How to Punt a Football

Last Updated: October 11, 2022

A punt is a play in American and Canadian football in which the football is kicked down field to the opposing team in the hopes of giving the receiving team a more advantages position when the possession changes -- therefore, a successful punt should kick the ball as far down the field as possible while staying within bounds. In contrast, a drop punt in Australian rules football is a precise kick downfield, usually to a player on the same team. Whether you're playing American, Canadian, or Australian football, the techniques for punting the ball are very similar. If you want to know how to punt a football, just follow these steps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Punt a Football

1
Hold the ball out in front of you, with the laces pointing up. Grip it with your dominant hand as if you were going to give it a handshake, firmly holding it between your thumb and fingers. Extend your dominant arm as far in front of you as you can, continuing to hold the ball horizontally, with the laces still pointing up, pushing the ball out.^{[1]
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- Angle the nose of the ball to point slightly in the opposite direction of your dominant hand (if you're right-handed, point it slightly to the left).
2
Take two steps forward. Stand in a controlled open stance, with your feet about a foot (.3 meters) apart, with one foot about 4 inches in front of the other (10 cm). It doesn't matter which foot is in front. Once you've positioned your feet, you'll need to take two steps forward -- the first with your kicking foot, the second with your other foot -- so that you've gained some momentum while keeping your kicking foot behind your other foot. ^{[2]
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- Your forward steps should be smooth and controlled. Don't walk or run toward the ball; instead, approach it at a fast pace.
- Take two normal-sized steps. Taking stutter steps or long strides will make it more difficult for you to punt the ball.
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3
Kick the ball right after you drop it. The ball has to be dropped parallel to the ground so you kick it in the right direction. Kick your foot forward and drop the ball at the same time so that you kick the ball as late as you can, so you're almost kicking it out of your fingers without actually making contact with your hand. Kick your foot straight up so that it hits the ball dead on, instead of kicking it across your body, as many people have a tendency to do.^{[3]
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- Your toes should be pointed forward and you should kick the ball with the top of your kicking foot.
- Move your dominant hand away to the side, and lift your other hand in the air to help you follow through and gain momentum.
- You should make contact at the height of your knee.
4
Follow through. Finish the kicking motion, kicking your leg almost as high as it will go to maximize the ball's height and speed. When you're done kicking, plant your foot back on the ground. Then, watch in awe as your ball travels over the field.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Punt a Football During a Game

1
Stand 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
2
Call "Hike!" when you are ready for the play. This will tell the center that you're ready for him to snap the ball to you.
3
Catch the ball. If you want to punt the ball, then you have to catch the ball without letting it hit the ground first. If you fumble the ball or just don't catch it completely, then you won't be able to punt it.
4
Prepare to punt the ball. Once you've caught the ball, get ready to take two steps forward and kick it forward using the top of your dominant foot.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I punt the football without hurting your foot?

Community Answer

Find the most comfortable point of your foot and kick from there. Or, just kick with the inside of your foot and follow through.
Question

How do NFL players kick it so high?

Community Answer

They have dedicated their lives to training and gaining muscle strength. NFL kickers practice every single day they don't have a game.
Question

Do you kick it with your laces?

Commander2006

Community Answer

If you want it to go higher, kick it with the tip of your foot (your toes). If you want it to go farther, kick it with your ankle (or as you call it, the laces).