Regardless of whether you are in junior high, high school or even preparing for college or pro football, improving your kick and working to achieve the 'perfect kick' each time is important.
A bad kick can, in a single moment, completely change the fate of the game, or even the entire season, making it crucial that you do your best on the field. What is involved in achieving great kicks every time?
Honestly, there is no guarantee that you'll achieve the perfect kick, but there are some things you can do to improve your skill. The most crucial thing a kicker can do to improve is to add as many hours of additional practice as they possibly can. Beyond that though, you should consider HOW you are kicking.
Your foot should be alongside the ball, never behind it or even ahead of it. Your shoe's bottom should be parallel to the field as contact is made and you should kick with the side of the foot for best control.
Alright, so practice and kicking procedure, what else can you do to really step up your game? Having a mentor you trust that knows how to kick and can help provide feedback on your kick is important.
Don't have someone like that in your life right now? Consider attending a football kicking camp for additional coaching, and to provide a mentor that can help you do your best. What is a football kicking camp? Depending on the program you choose, this could be a regular lesson and session with a trained coach or even former-kicker, but the important thing is that it is designed to figure out what exactly is need to maximize your kicking abilities. The costs of these special courses can vary, but it is important to remember that not all kicking courses are created equally.
When looking for a reputable kicking camp, consider your coaches experience first and foremost. If your coach has never played a game of football in his life, or has never actually coached beyond his little 'camp'- this is more scam than anything. They are looking for an easy way to make money without really delivering anything worthwhile to you.
A good coach knows the game, has played it at the VERY MINIMUM in a High School setting for all four years, and can give you real advice on how to achieve the best possible kick.
If a program sounds too good to be true and offers to give you the skills need to have the 'perfect kick every time', you should probably pass. As good as it sounds, any realistic camp coach will tell you they will help you improve your skills but that the perfect kick is something you should always strive for, but you won't kick it perfectly every time.
Be sure to check out former-NFL kicker, Shane Andrus' Elite Kicking site for more tips on improving your Football Kicking Technique.
