Punt kick

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The Punt kick is one of, if not the most common style of kicking in football games. It is described as kicking the ball without the ball first hitting the ground. It is practised in many sports to some degree: Australian rules football, American & Canadian football, rugby league, and rugby union.

Australian rules football uses the kick more than any other code of football. This has led to Australian rules players to play for other football codes, particularly to become American football specialist punters (See Players who have converted from one football code to another).

[edit] Execution

To punt accurately and well, players need to have good balance and timing. First, the kicker points the ball in the direction in which he wants the kick to go. The ball is held at waist height and at arm's length away from the body. The ball is held at a 45° angle to the axis of the foot.

To kick with the right foot, the ball is held underneath with the right hand close to the body and the left hand farthest away at the top and the side of the ball. For a left-footed kick, hands are exchanged, right hand below the left. The hands create a channel through which to kick the ball. With the ball at waist height, the ball is released and guided down with the hand of the opposite side of the kicking foot. Contact is made in the centre of the ball, with the toes pointed down, just above the boot laces with the ankle extended and the hard upper bridge of the foot to impart full power.

Kicking on the run gives less control over the football; players are taught to slow down and steady themselves prior to kicking. The kick concludes with a high follow-through, with the foot above head height. The kicking leg should remain straight, and the toes pointed.