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GUEST EXPERT ARTICLE
There has always been a negative stereotype of the unathletic, soccer-turned-football placekicker who doesn't deserve to be on the football team. Recently, this stereotype is slowly starting to go away. Here are 4 tips to help continue this progress.
#1 - FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE
If you are new to football, or don't play any other position on the team, it is your responsibility to learn the rules of football and be knowledgeable about the game. You should understand the basics of how to interpret play calls, passing routes, and basic defensive schemes. You do not need to know the details, but you also cannot play dumb and think that since you're just the kicker or punter, that doesn't apply to you. My recommendation is to play another position (at least in practice), so you are exposed to these terms and are not considered solely just a kicker or punter.
When I was in high school, I also practiced with the safeties and wide receivers, although I never played those positions in a varsity game. I was slow and uncoordinated (although I did have some catches and an interception in the JV games), however, the fact that I was practicing with the "real" players, working hard at it (even though I wasn't very good), and doing more than just kicking off in the corner by myself, helped me gain respect from my other teammates.
If you are punter, you must have hands as good as your top receivers on the team. Your job is to cleanly catch the ball, so you must practice it daily, and the best practice is with the receivers and tight ends.
Working through defensive back drills is good practice for both punters and kickers, as you must be able to back pedal, take an angle, and tackle someone. The art of tackling is the biggest negative skill we have to overcome, because it is pretty obvious when we don't do it right, and the consequences are usually a touchdown for the other team. This will also help you learn the defensive schemes and language.
#2 - WEIGHT LIFTING
Weight lifting is another great way to integrate yourself into the team. If your teammates see you trying to get stronger each week, even if it's with the bench press or bicep curls, they will see your work ethic up close, and have more respect for you. Obviously, don't try and keep up with the weights of your teammates, and you will need to follow a custom workout and lifting plan for you. Included in your Premium membership is a recommended lifting and running workout plan. Even if doing the bench press or shoulder press will have no impact on your ability to kick or punt, the fact that you are doing the same workout routines as the other players will make your time worthwhile. And a better physique is always a good thing, so it's OK if you have personal reasons that are motivating you to do the other non-essential lifts. I probably spent more time in the weight room than many of my high school teammates, which is probably why we didn't make the playoffs my senior year...
#3 - ATTITUDE
The worst thing you can do is become detached from the emotion of the team. In other words, if the team just lost, don't be laughing and joking around after the game. Even if you hit 3 big FGs, but your team lost 10-9, you need to be upset and disappointed that the team lost. Your personal performance can be honored or acknowledged at a later time. On the other side of the coin, if you hit a game-winning PAT in a 42-41 victory, don't pretend like you were responsible for the victory. Since we only participate in a small percentage of plays, the real credit should always go to the offensive and defensive players. They spend the whole game battling the opponent, and set us up for success. That leads me to my final point.
#4 - RESPECT
Constantly thank your snapper, holder and linemen for protecting you. Yes, it is their job, but they will gain respect for you when they hear you thank them, as it shows that you understand how hard their job is, and acknowledge that you rely on them for success. After every successful field goal, PAT or punt, you should shake the hand or verbally thank these support players. Don't just run off the field back to the bench. If you are fortunate enough to get an interview with the media, make sure you publicly thank them as well, and attribute them to your success, as well as thank your coaches for believing in you, and putting you in that position to succeed and help the team. Some coaches don't want to use their kickers (even in obvious situations - especially at the high school level), so be thankful for the opportunities you receive, take advantage of these opportunities when you get them, and don't take it for granted that you will always get those chances.
Good luck to everyone. Always remember that we are a kicking and punting community, and because of the uniqueness of our position, we should always respect and cheer for success for the other team's kicker and punter. Of course, you always want your team to win, however, you don't want to win due to the failure of the other team's kicker or punter. Hope for your defense to hold them to a FG. Hope for a blocked FG. Hope for a blocked punt. Don't hope for a missed FG or shanked punt. Learn more about Brion Hurley >>> |
Do your teammates respect you, or make fun of you?
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