Biomechanics of Punting Dan H. Tony B. Ashlie S.

Skill Objectives  To kick the ball downfield with maximum height and distance

Skill Phases 1.Preparatory 2.Wind up 3.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 ). Champaign IL: Human Kinetics.  Adrian, M., & Cooper, J. (1989). Biomechanics of human movement. (2nd ed., pp ). Dubuque IA: Wm. C.Brown Communications, Inc.  McGinnis, P. (2005). Biomechanics of sport and exercise. (2nd ed., pp ). Champaign IL.: Human Kinetics.  Murphy, A., Reilly, T., & Spinks, W. (2002). Science and football iv. (pp ). New York, New York: Routledge. Retrieved from i=fnd&pg=PA32&dq=football punt mechanics&ots=OOdQvGIbHs&sig=3OYaQDbF_wtGKlgyb6M4Wtt V2sk#v=onepage&q=football%20punt%20mechanics&f=false