This is the November issue of Punt Points, a monthly series of articles written by Mark Simon, former NFL Punter for the Denver Broncos.

Hopefully your hard work has paid off and playoffs are in the future! If not, it’s important not to let basic technique fail, and continue to be game impacting.

Coaches

1. Punters may start to lose concentration at this point in the season. Emphasize the mental aspects of when to directional punt, coffin corner punt, and fake punt.
2. During practice, have the snapper snap over the punters head. Work on “what to do” scenarios. This could save you during playoffs.
3. Go over the kicking game rules again.
4. Remember, if you’re in the lead, in your own territory late in the 4th quarter; don’t be afraid to take a long safety. Have the punter run /avoid as long as possible before stepping out of the end zone.

Players

1. The season seems long and your muscles are tired. You’ll want to swing harder to compensate for the “weakness” – DON’T! Instead, concentrate even harder on a good drop and CONTACT. The ball will take off better than ever.
2. Take charge of the punt and punt team. Let your teammates know a punt can make a big difference. Make sure you’re loose and prepared (e.g. towels, hand warmers) in poor weather conditions.
3. For very important games (playoffs/finals), ask your coach for film of the opponents punt returns. Do they have two men back? One back? Do they let the ball roll? If you can, customize your punt to match the return.

That’s it for this season. Take some time off to let your body/mind recuperate and start technique training in the Spring!

“PERFECT Practice Makes Perfect”

Author’s Credentials

Mark Simon is a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and holds numerous NCAA and school punting records. Below is a summary of his credentials.

Tryouts – Packers, Raiders, Falcons, Rams, Chargers, Patriots, Chiefs, Redskins, Dolphins

NFL – Signed with Denver Broncos 1987 – Member of Denver Broncos 1987-1989 – 41 yd punting average

NCAA – 14th All-Time in career punting average – 8th All-Time in Bowl game average –

National punting champion 1985 – Top 15 in season average – 1984: 8th ranked in net punting (41.9) – 1985: 1st ranked in average (47.3) – 1985: 5th ranked in net average (40.6) – 1986: 9th ranked average punting (43.7) – 1986: 3rd ranked net punting (41.2)

All-American – 1985: Scripps-Howard 1st Team – 1985: Associated Press 2nd Team Decade Teams – Member of WAC All-Decade team 1980-1990 – All-Academy Team 1985-1986

Western Athletic Conference (WAC) – 1984: 2nd Team – 1985: 1st Team – 1986: 1st Team – 1985: #1 ranked in punting average (47.3) – 1986: #1 ranked in punting average (43.7)

Air Force Academy – 3rd student to become NCAA National Champion – 2nd longest punt (83 – longest 84) – Best game average (53.6) – Best career average (44.4)

Misc. – 41 punts over 50 yds (25%) – 66 punts inside 20 (40%) – 2nd longest punt in Independence Bowl History