By Coach Mike Pope

1. PART SIX By Coach Mike Pope

4. Learn the basic rules of a field goal kick. In the National Football League (NFL), any field goal attempted and missed from beyond the 20-yard line causes the defensive team to take possession of the ball where the kick was missed. Any field goal attempted and missed from on or inside the 20-yard line causes the defensive team to gain possession of the ball on the 20-yard line.

5. Set up the football. Place the football perpendicular to the ground on the holder. The football should be mostly upright with a slight slant toward the holder. Line up the laces so that they are facing the field goal. Doing so prevents the laces from interfering with the direction of the ball. This also allows you to kick the ball on the back seams, the spot which creates maximum compression when kicked. Maximum compression ensures that the football will travel farther and higher.

6. Walk backward away from the ball the number of paces appropriate for you. While there is no concrete number of paces that you must step back, for most is it about three large paces back and two paces to the left of the ball for right-footed kickers. For left-footed kickers, take three paces back and two to the right of the ball. Try out different distances to see what works best for you. The length of your legs will have an impact on how far you step back. The longer your legs, the longer your stride will be when you run to kick the ball. The important thing to remember when stepping back is to be consistent. Find a distance that works for you and practice it consistently.

7. Position yourself in an athletic stance. An athletic stance means that your knees are slightly bent, you are resting on the balls of your feet, and your body weight is centered over your hips. Place the foot that you will not use to kick the ball slightly in front of your kicking foot. This foot is called your plant foot because you will plant it next to the ball while kicking. Place your kicking foot slightly behind your plant foot. The toes of both feet should be pointing toward the places they will be upon contact.

8. Take your approach steps. Calculating the correct number of approach steps is one of the trickiest parts of kicking a field goal. Usually, kickers take about two to three approach steps. Approach steps are executed at a relatively slow pace and in three steps: The first step is optional and is called a jab step. This step will be a short step in the direction of the ball with your plant foot. Its purpose is to shift your body weight forward in the direction of the ball. The second step is called the drive step and is executed by taking a long stride in the direction of the ball with your kicking foot. The third step is taken by your plant foot to the side of the football. This is the most important step as it determines where your plant foot will anchor you to the field while you kick the ball. Because you are lined up behind and to the side of the football, you will be approaching the ball in a diagonal line.

9. Position your plant foot so that it points toward your target. Your target is the area of the field goal that you want the ball to go through. Your plant foot should be about five to seven inches behind your target. The depth of your plant foot will vary depending on the height of the ball. If you are kicking on the ground your plant foot will be about four inches deeper than the football. If you are using a one-inch tee, your plant foot will be about two inches deeper than the football, and if your tee is about two inches high, your plant foot will be about equal with the football.

10. Keep your hips and shoulders in line. When you approach the football, be sure to have your torso square. This will help you achieve a steady balance while kicking .

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13. COACH MIKE POPE EMAIL hawgtuffcamps@yahoo.com COACH POPE CELL 864 247 8394