HOW TO PUNT A FOOTBALL PART 5: LEG SWING & FOLLOW THROUGH

Special Team Servant's Complete Guide to Punting footballs Accurately, Consistently, and with Proper Technique

How To Punt a Football: Leg Swing & Follow Through

Now that we know how to properly drop the football when punting, let's discuss our final topic, the leg swing and follow through.

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Let's First Focus On Our Leg Swing As We Take Our Punting Steps

As we take our punting steps, we are going to fall into our first step. At this time, we are not starting our leg swing yet.

Our leg swing towards the football will start as we begin taking our second punting step.

Drive off the balls of your feet into your second punting step and begin your leg swing towards the football.

Your body should be square and pointing forward to your target downfield.

Your Body Should Open Up As You Begin Your Punting Leg Swing

As your body is square and pointing downfield toward your target, your body should begin to open up.

The arm that does not drop the football should open up or reach outward, up and away from your body. If you're comparing to the hands of a clock, your arm should reach out towards the 1 or 2 or reach our to the 10 or 11 depending if it is your right hand or left and opening up.

Your chest should be big as you open up your body and prepare to swing your leg.

Your back should be arched as you open up your body and prepare to swing your leg.

Your hips should be pointed forward towards your target downfield.

Technique of Your Punting Leg Swing On Your Final Punting Step

The toes on your punting leg should be pointed from the start of your leg swing all the way through the punt.

You need to have great balance so you can control your body through the entire leg swing.

Your body should stay pointed forward towards your target as you swing your leg and punt the football.

You will lead with your knee as you swing your leg. Your knee will come forward, and your foot will come around after your knee crosses your plant leg. Remember to keep your kicking toes pointed forward!

You should aim to make contact with the football at knee height when you finally punt.

When you make contact, your toes should be pointed forward, and your leg should be locked.

Your Leg Swing Should Follow Through the Punt

After you make contact with the football, your leg should still continue to swing. This is known as your follow through.

You should keep the momentum of your leg swing going after you punt the football, and the follow through should be strong enough to lift your body off the ground for a short hop.

This ensures you are putting maximum energy and effort to and through the ball. In other words, this makes sure you are not holding back any momentum or energy, or wasting any energy by fighting to keep your body grounded.

Conclusion: Leg Swing & Follow Through When Punting a Football

Your leg swing will begin as you take your second punting step. Your body should be square and pointed down field towards your target. As you begin your leg swing, your body should open up. Your punting foot should be pointed, and you need to lead your leg swing with your knee. Once your punting knee crosses your plant leg's knee, you can begin to extend your foot forward. You will connect with the ball at knee height and allow your leg swing to carry through the punt and lift your body slightly off the ground to ensure the maximum amount of energy is transferred to an through the ball.

Now you know the proper technique to punt footballs Accurately, Consistently! The key is to hone your craft. Identify areas that are your strongest and areas that need to be improved. Make each practice purposeful and have specific goals related to technique for each practice!