I am often surprised by how many really good kickers can't punt traditionally. Why? I think much of it has to do with fooling around with it and "failing" to make the kind of contact and results you get when you placekick. The mechanics aren't that much different, but you do have the added issue of hitting a moving target instead of a stationary one. Why practice punting? • You're already the kicker... you're the most likely to become the starting punter. • You already have most of the mechanics you need. • If you're not the starting punter, you are the obvious choice to be the back-up. • Why wouldn't you? Wouldn't you like to be an even bigger part of the game? • It ain't hard to do — practice kicking and punt back through the posts. • You won't blow your leg out. Just be purposeful about each skill. • Remember, job #1 is "catch the ball", then do what comes naturally. • CREATE YOUR OWN CONFIDENCE and GO FOR IT! So here are the basics to get you on the right path.

Currently, I'm helping one of my players jump into the NCAA Portal with the intent of coming out "golden" on the other side. As you've heard me discuss, this process is not for the feint of heart, nor the naive. Half of all players never play in any serious way again after leaving their school. AJ is an excellent snapper. He has quality game experience playing at the D3 level. He loves the college he's at, but things have changed and it has become unaffordable to he and his family (and he yearns to play at a step above) — not D2, but a higher level of D3. He doesn't want to travel too far, because he'd like his parents to see him play often. AND there's the rub. To satisfy your own football goals, you NEED TO PLAY. Assessing your own skills and how recruitable you are to other programs can be tricky. Too many over estimate what their worth is to another program. I've been helping him get looked at in the right way, from marketing yourself, finding the right football program/the right campus and the right education — together with inside info from my contacts, as well as knowledge gleaned from 40 years coaching guys just like him... even helping him craft a film that college coaches can actually evaluate (see below). If you're a high school athlete (FR, SO, JR, SR) who is interested to play at the college level, or you are a current college player, but seeking to find a way to get more PLAYING APPEARANCES (either at the university you're with or through the Portal), DM me and we can talk about how KICKING SKOOL can help.

Over each summer, I run a series of kicking & punting camps across the Midwest, each camp staffed by college players. Only one of our counselors is still playing in December — Chip Dose. Chip is the punter/holder at North Central College (a D3 school in Naperville, IL) and will be playing in quarterfinal game of the D3 playoffs this Saturday. Way to go, Chip!!! Where would you rather be — playing in the cold and snow, or relaxing on the couch watching the game?

A shout out to an old friend (and rival) of mine, @Jim Gorecki who just joined KICKING SKOOL! Jim is salesman extraordinaire for Dynamic Fitness & Strength in Eau Claire, WI. He probably sold your school it's weight room equipment! 😆 Jim was also a kicker back in the OLD DAYS at UW-Stout. He's since helped me out as a camp counselor and fellow kicking mentor to high schoolers. I'm sure that Jim will have some great advice to share!

From On3: After a court order temporarily allowed Ohio high school athletes to sign NIL deals, the Ohio High School Athletic Association voted to make it permanent. Ohio is now the 45th state to allow NIL at the high school level. The OHSAA took up emergency legislation following a lawsuit filed by Ohio State wide receiver commit Jamier Brown. Last month, a judge granted a temporary restraining order which temporarily allowed high school athletes in the state to sign NIL deals. The order was due to run through Dec. 15. Monday morning, the OHSAA's rule change went through following a vote by high school principals. It passed by a 447-121 vote with 247 schools abstaining. Following the OHSAA's ruling, five states do not allow NIL at the high school level. (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, and Ohio) "We would like to thank our member schools for taking ownership of this NIL bylaw proposal," said OHSAA executive director Doug Ute in a statement. "Whether our schools or individuals agree with NIL at the high school level or not, the courts have spoken on this issue across the country that the NCAA and high school athletic associations cannot prevent a student-athlete from making money on their NIL."