Punting "5.0"-The Grip

Moving over to the punting side, the first thing I ask trainees when we begin punting training is "What grip do you use on the football?" The drop may be the major factor in a good punt vs a bad punt, but the key to a good drop is having a solid and consistent grip on the football.

Keys to a great grip:

• Control: You need to have total control over the football before you can execute a consistent drop. You should hold the ball exactly how you want it to hit your foot. You shouldn't have to guess or chase the football when you attempt to make contact.
• Ball angle/position: I tell the specialists I train to match the angle of the ball with the angle of their foot. The closer those angles match up, the cleaner the football will come off. You can also think aiming the point towards a large imaginary clock in front of you (Right footed punter should be 11 o'clock and Left footed punter should be about 1 o'clock). You also want to lay the ball flat or a very slight angle down so you can strike right up through the bladder (big part of the football) The laces should also be slightly angled (as pictured above) to allow for easy transition as your hand leaves the football during the drop.
• Wrist lock: Once you have the football in the prime position (slightly angled, tight grip, laying flat) you need to lock your wrist into place to avoid any unnecessary movement that will cause the ball to move coming out of your hand. 
• Consistency: Your grip must be consistent, otherwise the ball will be coming out of your hand differently every time causing inconsistent punts.

How do I decide which grip is best for me?
There are multiple ways punters from high school to the pros grip the football, and they all can be effective. Anywhere from on top of the ball, underneath (the "trap door" drop) or on the side (the "handshake" drop). Just be sure that your grip is the following:

1. Consistent: As I mentioned before, having an inconsistent grip will change the way the ball leaves your hand every punt in turn making you an inconsistent punter.
2. Easy/Natural position to get to: If your grip takes a lot of time to get to it will waste operation time and will cause blocked punts. It should be a natural position for your hand to sit in as well, rather than a very uncomfortable position that is hard to replicate. It should be very easy and quick to obtain, allowing you to save operation time and get off more consistent punts.
3. Firm/Tight: If you notice the ball often slipping out of your hands, it's time to tighten up your grip giving you more control over the ball movement and taking anything Mother Nature can throw at you (wind, rain, snow, etc.) out of the picture.

Which grip do you recommend?
I recommend the handshake drop (pictured above) to the specialists I train. It is a natural position for your wrist to get to, just like you are going to shake someones hand. The middle finger on the seam also provides a great landmark and can guide you quickly to the correct position. Next, it is very easy to obtain a firm grip on the football (eliminate extra space between ball and your hand), in comparison to the on top of the ball grip where it can easily slip out of your hand. Finally when you transition to the drop, you only have to worry about getting your pinky out of the way, vs the trap door drop (underneath) you have to get most of your hand out of the way of the ball coming down.

Try out different grips and find one that follows the major points I listed above, but most importantly is comfortable for you! These tips will help you have a more consistent drop, and become a more consistent punter if followed correctly! Any questions or comments feel free to reach out! Let see some pigs fly!