The Importance of Football Kickers

The position of kicker is one of the most important in football. In a sport that prizes physicality and machismo, it is the only position where a single mistake can cost a team a game. Unlike blockers, snappers, and holders, who have hundreds of reps to perfect their craft, kickers often have very few chances to fine-tune their kicking mechanics during practice.

This is why it is so important for kickers to have an accurate and repeatable stance and to work on consistent distances. The distance a kicker steps back from the ball can vary depending on their size and leg length, but finding the best distance is important for consistency. It is also important for the kicker to use a smooth and efficient technique when preparing to hit the ball. This is why many players have to go through a long process of trial and error to find the right stance for them.

Another important aspect of the kicker’s job is to help their teammates in other aspects of special teams play. Sometimes this involves tackling. For example, during a punt, the kicker may need to help tackle the returner. This can be accomplished by turning the returner into other defenders or by pushing him out of bounds. Sometimes kickers are even involved in fakes and other forms of trick plays, such as the onside kick, which involves attempting to recover the ball after the kickoff travels ten yards.

Finally, a kicker must be able to make the big kicks when the game is on the line. This is especially true in the NFL, where kickers are expected to make 80 percent of their field goals and 90 percent of their extra point attempts. This means that a missed field goal can instantly turn a close game into a blowout.

It is for these reasons that the success of a kicker is such an incredible thing to watch. The NFL’s kickers have become more accurate than ever before and are able to kick the ball farther than ever before, thanks to better equipment, more training, more emphasis on special teams, specialized kicking camps, better kicking surfaces, and improved coaching. Kickers like Vinatieri, who is arguably the most clutch player in NFL history, are still getting better at their craft two decades into their careers, which shows that the position can be learned and honed over time.