Set & Pull .......... The Secret Sauce

      
      Field position is one of the key ingredients to winning in the game of football. An effective punter that can change field position is a priceless commodity. The process of punting has four major elements: 1) The Posture/ Body Angle, 2) The Footwork, 3) The Drop and 4) The Leg Snap.

       Mastering each element will be only made possible by being mentally and physically prepared to compete every time you step on the field. By following faithful daily routines of drill work and conditioning, the punter will be able to repeat the one fluid motion needed to achieve maximum hang time, distance and precise placement.

    Here are just a few points that will give you the best chance of becoming an efficient punter:

 Being "grounded" both mentally/physically; maintaining the proper body angle throughout the punt

“Letting your feet fall into the ground” on the approach.

"Letting your hands work” on the catch/grip of the football.

 "Allowing(guiding) the drop" into the hitting zone. 

 "Set it"  - Setting the leg(knee) and ankle

"Pull it" -  Pulling the knee violently along the arc

"Wait on it" - Allowing the knee to  pass the ball before releasing the lower leg  up and through the ball.

"Cracking the whip" - the feeling of properly snapping your lower leg as your knee(quad) comes BACK towards your body.

And ”finishing” the kick - Snapping your lower leg through the ball with the femur(quad) continuing along the arc of the swing(ie golf/baseball).

         Due to the aggressive nature of the game of football, patience and timing must be mastered through mental preparation, repetition and muscle memory. The philosophy of the “Set and Pull 5.00” technique is to maximize foot speed with minimal physical effort by allowing your lower leg to properly release; violently snapping your foot through the hitting zone.

 The purpose of this blog is to educate and enlighten all those interested in punting the football. Athletes, coaches and parents will all benefit by embracing the principals of the "Set & Pull' punting technique. It's simple, repeatable and produces consistent results. Not to mention the cost of college in the year 2015 will be roughly $100,000.


More to come. GM

The Set & Pull Philosophy

       By promoting proper balance, a clear mind and effortlessly fluid motion, Montgomery gives every athlete the ability to violently snap his/her foot through the hitting zone. In contrast to traditional punting teachings, Montgomery teaches ‘get your leg in’ vs ‘getting the drop out’. What this means is that when a punter extends his leg too early, the hitting zones is further away from the body. Most coaches try to remedy this error by telling their students to ‘get the drop out further’. This is perfect example of treating the symptoms vs treating the illness.

        Wait On It

If you study the golf swing, as well as the baseball hitting motion, you’ll see similarities. The one that will stand out is the setting of the hands. The way I came up with the S&P 5.0 was finally learning that your hands must not release until they pass the ball in golf and baseball. This being said, in the punting motion, your knee serves as your hands. As the punter is gliding into his plant, with the leg is Set, you simply Pull the leg (using hip flexor) and when in proper position, ‘allow’ the leg to snap through the ‘hitting zone’. The knee actually passes the ball and releases on the way up through the hitting zone. By waiting to release the knee, your leg will be shorter and the hitting zone closer; hence ‘Get your leg in’. 

. All punters and coaches experience the frustration of inconsistency. What's the source? Too much effort and not understanding how the punting motion REALLY works.

With patience and focus,  the Set & Pull technique will allow your leg to snap faster and more consistently. With dedication to 'The Move',  you'll make the transition from 'ball hitter' to 'ball striker'.

The Process

Rhythm, timing and patience are the key elements required to
execute an effective punt. From catch to kick, punting is one
fluid motion. After all the work, after all the repetitions, after
the mental preparation, we must trust the process while in the
heat of battle.

A great punt is the product of trusting the
process.

An 11 yard block point is a product of trusting the
process.

A 1.2 second “catch to kick” is the product of trusting
the process.

 A punt with 5.0 second hang time is a product of
trusting the process.

        As in all aspects of life, we have to let go in
order to gain control. We can’t squeeze it, white knuckle it or
force it to happen. We have to let it happen. Less is More -
Once a consistent rhythm is established, less effort actually
produces better results. We need to take a deep breath, relax,
trust the process, and finish.

Random Thoughts on Golf, Punting and Life

                      “Letting Go in Order to Gain Control”

       

There is a very fine line between success and failure when we finally ‘let go with a purpose. Especially in the game of golf->As in the game of life (punting).

Repetition will instill muscle (brain) memory in order to focus on 1-3 swing thoughts while competing on the golf course and in a stadium filled with 78,000 fans..  I’ve always been in search of the “perfect move” (swing) in punting, golf and ultimately life .  Even though ‘it’ took 45 years to manifest, ‘letting go‘ has given me the gift of ‘control’ on the course…. the practice field………. life.

Being able to “trust the process”, clear your mind and allow your swing unfold naturally is definitely something to strive for.  However, the next step is to “put it all together” and score.  Working on ingraining swing movements into my subconscious mind has put me in a position to “take my relationship” (mind, body, spirit) to the next level.

We all need to free our minds from the limitations that accompany a “results driven mindset”. Thoughts..whispers of  “I’ve never shot 65”, “I hope I don’t pull this putt”, “Wouldn’t it be stupid to snap hook this drive”, all the way to “How will this win change my life?” on the PGA Tour. The same applies to punting the football. Thoughts of "I only have to hit a 42 yd punt to lead the NFL"(true story) or "Just don't shank it"(true story) or " I hope this doesn't get blocked'( true story) can lead to disaster.

I've been blessed to experience ‘it’(the zone) in small  but poignant doses. Though I had much ‘success’(statistically) with my punting, my new goal is to implement this freedom into both my golf game and the game of all punters at the high school, college and pro levels.  Technique and mind set is the secret sauce.

 My never ending quest…my unquiet mind…..the constant grind.  Hilarious, but so frustrating. I knew it(the perfect punt) was ‘in there”, but I squeezed when I should have “Let Go”….physically and mentally. This ‘squeezing of life' served to hold me back in all of my endeavors whether it be on or off the field.

In 2003, I found it! Posture, the drop, rhythm,  leg position at contact. The release of the knee. Accelerating the foot effortlessly THROUGH the hitting zone. Maintaining the arc of the of the swing. Too little too late for my punting career, but I enjoy to share this wisdom and coach my 'Set & Pull' technique (Google ‘Donnie Jones – punter St Louis Rams”) . Letting go in order to gain control is an art.  We have to be prepared for ‘the shift’…..When we finally realize “we are ok” (on the right track), we (the human mind) can do anything…for real!!”  

Quantum thinking prevents us from letting fear (guilt/failure) creep in and plant its evil seed. Know this -  you can compete at ‘levels unknown’.  We have to constantly remind ourselves that‘doubt’  is the number one(1) hurdle that separates the boys from the men.  We must strive to free our minds of negative thoughts, destructive loops of “scenarios”, “what if’s”, and “what will the friends family fans say (think)”. 

We need to let go and allow life to happen; however we can direct it when we relax and respect the process.(Next level, folks).

After proper mental and physical preparation, we must always “trust the process” (i.e. I hit a 65 yd punt in 1998 while in the “chains of a panic attack”).  I didn’t know I had a choice. When all is said and done, we must understand and believe we are in control of all of our actions….catch to kick….address to finish…sunrise to sunset. And that’s it, folks ……… MAGIC.

So the moral to the story is 1) Focus 2) Execute (allow) and 3) Enjoy (let it happen) the ride!