When you bring out your driver in golf, do you just put the ball on the ground? Or do you put it on a tee? A low stubby tee? NO. YOU TEE IT UP NICE AND HIGH. Why? Because you can hit the ball further and higher. Hmm. So why it is that almost all of you high school (and middle school) kickers use a 1" tee? You can use a 2" tee. "BUT COACH, I just kick spinners when I do that!" 🏈 Here's the fix. Wherever you start you kickoff approach, move back a half step. Problem solved. You need to be a little further back to hit the sweetspot with a 2" tee. Your brain will make the right calculations (still under it? Move back a little further). Most kickers get an extra 5 yards an a half second or more of hangtime — both very positive outcomes for you, your coach and your team. _ _ _ _ _ "SO WHERE'S MY OTHER 5 YARDS?" 1) Practice getting your steps right by using the GHOST KICKOFF DRILL. When you finally are able to approach the ball without worry about misstepping, you're ready for step no.2. 2) Practice the soccer ball KO. Take a soccer ball and put it on the football tee. Take your steps and kick the "snot" out of the ball. You'll find a ton of power, regardless of where it goes, because a soccer ball is round. There is NO BAD SIDE to the ball so you feel empowered to "swing away." That same feeling and thinking is what you need to do on your football kickoff. Attack the football like you do the soccer ball. When you first start out, don't worry about a "pretty kick". Just put power into it. Over time, your steps will measure out and you will find that you just picked up the 5 yards you wanted. Oh, one more thing... you can do that same drill by hitting squib kicks. WITH POWER! Can you squibb the ball (line drive low and hopping) and have the ball roll into the end zone? Guess what, if the return many doesn't pick it up, it's a touchback. If you can power a squib to the end zone, you have enough power to kickoff into the end zone. For younger guys, just chart your progress. I can squib the ball 40 yards. Now 50 yards... NOW 60 yards!!!

This is Nolan, a soon to be senior kicker from Rockton, IL. He was a varisty kicker last year and like so many high schoolers, he got about 3-4 changes to kick FGs last season. He's a good kicker. He wants more distance, but I am trying to get him to hone in on all of his K-zone kicks (for him, 32 yards and in). He can KO 60 yards, but not consistently. The Post Drill warm-ups are simply intended to go from about 70% power, all the way up to 100% effort. Most kickers will find that their sweet spot arrives at about 90%. The chuckle on the sideline drill stemmed from him trying to make the FG with a right-to-left crosswind was nearly impossible to do. That is, until the wind calmed right when he kicked the ball (right between the posts). 🤣 Here's a cheat code for you: if you wish to get full power because you are truly at the end of your range, do your steps, get set, then move back another 6-8 inches. Your 100% effort will produce more adrenaline and distance in your movement. Trust that your brain will get you to the ball.

With contact days starting today, and official practice in 2 weeks, I thought id give this time to make one more “end of summer” post on my progress. Last night I went to the field to take some kicks, and I’ll tell you now I was more than thrilled. I’ve seen so much progress this year words cannot describe how thankful I am for some of you guys helping me out and giving me advice, and most importantly I wanna give a special thanks to Mike Farley for helping me both online and at the west bend camp. Below I will attach one kick from February, march(failed PR 45 yds) beginning of summer, and end of summer including an extra point, 20 yd field goal, and a new PR!!! thank you all!

We just held our Hammond, Wisconsin camp for kicking and punting and had a very diverse group of kickers attend. As young as 12, up to seniors in high school, we had a straight on kicker and also, Lily, a senior girl who starts for the host school — St. Croix Central High. Lots of fun for Coach Dan, Coach Ryan and me in helping them become their best! 🏈

Is yours? Or are you just getting started on prepping for the Fall? One of our counselors played in the WFCA All-Star Game last Friday. Congrats, Ethan! @Ethan Van Beek