FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS?

Hey Bill,

Both points are well taken, and right on the money. I have another deciding factor some nights also;
since the rule was put in that if the FG is missed, the ball reverts back to the exact spot the ball was kicked from. I just can't see chancing a lengthy FG, that if it is missed, is going to give the opponent
excellent field position. I do not know if that rule pertains to high school level play or not, but if it does I would certainly make it a part of my decision making process.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

AGREED! I WAS MAINLY REFERRING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL KICKERS. ANOTHER FACTOR TO BE CONSIDERED, IN MY OPINION IS THE WEATHER CONDITIONS (GUSTING WINDS, RAIN, SNOW, ETC.)

I once took an offensive coordinator's job on the HS level at a school that was 0-22. I had a PK who won our first game of the season with a 37 yd field goal. That meant the ball was on the 20 yard line. He won two other games for us that year at about the same range. We were 4-0 before losing and he was a big part of that. I totally agree that knowing his COMFORT RANGE is vital.

ANYBODY ELSE CARE TO COMMENT ON THIS QUESTION? WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR INPUT.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Hey Coach,

I remember the possession that you were speaking of as it relates to not going for the field goal. IF my memory serves me correctly, I think they were just outside of the makeable field goal area. Being the coach that he is, Coach B hardly ever turns down points. I think that he was more so worried about giving up the field position. In some games in my short career, I have concentrated on field possession as a means of dictating what a dominant offense can do. It's hard to score if you can't get close to the endzone...

Coach Mitch

One thing I've learned while coaching high schoolers...Know your kicker. Work with him personally! I've seen high schoolers make 47y field goals in games. Yes, that kind of leg is not a part of every team, but my point is, don't talk yourself out of things because they're "high schoolers". Now I'm the first to admit that kickers are a bit strange, but I've also seen so many coaches talk themselves out of field goal attempts that they thought were on the edge of range because they don't trust what thier kicker has done in practice and warm-ups. If you make these kids feel like you're gambling just by putting them in, they often will fall apart. If you have a good kicker, trust the kid's ability. Now if your kicking game is iffy as it is--well then, all bets are off!