If you’re just starting to learn how to kick footballs at the Pop Warner level, or even at the high school level, and you’re between the ages of 7-15, this article is for you. It focuses on three fundamentals that you should learn early to help as you move into and through school.

It’s important to perform an extensive warm-up before youkick. You also need to make sure you have the right equipment before you start.  For a Pop Warner level kicker, I recommend using a 2” field goal block and a 2” kickoff block. I would also suggest getting a kicking holder or a tripod as they are sometimes called. Add in a few Pop Warner-sized balls, and you are well on your way.  

The first key fundamental is locking on impact. You want to make sure you lock your ankle and knee when you make impact with the ball, which should be with the big bone on your foot. Your foot position should be similar to a ¾ club in golf. Don’t turn too much, as then it will be more of a wedge kick, and don’t try to kick with your laces, as then you are trying your soccer shot.  (See Fig 1)

The second key fundamental in field goal kicking and puntingis kicking and skipping.  Allowingyour body to skip after you make impact with the ball will help generate morepower and control because you’ll be using your hips as part of the kick. A common mistake is when youth kickers kick and stop, or even go backwards after contact. When you kick and skip, you should finish a half a yard to a yard past the point of contact.

Remember you don’t have to finish straight down field. If you veer off to the side a few inches, that’s fine; it means you’re using your hips! (See Fig 2 & 3)

The third key fundamental is following through on your kick. Often times I see young kickers kicking and “punching” at the ball. They lack any true follow-through. As in a golf swing, you need to have follow-through to be consistent and even add more power. For field goal kicking, if you can get your leg past or near you waist after you kick the ball, that’s great! Strive to see if you can continually getyour leg higher. You want to start building your “stroke” at a young age. (SeeFig 4)

I recommend that young kickers make sure to have fun with kicking. Add some fun drills such as “rocket field goal.” Run onto the field with a parent or coach counting down from 10 and see if you can hit a last-second field goal. Or, simply try aiming at a field goal post to see if you can hit it. Make a game out of it with some friends and see who wins. 

In season, I advise kicking at least two or three times perweek. Getting kicks with your holder and snapper are important, but if you canget 20-30 kicks per session you are on the right track. Break up the kicking by focusing on punting, kickoffs and field goals on different days; try not to doall three in one day unless you have no alternative.

Don’t forget work on onside kicks, which play an important role in Pop Warner football. And remember, extra points count for 2 points!Your kicking skills can make a real difference to your team.