All coaches want to design their practice schedule so that every position group in every period is doing something with a purpose. That is, having a drill to make each individual a better player, to make each unit more proficient and to improve the team as a whole during each practice. Many coaches, however, are at a loss when it comes to designing a practice schedule for their kicking specialists. Specifically, punters are an important defensive weapon when performing their duties with maximum effectiveness. Here are a few drills that can help a punter’s overall performance.

No-Step Drill

    The punter will stand with his non-kicking knee slightly bent and his body weight on the front of the non-kicking foot. He will swing the kicking leg back and then forward, striking the ball with his toes pointed out. After the kick, the punter should have a nice, high follow-through with the kicking leg ending as high as possible and the non-kicking foot on the toes. The focus of this drill is to have a good drop, kick the ball on the right spot of the foot (the bone on the inside of the foot which goes to the big toe) with the toes pointed, and have a good follow-through. Distance should not be a priority in this drill, but rather a nice, tight spiral is the benchmark for good technique.

One-Step Drill

    This drill should be approached as the same as the no-step drill. The punter should start with his weight on his kicking foot, then take the final plant step before kicking the ball with the same emphasis as explained above in the no-step drill. One difference in this drill is that distance and hang time can be a priority as well as a tight spiral. 

Note: Make sure the punter does not over-step or land on his heel when he steps with his plant foot. Punters should take short steps on their toes in their approach to the punt. I like to tell my punters to take tip-toe steps.

Yard Line Drop

    This is a simple warm-up drill, working on an accurate drop. Using one of the lines across the field (goal line, 10-yard line, etc.), have the punters work on drops going down the yard line without punting the ball. The yard line helps to make sure the punter drops the ball straight down and not to the left or right causing a shanked punt. Emphasize the proper way to hold the ball before the drop with only the finger tips touching the ball and placing the thumb on the top and toward the back of the ball.

Bad Snaps

    Simply put, have the punters work on catching bad snaps and recovering to make good kicks. 

Playing Catch

   The goal of this drill is kicking good spirals on the right spot of the foot without needing much space to perform. Have two punters stand about ten yards apart and do what I like to call “playing catch.” Have them lightly kick spirals back and forth aiming for the other player’s chest. This is also a good warm-up drill.

Bucket Drill

   The bucket drill is a good way to work on coffin corner kicks. Place a large bucket or trash can around the 10-yard line close to the sideline and have your punters try to drop the punt into the bucket. Having something in which to aim, in this case the bucket, is a great way to work on accuracy for pinning your opponent deep in their own territory. 

About the Author: Dustin Humphreys is beginning his second year on the staff at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, KY, coaching wide receivers, kickers, and punters. Before coaching at Tates Creek, he spent one season with the Kentucky Horsemen of the Arena Football League ( af2)  as an offensive assistant and quality control coach. He graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, AL in 2006.