrs reach a higher level and those that put in the 10,000 hrs reach world class levels. These three elements lead to success. Maybe, you can become a NFL kicker, but you have to understand that you have to start building now on the right basis to progress to these standards.

When the movement becomes second nature, the emotions come along to stabilize the whole kicking motion or unfortunately, destabilize it. Being confident staying in the moment and not worrying about success or failure will help achieve more consistent results. Thinking about being a hero or about negative results will both detract kicking effectiveness.

To be able to succeed under pressure requires the proper control of your feelings. Being anxious is a lack of a common need: confidence. A lack of confidence could be catastrophic while trying any length field goal. It is important to be able to remain relaxed in pressure situations. With anxiety comes stiffness. Stiffness prohibits your kicking motion. This results in inconsistent contact with the ball. Most kicks are timing sensitive and any variations to your timing will result in inconsistencies. Some examples would be planting your foot too close or too far from the ball, too much or too little backswing, losing your swing plane to the ball, not having your leg locked or your eyes looking up too early through your kick. It is important to remain in the present moment.

Of course, you may learn how to kick by yourself, but it is important to learn from a professional coach. I have helped develop some of the best kickers and punters in Canada. The techniques are always changing. Maximize your potential. There are kicking and punting camps all around North America. Choose one to learn and improve your performance kicking an American football all the time on the sweet spot. Contact Denis Boisclair at www.denisboisclair.com or Steve Wolf at http://www.puntkick.com/ for individual and team and improvement camps.