PUNTING

Pro Tips: From Former Edmonton Eskimo Punter Hank Ilesic

"Following through with your kicking leg to full extension after contact has been made, enables your body momentum to drive through the ball, this resulting in more energy applied to the football's movement downfield."

Stance

--Place feet shoulder width apart in a balanced, relaxed position.

--Non-kicking foot slightly ahead of kicking foot (heel-toe relationship).

--Bent forward slightly at trunk.

Ball Position

--Position the ball in hands with laces facing up.

--Hand of kicking foot is placed on the side of the back end of the ball, other hand is placed on the side of the front end.

--Ball is extended from body at waist level and is in line with kicking foot.

Contact

--Release ball with both hands at the same time to get a flat (level) drop.

--Lean upper body back to allow the kicking leg to swim through more smoothly.

--Meet the ball with full extension of kicking leg, with eyes concentrating on the ball.

Follow-Through

--Kicking foot extends straight ahead, leg should not swing across body.

--Plant foot leaves the ground as kicking foot swings through.

--Keep both arms out to the side for balance.