Football Kicking Steps & Triangles

One of the first things I see beginner kickers do when they learn to kick is to setup a football using a football kicking holder, take 3 steps back and 2 steps over, and make a run to kick the ball.   We call these steps football kicking steps, and they are the foundation of a solid kicking method.

If you ever played soccer, and taken a goal kick or a corner kick, you can imagine that this ‘stepping’ ritual prior to each an every kick would have people scratching their heads like they were covered in fleas! Soccer players simply backup at a slight angle, then run at the ball to kick it.

There are very few kickers at the top level who don’t take these ‘football kicking steps’ in some form or fashion, so it seems like a natural thing to do. However, why exactly do we have this silly routine before each and every kick?

Consistent Math

Well, it really has to do with consistency…repeating the SAME kick over and over. Unlike soccer, in which each kick is very often somewhat unique and based on feel, we really only want a field goal attempt to do one thing (fly straight and true).

However, kicking a field goal has one other aspect that dictates the need for steps and that is simple math. When we step, we are doing so to begin each kick from the EXACT spot that we kicked the last one. Presuming that we made the last kick of course, it would be highly logical to reproduce as many aspects of that last kick as possible.

This means that we must find a way to get to that exact starting spot, the exact distance and angle from the ball, with every single kick.  That’s where the football kicking steps come into play!

So, the easiest way we can find both the distance as well as the proper angle is by stepping off a simple right triangle prior to each and every field goal attempt. Why a right triangle? It’s the easiest to reproduce no matter the location on the field.

In fact, we could be kicking a field goal from the sideline and easily step off our right triangle, no matter the steps we choose, so that we give ourselves the best possible chance to make that next kick!

So, next time you see a college or NFL kicker lining up for a field goal, pay attention to those steps taken right before the kick.  Whether they are 3 back and 2 over, or 2 back and 3 over, it really doesn’t matter.  Just know that there is a good reason for it.  Now, go practice YOUR steps and kick em’ true!