How to Punt a Football Farther and Higher
You punt a football farther by dropping the ball flat and level onto a fast, powerful leg swing, striking it on the top of your instep, and following through tall toward your target. Distance and hang time come from leg speed and a clean drop, not from swinging harder with a poor drop. A good punt hangs long enough for coverage to get downfield and still flips the field. Watch the drop, the plant, and the swing below, then use the drills and training to add real leg power.
What makes a punt go farther and hang longer?
Two things decide a punt: how fast your foot is moving at contact, and how cleanly you strike the ball. Leg speed is the engine. The faster your foot travels through the ball, the more distance and hang time you get, and that speed comes from your hips and a long, whippy leg swing. The strike is the steering. If you meet the ball on the top of your instep with the nose angled correctly, the punt spirals and carries. If the drop is off, even a powerful swing sprays the ball.
The drop is the most overlooked part. You want to place the ball onto your foot, not toss it, so it arrives flat and level every time. A consistent drop is what lets you repeat a good punt under pressure. Most young punters lose distance not because they are weak, but because their drop changes on every kick.
Hang time and distance can pull against each other. A slightly higher launch buys your coverage more time in the air, while a flatter, longer punt gains yards. Good punters learn to adjust the angle for the situation rather than swinging as hard as possible every time.
What are the steps of a good punt?
Break the punt into steps and each becomes something you can rehearse. The distance is built in order, and a mistake early, especially in the drop, shows up as a bad kick.
| Step | What to do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Catch and set | Secure the snap and set the ball in both hands at chest height | Bobbling the snap and rushing the steps |
| Steps | Take a controlled two-step approach toward your target line | Long, off-line steps that throw off timing |
| Drop | Place the ball flat and level onto the kicking foot, nose slightly down | Tossing the ball so it tumbles |
| Strike | Swing a fast leg and hit the ball on the top of the instep | Hitting with the toes or a slow leg |
| Follow through | Finish tall with the leg swinging up toward the target | Stopping the leg short at contact |
Rehearse the drop on its own until it is automatic, then add the steps and the swing. A repeatable drop is worth more yards than a harder swing.
Contact point ties the whole thing together. You want to strike the ball out in front of your body and slightly to the side of your kicking leg, so the foot is still accelerating when it meets the ball. Punters who let the ball drop too low or too close end up decelerating at contact, which kills both distance and hang time no matter how strong the leg is.
How do you build leg power for punting?
Punting distance comes from fast, powerful hips and a strong leg swing, and you can train both with resistance bands. Anchor a band around your kicking ankle and drive controlled leg swings that copy the punt, then add band-loaded lunges and hip flexor work to build the drive. Progressive resistance overloads the swing pattern so your leg moves faster through the ball once the band comes off.
P.R.O. Bands Resistance Training Bands
41-inch loop bands for resisted leg swings, hip drives, and lunges that add speed and power to your punt.
Pick a resistance you can move quickly through a full swing. The goal is fast, controlled leg speed that copies the punt, not a heavy grind. Speed on the band builds speed at contact.
Which drills add distance to your punt?
These four drills train the drop, the strike, and the leg speed behind a long punt. Start slow and build up as your drop becomes consistent. Always kick in a safe, open area.
Punting questions coaches ask
Where should the ball hit my foot?
On the top of your instep, the firm bony part of the laces, not the toes. That flat surface gives a clean, spiraling strike.
Why does my punt spin sideways or shank?
Almost always the drop. If the ball tumbles or the nose is off, the strike goes bad. Fix the drop before you try to swing harder.
How do I get more hang time?
Swing a faster leg and raise your launch angle slightly. More foot speed gives you both height and distance without over-swinging.
Do resistance bands help punters?
Yes. Bands build the hip and leg speed behind the swing, and they let you overload the punting motion safely between kicking sessions.
How many steps should I take before I punt?
Most punters use a two-step approach: a short jab step with the plant foot, then a full step onto the kicking-side drive. Keep it compact and on line so the timing repeats under a rush.
Should I punt for distance or hang time?
It depends on field position. Deep in your own end you want distance to flip the field, while near midfield you often want hang time so coverage can pin the returner. Learn to adjust the angle for each.
Add real distance to your punt
Train the hip and leg speed behind a long, high punt.
Tags: football, punting, special teams, kicking, leg power, hang time
