Lou Groza Kicking Award winner - Jonathan Ruffin

The kicker "toes the line" and confirms kicking foot, point of placement, and target are all in a direct line.

Objective

The placekicker develops visualization skills that he can use for every kick. He forms a vivid, positive, mental picture of the way he intends to kick the football. He needs to visualize this image in the exact way he would see it from his own eyes while actually performing the kick.

Progression

  1. The placekicker stands in the general area of the point of placement. He identifies his target so he can set the exact location where he wants the holder to spot the football.
  2. Once he determines both the target and the point of placement, he visualizes the football clearing the goalposts, sailing right down the middle between  the uprights and in a direct line with the two points of reference (target and point of placement).
  3. He steps backward, marking off his steps to determine his depth of alignment. This is where he “toes the line” and confirms that his kicking foot, point of placement, and target are all in a direct line. He again visualizes the football clearing the goal in direct line with his reference points.
  4. He takes two comfortable and controlled lateral steps to the side, pivoting to face the point of placement as he aligns in his stance. He again visualizes the football clearing the goalposts.
  5. He begins his approach to kick the football, imagining the time and action of the football being snapped.
  6. As he approaches the point of placement, he continues to visualize everything that would happen as if he were actually kicking the football in a game.
  7. When he simulates kicking the football, he visualizes the mechanics of his kick coordinated with the direction of the plant foot and the direction of the target.
  8. After he simulates kicking through the football and finishing on his plant foot, he reaches the confirmation point at which all of his mechanics come together to accomplish the goal of kicking the football. Here he develops the understanding of how his mechanics align with the flight of the football as it clears the uprights.

Tips From the Coach

  • The kicker simulates gamelike conditions throughout the kicking process.
  • He needs to develop this technique until it’s a habit.
  • He visualizes each kick going precisely toward the target and sees and feels his body in the exact position it needs to be in to execute a successful kick.
  • This kicking drill improve technique, develops kicking consistency, and increases confidence when kicking the football.

Excerpt from Football Kicking and Punting – with Ray Guy/Rick Sang – published by Human Kinetics Publishers – Foreword by John Madden

www.prokicker.com