How to teach extra point kicking?

[Roden10]

I have watched a bunch of you tube videos and read whatever I can find that is free. I would lay down some cash for a good video if I had it. But I don't.

I would like to ask those of you that actually have some success at teaching it to share some knowledge. Because I suck at it. We get killed by P.A.T.'s worth 2 points every year.

We don't actually have goal posts to practice with but we do have a swingset that is about the same size, just no uprights.

I think we have a shot to win some games this year and I would hate to lose them because we cant't kick. Most of the other teams in our league seem to be pretty good at it.

Thanks

[Bob Goodman]

I suck at it.

In what ways have your players been missing it or otherwise messing up?

Not knowing what the problem is, one little bit of advice I can give that probably won't help but just might: Some people who can't get under the ball enough on a place kick can do so with a drop kick.  The drop kick also gives the team an extra blocker, easier catch of the snap, and better options in case of a broken play.  The place kick is more accurate for those who have the technique down and where the defense's rush is not a factor.

Also, if you have enough time to try out different kickers and different techniques, try everything.  Try place kicking with the toes as well as soccer style.  Drop kick by bouncing the ball off the point or off the middle of the long side.  Usually a right hander will be right footed, and a left hander left footed, but don't assume young kids already know their side dominance.

And if you have a player who recently recovered from a PCL tear on his kicking foot, take advantage.  Rehab from that increased my kicking distance probably 10 yards!  Same for kids who bike a lot, especially on rough terrain.  If you're allowed to recruit, maybe you can find a specialist!

[Roden10]

My biggest problem is having kids who can get the ball high enough and far enough. We have no rush. So thats not an issue.

[mahonz]

My biggest problem is having kids who can get the ball high enough and far enough. We have no rush. So thats not an issue.

Really hard to describe.

I had a semi pro kicker that was just outstanding help us out about 6 years ago at our practices.

Height is actually in the chest. Chest must exceed the arms so that the foot lifts the ball....which makes no sense really. If right footed right arm is back....left ...left. For a split second on contact the entire body is leaning away from the football to the point he can easly fall right on his butt but his head is down. 

Do 5 reps every day and play around with the kid pumping his chest out and arm back as he kicks. ...and head down. Tell em you will watch his pretty kicks for him.

[JB]

Just like anything else. Requires practice. Is it worth the time investment?

[Roden10]

The time investment could be debatable. We usually practiced that before practice.

As far as it being worth it. When the other team scores and gets 2 points for kicking it in and we can't I think it has somewhat of a demoralizing effect. Because then we know we can't catch up with a TD we need 2 TD's just to make up for their kick.

Not sure if I am making sense. I don't know that I would spend more time during practice but it would be a huge plus if we could do it.

[Bob Goodman]

My biggest problem is having kids who can get the ball high enough and far enough. We have no rush. So thats not an issue.

As to the ones that don't go high enough or far enough, does it appear they would've gotten far enough with the same force if they'd been aimed higher?  If so, then they're not getting under it, and if you can't improve that enough soccer style, then try it with the toe and try the drop kick (bounced on the end and bounced on the round side).  If you have someone who can punt well, you should definitely try him with the bounced-on-the-long-side drop kicking style; it's just like a punt except the ball is rising instead of dropping on the foot.

As to the demoralizing effect, think how it was for the teams in an 8U spring league around Austin that gave 3 points for a no-rush kick, 2 for a pass into the end zone, and 1 for a run across the goal line -- and there was apparently only 1 team that had a kicker.

As long as there's no rush, if you have no rule limiting practice hours, you can always have kickers practice on their own, anywhere they can find an approximation of a goal.  If they're place kicking and have nobody to hold for them, they can use a kickoff tee.

[searider86]

What about blocking scheme?  We have a kicker, snapper, and holder that can do their job.  How/what do I teach the line to do to stop penetration?  Wedge blocking?

[Bob Goodman]

What about blocking scheme?  We have a kicker, snapper, and holder that can do their job.  How/what do I teach the line to do to stop penetration?  Wedge blocking?

Yes.

[Roden10]

I would just like to say our kicker is finally getting it. What did it was he drug his toe across the grass once on accident and kicked it over easy. So I told him to say to himself scrape your toe on the grass as a reminder every time before he kicks and they started going over like magic! I'm sure he won't make them all but I will feel alot more comfortable about close games.