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.

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!

One question, “Will Younghoe Koo be the Giants kicker this Sunday?”

Was lucky enough to get a 40 fg attempt in some brutal weather during the second round of D3 playoffs. Some thoughts I wanted share that helped in this. 1. Changed my plant foot soccer cleat for a football cleat 2. Slowed the operation time down because they will be slower too 3. Focused on good contact getting hips through the posts