PlacekickerEdit
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Placekicker is a specialist on a American football team who handles the team's kicking duties, primarily responsible for field goals and the extra point after a score. The placekicker operates within the Special teams (American football) unit and works in concert with the holder (American football) and the long snapper to convert attempts into points. The position is celebrated for a combination of leg power, accuracy, and composure under pressure, and it has grown into a highly specialized role in modern football.
History
Early football featured kickers who often used a traditional toe-kick technique, and kicking was sometimes a less specialized skill than today. As the game evolved, teams began to prioritize accuracy and reliability on kicks as a strategic asset, especially in tight games where every point matters.
The shift toward a more specialized placekicker accelerated in the mid-20th century, with players developing more refined approaches and routines to improve consistency. In the later decades, the sport largely moved to a soccer-style kicking technique, which uses a more natural run-up and hip-driven contact, allowing kickers to generate greater power and control. The development of this technique, along with improved training and scouting, helped elevate kickers to high-profile roles on rosters and in game strategy.
Notable kickers from the early era include players who made the transition from multi-sport athletes to specialists. As the position matured, a number of kickers rose to prominence for their reliability in clutch moments, setting the stage for the emergence of two-way discussions about how teams should allocate resources to kickers, holders, and long snappers. Throughout the modern era, several kickers have become architects of their teams’ late-game outcomes, shaping the way coaches manage the end of halves and games.
Technique and training
Kicking styles
Today, the vast majority of placekickers employ a soccer-style approach, which involves approaching the ball at an angle and striking with the instep of the foot. This technique is valued for its versatility and consistent contact mechanics. Earlier generations featured toe-kick approaches, which relied on striking with the toe and could require different body mechanics. The choice of style impacts ball flight, accuracy, and long-range potential, and coaches analyze these factors when scouting kickers and planning game strategy.
Holder and snap
The holder and the long snapper form a crucial tandem in the execution of field goals and extra points. A precise snap to the holder, followed by a stable hold and a clean kick, is essential for successful attempts. Teams practice special teams coordination to reduce the margin for error in high-pressure situations.
Mental and physical preparation
Kicking requires not only leg strength but focused mental preparation. Kicking routines often include warm-ups, visualization, and routine consistency to maintain accuracy under crowd noise and game-day pressure. Leg strength, flexibility, and balance contribute to range and consistency, while confidence and routine help kickers manage anxiety during crucial moments.
Equipment and rules
Kickers work within the broader framework of American football rules, including the use of a ball placed on the field for kicks and a holder for the ball during field goals. The equipment associated with kicking—such as the football, kicking tee in practice, and protective gear—supports both practice and in-game performance. The evolution of practice methodology and analytics has influenced how kickers train, evaluate, and improve their technique over time.
Notable figures and records
Adam Vinatieri is widely regarded as one of the most clutch and durable kickers in NFL history, known for key puts in multiple championship runs and career longevity across teams in the National Football League.
Justin Tucker set the current official NFL record for the longest field goal in game play at 66 yards, illustrating the peak of modern kicking distance and accuracy under pressure.
Matt Prater held the record for a long field goal (64 yards) for several years, highlighting the progression of record distances in the sport. Tucker and Prater are often cited together in discussions of elite long-range kickers.
Morten Andersen, a longtime kicker who began his career in Europe and moved to the NFL, is noted for durability and prolific scoring, illustrating how the role can travel across leagues and generations.
Lou Groza, an early figure in the position, is remembered for helping establish the kicking role in its first generations of professional football, shaping how teams viewed reliability at the position.
Robie Gould (Robbie Gould) and Sebastian Janikowski are examples of later generations who combined accuracy with powerful range, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the position.
Role in team strategy
A reliable placekicker reduces the uncertainty of scoring opportunities, allowing teams to plan around field-position dynamics and time management. The decision to attempt a field goal versus going for a fourth-down conversion often hinges on analytics, game situation, and the confidence in the team's kicker. The placekicker’s performance can influence late-game strategy, playoff chances, and even the tempo of a game, since successful kicks can shift momentum and pressure onto the opposition.
In recent years, teams have increasingly relied on statistical analysis to assess field goal probability and to weight risks versus rewards in close contests. The effectiveness of a placekicker can affect coaching decisions in end-of-half and end-of-game scenarios, and the best kickers often contribute to a team’s overall confidence and stability.