How to Punt a Football
Possession may be 9/10ths of the law, but giving up the ball under certain conditions may actually give your team a better chance of winning the game. Punts kick the ball far into the field or into a precise location in the field; while the opposing team does hold possession of the ball, the play makes it more difficult for the opposing team score a touchdown. Here are some ways to punt a football correctly.
When to Punt a Football
A punt may be called by the coach when it becomes very risky to run the ball across the line of scrimmage if the play is too close to the end zone. The team may opt to give up possession of the ball, but make it more difficult for the opposing team to run the ball to your end zone. The punt may also be useful if the team opts to play to its defensive strengths during the course of the game.
How to Punt
Punts are fast plays that can dramatically change the outcome of the game. A punt is only legal when it is made from your team’s side of the line of scrimmage. To make an effective punt that will change the tide of the game to your team’s favor, follow these steps:
punting a football
You should be around 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage, just behind the center’s passing side. The punter’s position makes it easier and faster for the punt to take place.
When the ball is passed to you at the hike, hold out the ball at stomach level. The laces should be pointing up; do not punt or kick a ball at the laces.
Take two steps forward with your kicking foot at the lead. When you’re ready to punt, your kicking foot should be behind you. Remember not to cross the line of scrimmage, or the punt will be illegal.
Drop the ball, and kick it in midair.
Punting Tips
The way you kick the ball can have an effect to the direction and angle of the kick. It’s best to kick the ball straight with the top of your foot, but you can also use the inside of your foot if you want to punt the ball upward.
Sometimes you can fake a punt by taking the punt formation and going through the paces, but the punter will instead pass or run with the ball. Fake punts are especially useful as a game strategy especially if there’s a good chance to score a touchdown or clear yards on the field.
A well-timed, well-placed, and well-executed punt can be a real difference-maker in the game of football. You may lose possession of the ball, but a punt can make you take charge of every play taking place on the gridiron.