Post by Coach Campbell on Apr 26, 2009 12:34:57 GMT
How to Kick a Field Goal
This article will cover the basics of nailing a football through the uprights. A good kick can win the game for your team, therefore, it pays to perfect your kick. This can be difficult and takes much consistent practice, but this should help make it easy.
StepsHave the ball held with the laces pointed away from you. It should be straight up and not leaning a little the other way of the side you are on, or as you progress with your kicking you will learn which way to have the ball leaning (if any lean at all).
Take 2-6 steps backwards (whatever feels comfortable) and 2 steps to the opposite side from your kicking foot (left if you are a rightie, and right if you are a leftie).
Look at the uprights (goal posts) and imagine the ball sailing through. Then give the holder a signal that you are ready and think about how you should be kicking the ball. Don't think about the score/if you need to make this to win the game... always think of your structure.
Your first actual step should be with your kicking foot, turning it just a little bit. This is called "prelock"ing your foot.
Your last step before you kick the ball will be your plant step. If you are kicking off-the-ground (college or pro players), your ankle should be in front of the ball to give the ball the height you need. High school players using a 2" tee should have their toes in front of the TEE to also give you the height you need. high school players using a 1" tee should have the arch of their foot in the middle of the tee to give you the height you need.
Keep your head down so you don't kick the side of the ball.
Follow through. Flexibility is key with your follow through; the higher you follow through, the higher your ball will go.
TipsThere are two types of kicking: Straight and Soccer style. Straight is when you kick it and your foot comes straight up (perpendicular to the ground). Soccer style is when you swing your foot when you follow through to the opposite side of your kick. Try both to see which you are most comfortable with.
When kicking, the amount of strength and speed you put into each kick should be consistent each time whether it is an extra point or a 50 yarder. No extra steps or super strength need be put into your kick.
Your foot should strike the ball on the bottom third of the ball.
If you are right footed, dont think about what your right arm does. vice versa for leftys.
Keep everything in-line of your target: hips and shoulders.
Approach the ball at a diagonal.
If kicking off a tee, aim your kick at the bottom of the tee.
If you do not have a holder, you can buy or make a plastic one(from PVC pipe)
If the ball misses short, try kicking the ball closer toward the middle of it.
Plant your non-kicking foot about 5-7 inches away from the ball.
Kick with the bone on top of your foot, this will provide the most solid spot for kicking.
On the follow through, your plant foot should move after you have kicked, your momentum will carry through your plant foot.
Try to make your kicking foot go straight through your target after you have kicked to ensure that your body is square.
Keep your upper body straight up when you kick the ball, you have more balance than if you are crouched over.
WarningsYou can never follow through too much.
Even if it is raining keep your steps and form the same as usual to ensure that you remain consistent.
Don't kick the ball with your toes. This can lead to injury and an inaccurate kick.
Do compensate for the wind before 20 yards; it's scientifically proven that wind will not have much or any effect on the ball before that yardage.
Do not kick too much, this will only hurt you. Quality not quantity.
Stretch, stretch, stretch. Help yourself and start a workout with a good 15-20 minutes of stretching.
If there is any snow, clear off where you will be kicking before you attempt the kick. This will achieve maximum grip.
This article will cover the basics of nailing a football through the uprights. A good kick can win the game for your team, therefore, it pays to perfect your kick. This can be difficult and takes much consistent practice, but this should help make it easy.
StepsHave the ball held with the laces pointed away from you. It should be straight up and not leaning a little the other way of the side you are on, or as you progress with your kicking you will learn which way to have the ball leaning (if any lean at all).
Take 2-6 steps backwards (whatever feels comfortable) and 2 steps to the opposite side from your kicking foot (left if you are a rightie, and right if you are a leftie).
Look at the uprights (goal posts) and imagine the ball sailing through. Then give the holder a signal that you are ready and think about how you should be kicking the ball. Don't think about the score/if you need to make this to win the game... always think of your structure.
Your first actual step should be with your kicking foot, turning it just a little bit. This is called "prelock"ing your foot.
Your last step before you kick the ball will be your plant step. If you are kicking off-the-ground (college or pro players), your ankle should be in front of the ball to give the ball the height you need. High school players using a 2" tee should have their toes in front of the TEE to also give you the height you need. high school players using a 1" tee should have the arch of their foot in the middle of the tee to give you the height you need.
Keep your head down so you don't kick the side of the ball.
Follow through. Flexibility is key with your follow through; the higher you follow through, the higher your ball will go.
TipsThere are two types of kicking: Straight and Soccer style. Straight is when you kick it and your foot comes straight up (perpendicular to the ground). Soccer style is when you swing your foot when you follow through to the opposite side of your kick. Try both to see which you are most comfortable with.
When kicking, the amount of strength and speed you put into each kick should be consistent each time whether it is an extra point or a 50 yarder. No extra steps or super strength need be put into your kick.
Your foot should strike the ball on the bottom third of the ball.
If you are right footed, dont think about what your right arm does. vice versa for leftys.
Keep everything in-line of your target: hips and shoulders.
Approach the ball at a diagonal.
If kicking off a tee, aim your kick at the bottom of the tee.
If you do not have a holder, you can buy or make a plastic one(from PVC pipe)
If the ball misses short, try kicking the ball closer toward the middle of it.
Plant your non-kicking foot about 5-7 inches away from the ball.
Kick with the bone on top of your foot, this will provide the most solid spot for kicking.
On the follow through, your plant foot should move after you have kicked, your momentum will carry through your plant foot.
Try to make your kicking foot go straight through your target after you have kicked to ensure that your body is square.
Keep your upper body straight up when you kick the ball, you have more balance than if you are crouched over.
WarningsYou can never follow through too much.
Even if it is raining keep your steps and form the same as usual to ensure that you remain consistent.
Don't kick the ball with your toes. This can lead to injury and an inaccurate kick.
Do compensate for the wind before 20 yards; it's scientifically proven that wind will not have much or any effect on the ball before that yardage.
Do not kick too much, this will only hurt you. Quality not quantity.
Stretch, stretch, stretch. Help yourself and start a workout with a good 15-20 minutes of stretching.
If there is any snow, clear off where you will be kicking before you attempt the kick. This will achieve maximum grip.