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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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