Football Punt, Pass, & Kick
The Punt
Grip-Start by holding the football with both hands, with the laces pointing up. You never want to kick with the laces pointing down.
Step- Once you have a grip on the ball you need to gather your balance and prepare to take a step with your kicking foot. After you take your first step, you will take a larger step with your other leg as you set up for your punt.
Drop- During your second step, your kicking leg should be back and ready to swing forward. When you drop the ball for the punt, you should not toss it up at all or throw it down quickly. You literally just drop the ball in front of your kicking leg as it is swinging through. It is helpful to slightly tilt the football forward when you punt the ball.
Contact- Contact is critical for a successful punt. As the ball is falling to your foot, you should aim the top of your foot for the "belly" of the football, directly opposite the laces. Don't stop driving your leg when your foot contacts the ball. Drive your foot through the ball to ensure maximum power and distance.
Follow Through- Drive your leg up toward your head with your follow-through. To stabilize yourself, you can hold your arms out in front of you. Your follow-through might be so forceful that your plant foot leaves the ground. This is to be expected.
The Pass
Hand Placement- Take the football in your throwing hand with a few of your lower fingers on the laces and your index finger closer to the tip of the ball. You can use your off hand to help hold the ball as support.
Positioning- Once you have a grip on the ball, bring the ball up close to your ear on the throwing arm side. Your opposite shoulder should be pointing towards your target.
Throw- Once you are in the proper position to throw, you take a step with your opposite foot towards the target. Take your non-throwing hand off the ball and start your throw by launching the ball forward at an upward angle. As the ball starts to release from your hand, use the laces to roll your fingers off and create a spin on the ball. Always follow through after the ball is released.
The Kick
Start by setting up your football on the tee. You always want the laces to face forward. The ball should not be tilted too much. Try to keep it straight up or slightly slanted back.
-Before you kick, set yourself up several yards behind the football and slightly to the side of your non-kicking foot. As you run up to the ball to kick it, make sure your last step before the kick is to the side of the ball.
-Your kicking leg should be cocked back and ready to kick forward when you plant that last step next to the ball. You want to contact the ball towards the lower half, about 4 inches up from the bottom tip. This will help the ball fly into an upward angle when you kick it. Once again, always follow through after contact is made.