Punting w Soccer Balls Promotes Balance

   One of the hardest things for punters to 'unlearn' is throwing the drop out away from the body. This promotes an early release of the knee; therefore reaching(with the lower leg/foot) for the ball. By promoting a hitting position closer to the body, the ball is simply placed where to foot will be as the knee is pulled along the powerful arc.

   I recently worked w Western Carolina punter Clark Sechrest in Charlotte, NC. One of the first things I do, after teaching the principles of the Set & Pull movement, is have the punter strike soccer balls into a net. I'm finding that working with soccer balls serves a few purposes. 1) It promotes 'letting go' and allowing the lower leg to snap naturally, 2) It takes the athlete away from being 'results oriented'; eliminating the mindset of trying to hit a good punt, 3) By not worrying about 'results', the athlete can remain in a solid hitting position w solid balance and posture, 4) By using a soccer ball, the athlete doesn't get bogged down with trying to swing a certain way in order to make the oblong football spin down field.

    By not worrying about hitting a football,  I find that the athletes can groove the proper mechanics, ingraining the feeling of being a 'ball striker' versus a 'hitter'.We snap our leg violently and simply put the ball in the way.

  Notice Clark's short steps, balance and  body position as he effortlessly strikes the ball .....