Special teams errors cost games... · KICKERSCAMP: Kicking Skool

Special teams errors cost games...

We're "paid" to be a robot. No misses, no shanks, no dropped balls... and yet, the human element gets completely exposed in the cold, in the wind and in high pressure situations.

So what can you do?

PREPARE. We are in the off season. Mentally and physically prepare for everything you can think of.

What should I do in this situation?
What should I be thinking?
Is there a way to practice for such an event?
If it goes wrong, how do I NOT make it worse?
If it goes wrong, can I fix it?

Ultimately, what this exercise does is give you confidence to tackle the situation. You will be less likely to fail.

When "pressure", which is all in your head, is making your body actually ache, your head isn't helping the situation. However, your brain doesn't know the difference between the stress from fear and that from the stress of excitement. Choose excitement, because your body DOES KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

Is this situation EXCITING? It is! Get lost in that. Not on the possible outcome of your failure. Think back, "I tried out for football kicker because I wanted the chance to be a big hero for my team." AND NOW YOU HAVE THAT EXACT CHANCE!

When conditions are bad, accept them for exactly what they are... a challenge (that perhaps you've practiced for).

SCENARIO #1: Snowy, worried about your plant? Have you taken practice kicks were your alignment is significantly straighter to the post so you risk slipping less? You can't kick it as far (can you?), but how far can you kick it effectively? KNOW THAT ANSWER.

SCENARIO #2: Just as you're about to fair catch a punt, you misjudge the ball and trip over your own feet and fall. If the ball doesn't touch you, you're actually OK. Embarrassed, but no harm no foul. However, try to make an impossible catch probably means 6-points for your opponent. And now that you have screwed it up, you feel 2-inches tall. Do you crumple for the rest of the game... or stand up, brush off, deal with your emotions AFTER the game. Right now, you have the next play to play. So play it well.... and for Xavier Smith, pray that you team can overcome your error. (and, they did).

SCENARIO #3: When the wind and snow is in your face on an end zone punt, CATCHING THE BALL is step #1... then getting a good drop is step #2. It's not "perfection time" — it's make solid contact and control which direction your punt will travel. A shank is your enemy. Still hit a SHANK? Be the guy following the play to make a TD saving tackle (or shove him out of bounds). There is almost always SOMETHING you can do to lessen the burden of the play to your team.

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Video 1: Game Kicking "Highlights"

Video 2: Muffed Punt Return

Video 3 (0:50sec): Shanked punt in snow

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