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Replies: 10
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1st Rounder [644]
TigerPulse: 95%
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15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 9:43 AM
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My nephew is a pretty good soccer player, and is definitely good enough to play at a good college. He is an incredible athlete in anything he does. Over the weekend, he was saying how he thought he could easily hit field goals even though he has never tried. So, I took him out to the high school practice fields and had him kick for me to prove what he was saying. Off the grass with no tee (like they use in high school) he was hitting from both hashes consistently up to 40 years. At 40+ yards he was more sporadic, but hit several from both hashes.
So, my question is - how good is this for a kid with no practice or coaching, just lining up and kicking it?
Should he concentrate on kicking a football to get to college?
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CU Guru [1149]
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That's excellent for a 15 year old. You don't say what the
Dec 6, 2019, 9:54 AM
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nature of 'sporadic' was but reading between the lines I suspect it was his accuracy and not distance. Just a matter of practice/repetition really. Clemson has kicking camps and they pay attention to who is good. There are also kicking specific camps. My stepson went to this one..
http://www.kick-aid.com/
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1st Rounder [642]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 9:55 AM
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I did both for a few years in high school and had the option to do both in college while choosing to play soccer instead of kick. I think it's wise to keep doing both and only specialize late in high school if at all. You can easily but a lot of effort into improving skills in both sports. I think specializing too early can be damaging.
Hitting from 40 is pretty good, but important factors are things such as speed of approach (likely much slower when in a field by yourself which helps improve distance/accuracy), what ball he was using - official size footballs are harder to kick.
Also - playing soccer will only help to improve his leg strength.
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Clemson Conqueror [11664]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 9:55 AM
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I would think he must be able to hit from 45 yards consistently in practice, when there is no pressure. Anything less and he probably would not be able to do it in front of 81,000 people and a television audience.
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Orange Immortal [68088]
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If he can kick the majority of kickoffs through the endzone
Dec 6, 2019, 9:58 AM
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but only make about 50% of his FG attempts, he's apparently good enough to play for Clemson.
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Clemson Conqueror [11664]
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Re: If he can kick the majority of kickoffs through the endzone
Dec 6, 2019, 10:03 AM
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Good point. With the way Clemson's offense and defense have been operating in recent years, strong special teams don't seem to be very necessary. Spiers gets off a 35 yarder and our defense stuffs the other guys. Or the other punter blasts one to our 10 yard line and our offense then covers 90 yards before you can blink an eye. Punter and field goal kicker? I don't need your stinking punter and field goal kicker.
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MVP [527]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 10:00 AM
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Have him try out. If he can kick in the 25-40 consistently as you say, he'll be offered a spot on a school roster. The problem for a kicker at the HS level is getting an opportunity. I'd try to showcase him to the local coaches (not just his current school but other schools, public and private).
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Solid Orange [1367]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 10:02 AM
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The first question would be what does he want to do? If he wants to play American Football, then take advise from the posts above. Also, his dedication and commitment to practice will be vital. If he wants it, he will find a way.
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Varsity [249]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 10:12 AM
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Auburn has the best kicking camp in the country. Clemson’s is good. Auburn - they bring in Hall of Fame / Super Bowl quality coaches.
Kicking is all about foot / head placement and muscle memory similar to golf.
Good luck...
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Game Day Hero [4186]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question - just let him be a kid
Dec 6, 2019, 10:13 AM
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unless he really wants it
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Clemson Conqueror [11484]
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Re: 15 year old kicker question
Dec 6, 2019, 10:38 AM
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40 yards is pretty good for what I am assuming is a high school freshman or sophomore.
As some have already said, it's much easier to take your time and kick as opposed to kicking with a rush and trying to get it off quickly.
In saying that, nobody in college goes and grabs kickers off the soccer team the way they used to because of the change in how scholarships must be awarded.
If he is going to have a chance to be a kicker in college, he will need to be a kicker in high school.
If it is something that he really enjoys and wants to pursue, have him start working on punting as well.
The more skills that a kid has, the better his chances of being given a shot at the next level.
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