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Clinic

Straight Through the Uprights
Proper Approach, Angle and Distance for Kickers

By Paul Perrone
Kicking Coach, SUNY Morrisville

History
As field goal percentages at the pro level have risen in the last 10 years, kickers’approach angles have become narrower and the steps back shorter. Soccer-style kicking took the sport by storm in the 1960s because it utilized torque to create added power. But it wasn’t until kickers began to “manage” their torque properly that soccer-style kickers’ field goal percentages soared into the mid- and high 90s. Kicking schools were onto something as early as the mid-1980s: If you could distribute your weight up the field instead of spinning in place on the follow-through, accuracy and power would improve dramatically.

Statement of the Problem
When the kicker’s approach angle is wide, it opens them up to several pitfalls. One is the amount of speed generated. When kickers “cut” on their instep to drive to the ball, they are not taking the most direct path possible. Secondly, they can’t take a proper, inside swing path because their hips are opening left much too early. Thirdly, the resulting torque at impact prevents them from moving their weight up the field to get simultaneous advance (or “lead”) with the hips.

These problems can also be aggravated by the approach being too long. In that instance, it’s harder for the kicker to stay light on his plant foot to skip through the ball. The downforce of landing on the plant foot causes the hips to sit back. The result is that a long, lunging drive step makes the kicker “stick and spin,” so that mass is not distributed upfield, but around to the left while in place. Another effect is that impact is made with a glancing blow; the kicker is not holding his weight over the ball long enough during the swing.

Solutions
The narrower the approach angle, the better. If the kicker uses 3 X 2 steps, the two steps over should be softer and the steps back shorter, covering only 2 1/2 - 3 yards. One way to find the correct new spot is to run the new approach backwards.

Place a tee on the ground. Have the kicker reverse left heel and toe position in the proper plant location next to the tee. Taking the narrowest angle comfortable, have him run the approach at 80 percent speed, staying tall and reducing the length of the drive step. Mark the heel and toe locations where his plant foot lands.

Next, have the kicker put his left foot in that location facing the ball, feet together. He then takes the number of steps over. Make sure he feels the softer steps needed to land directly behind the ball. He then takes the number of steps up, using the length of the foot to interpolate any extra distance to the tee. These are your kicker’s new steps. Use masking tape or spray paint to help him rehearse these.

There are additional adjustments to be made when positioning the kicker tighter to the ball. They mainly involve shoulder and foot position and movement.

Weight should be kept outside for as long as possible prior to impact with level shoulder position. In our discussion, Phil Dawson of the Cleveland Browns likened this to carrying “trays of water” on each shoulder. The same level shoulder position and tall posture should be promoted throughout the approach and kick. This ensures that the hips do not dip along with the shoulders, which causes the kicker to muscle the ball using an outside swing path.

In addition, the shoulders and feet should be positioned in the stance outside the ball, or at the plant location 10-12 inches left of the ball. If the kicker’s shoulders are positioned outside in his stance and approach, they will stay inside longer at impact, greatly increasing the use of body mass on the kick (conversely, if the shoulders are positioned inside, at the ball or the holder, they’ll fly open early). Regarding shoulder position, the kicker should think, “outside, outside...inside.”

This new shoulder and foot position necessitates another key adjustment – the crossover step. After the jab step (with the left or front foot for right-footed kickers), the right foot should be placed in direct line with the plant location, using the ball of the foot rather than the instep. This prevents the kicker from “cutting” off his kicking foot to the ball, which opens weight too early. The second step (with the right foot) should be a “touch”; the left foot is the primary driving foot.

The new, shorter approach does three things. First, it promotes the tall posture on the approach and kick (needed to get proper extension/leg lock) because the kicker isn’t driving the ball as much. Secondly, it lets the kicker find a rhythm and take a smoother stroke at about 80-85 percent power. This promotes proper timing between protagonist and antagonist muscles during the swing. Third, it reduces the amount of upper body movement so the kicker can hold torso position for consistent ball striking.

Drills
• Using a small set of cones, mark an approach lane for the kicker to run through. Emphasize having him keep his shoulders perpendicular to the line of cones and his feet in the middle of the lane. Make sure he also keeps his shoulders level.

• Air-kicks, or “Dry Runs.” For total body rehearsal, have the kicker go through his new stepping pattern and complete a swing with the new shoulder position. Alert him to the feeling and how it affects what he does over the ball.

For more information go to www.paulperronekicking.com