Q&A for How to Punt a Football

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Question

How do I punt the football without hurting your foot?

Community Answer

Find the most comfortable point of your foot and kick from there. Or, just kick with the inside of your foot and follow through.

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Question

How do NFL players kick it so high?

Community Answer

They have dedicated their lives to training and gaining muscle strength. NFL kickers practice every single day they don't have a game.

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Question

Do you kick it with your laces?

Commander2006

Community Answer

If you want it to go higher, kick it with the tip of your foot (your toes). If you want it to go farther, kick it with your ankle (or as you call it, the laces).

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Question

Should you snap your foot to make the ball spiral?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Spiraling a punt is not necessarily a good idea because it makes the ball easier to catch and it's harder to get the direction and distance you want. If you really want to spiral it, "brush" against the side of the ball with your shoe as you kick it.

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Question

How do I get hang time?

Donagan

Top Answerer

The higher you kick the ball, the more hang time you'll get. On many kicks, however, you'll want to sacrifice a little hang time to get more distance downfield.

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Question

How long can a punter hold onto the football once it's snapped?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Typically two or three seconds. Any longer is asking for trouble.

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Question

How do I get a good roll when punting the ball after the bounce?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You'll probably get a good bounce if you punt a spiral with the leading nose up.

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Question

Do I need an instructor to teach me how to make the middle school team?

Community Answer

No, you do not need an instructor because making the middle school team is not a professional sport. You will need to at least know how to play to make the team though. After that, your coaches will help you get better.

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Question

Will I be able to kick it far in a normal football game if I don't practice some days?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It's like most skills: the more practice, the better. Skipping a day of practice now and then, however, is not going to hurt you. Taking an occasional break can actually help keep you focused and mentally sharp.

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Question

What happens if I drop the ball?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It's a fumble. The ball is "live," and anyone can pick it up or fall on it.

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Question

Can I move freely before the scrimmage line before making a punt?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes. Any player -- including a punter -- may run anywhere with the ball, and as long as he never crosses the line of scrimmage he may punt the ball at any time. This is true on any play, regardless of down.

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Question

Do I drop the ball while I'm stepping or after?

Donagan

Top Answerer

A punter typically lets go of the ball at the same time he is completing his last step and just as he is beginning his kicking motion.

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Question

What's the best exercise to get my punting leg stronger so I can get more distance and better hang time?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Do leg raises, lunges, deep knee bends and any other leg-strengthening exercises that appeal to you. Go light on weight training, however. You definitely don't want to take the chance of getting musclebound.

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Question

I have been kicking for seven years, hitting almost sixty yards without hitting ground. How can I get it to go farther in the air?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Both the height and the distance of a kick or punt are directly related to the angle at which a ball is kicked (as well as the strength of the kick, of course). The higher the angle, the higher and shorter the kick. Kick at a lower angle to get the ball to go farther downfield.

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Question

If I fumbled the ball, am I still able to punt it afterwards?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes. Assuming you have enough time to pick up the ball and avoid tacklers, you can punt the ball.

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Question

I have one year to prepare for 8th grade. How should I prepare to be a punter?

Community Answer

Go to a local park and bring a football and stretch, stretching helps prepare your legs for a kick.

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