Biomechanics of Punting

Dan H.Tony B.

Ashlie S.

Skill Objectives To kick the ball downfield with maximum

height and distance

Skill Phases1. Preparatory

2. Wind up3. Force producing movements

4. Follow through

Preparatory movements Pt. I

Stance

Feet

Upper body

Knees

Arms

Preparatory Skills Pt. II

Receiving the Ball

Hands

Ball positioning

Ball Grip

Hands

Elbows

Preparatory Skills Pt. III

Ball Drop

Arm movement

Optimum ball positioning

Approach

2 or 3 step approach

Timing of approach

Hands are faced in

Wind Up Phase Pt. I Kicking leg

Hyperextension of the kicking leg

Knee: will be flexed

Planted leg

Knee

Foot positioning

Center of Gravity (COG)

Wind Up Phase Pt. II

Upper Body

Head

Eyes

Upper spine

Force Producing Movements Pt. I

Knee

Extension

Thigh

Flexes

Leg positioning

Straight line

Swing

Force Producing Movements Pt. II

Ankle

Relative angle of the ankle

Follow Through Stage Pt. I

Leg extension

The full motion of Punting

Muscle Action During Punting

Iliopsoas-flexes the hip

Rectus Femoris-flexes the hip

Sartorius-flexes the hip

Kicking knee

Hamstring-flexes the knee

Quad- extends the knee

Kicking ankle- Plantar flexed-gastrocnemius-soleus-flexor digitorum longus-flexor hallucis longus-tibialis posterior- peroneus longus-peroneus brevis

Standing ankle- Plantar flexors as above

Dorsi flexors-tibialis anterior-extensor hallucis longus-extensor digitorum longus

Common Injuries Associated with Punting

Quad injuries are the most common

Quad is most likely to tear when the punting let makes contact with the ball

The ball transmits a retarding torque though the leg to the quad, tearing it

Potential of injury can be changed by manipulating the mechanics of the ball

Like decreasing the pressure of inflation.

Sources Renner, B. (1997). Kicking the football: Skills and drills for

placekickers and punters. (pp. 67-117). Champaign IL: Human Kinetics.

Adrian, M., & Cooper, J. (1989). Biomechanics of human movement. (2nd ed., pp. 385-387). Dubuque IA: Wm. C.Brown Communications, Inc.

McGinnis, P. (2005). Biomechanics of sport and exercise. (2nd ed., pp. 322-326). Champaign IL.: Human Kinetics.

Murphy, A., Reilly, T., & Spinks, W. (2002). Science and football iv. (pp. 32-42). New York, New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=bChmAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA32&dq=football punt mechanics&ots=OOdQvGIbHs&sig=3OYaQDbF_wtGKlgyb6M4WttV2sk#v=onepage&q=football%20punt%20mechanics&f=false