THERE’S MORE TO developing a good punter than finding a kid with a good leg and turning him loose. This series of drills is used by University of Wisconsin special teams coach Darrell Wilson with Badger punters. The drills break down punting into six different areas, each enabling a player to concentrate extra effort on an area where he may be having problems.
1. Partner Toss Drill. This teaches the punter to catch the ball in proper position for punting. It helps develop soft hands.
A. Have partners stand about 10 yards apart.
B. Punter should stand with arms extended at chest height, elbows slightly bent. Partner tosses the ball to him, simulating a center snap.
C. Punter should catch the ball away from the body, with fingers relaxed.
D. As the ball is caught, he should “mold” the ball, turning it so that the back quarter of the ball fits into the drop hand.
E. As punter molds the ball, he takes the first step forward.
2. Towel Drill. This drill teaches the punter not to cover too much ground with his steps. It helps him develop a rhythm while staying out of the “block zone.”
A. Place a towel at the heels of the punter.
B. Place a second towel 3 yards in front of the punter if he’s a two-step punter or 4 yards in front for a three-step punter.
C. Have someone toss the ball to the punter. The punter catches it with proper form and height, then takes his steps, without actually punting the ball. The coach watches for proper arm level and elevation. Your punter should be through his progression of steps before his feet touch the second towel.
3. Drop Drill. This drill reinforces dropping the ball in the proper position.
A. The punter should start this drill holding the ball. After he becomes comfortable, it can be combined with the partner toss drill.
B. He should hold the ball at chest height, arms extended, elbows slightly bent. Wisconsin prefers a one-handed drop, with the drop hand molding the back quarter of the ball. Youth football coaches working with players with smaller hands may want to experiment with keeping two hands on the ball longer.
C. The bottom of the ball should be parallel to the ground.
D. There should be no upward or downward tilt to the ball.
E. Drop the ball softly (Wisconsin coaches compare it to laying a baby down).
F. Guide the ball down the first 6 to 8 inches from the start before releasing. This will eliminate the common mistake of tossing the ball slightly upward at the beginning of the release.
G. Have the punter work on this without actually punting the ball at first. Allow it to drop flat on the ground.
4. Leg Swing Drill. This drill teaches the correct leg swing. Remember that this drill is not about power. Begin without a football.
A. Have the punter stand on a straight line. Punter takes one step with the plant foot and swings the kicking leg through.
B. Punter should focus on a spot 6 feet in front of him, keeping his head down. As he swings his leg through, he keeps his body in good punting position.
C. The punting leg should come across the body, winding up aligned with eye and ear on the plant-foot side.
D. After the punter becomes comfortable with this drill, add a ball. Have the punter drop it, but have a coach or another player standing to the side catch it after he drops it. The punter should continue working on his leg swing without actually kicking the ball.
5. Down The Line Drill. This drill tests the leg swing and body mechanics. Use a ball in this drill.
A. Punter stands on a straight line (a yard marker or sideline for instance.)
B. Punter takes his normal steps and punts the ball, using proper punting techniques.
C. After the ball is away, the punter should finish standing directly on the line he started from.
D. The ball should land on the line, or within 2 yards in either direction.
E. If the ball or punter wind up offline, it will be due to a mistake in leg swing, drop, grip or body mechanics.
F. A coach should observe the player throughout the punt, checking for proper technique and correcting any errors.
6. Come Right Or Left. This drill helps correct problems in the leg swing, particularly for those who have trouble bringing the leg up across the body.
A. Place cones 40 yards downfield, one directly in front of the punter (using a line marker is helpful) and the other cone 10 yards to the left or right.
B. Punter should focus on swinging the leg toward the 10-yard cone.
C. This will bring punting leg through to the plant-foot side eye and ear, although it may not seem so to the punter.
D. Coach should watch for proper technique, making the changes necessary.