Emphasizing ‘A Natural Style of Kicking and Punting’®, Coach Zauner’s teaching philosophy facilitates an environment where kicking specialists develop the skills, technique, and confidence to achieve their maximum physical and mental potential. At an amateur and professional level, Coach Zauner, LLC programs and events provide a kicker, punter or snapper ‘A Specialist’s Path to PRO Football'®...Coach Zauner, LLC Mission Statement

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Danny Baugher One on One Lessons


Today and yesterday I had One on One Punting Lessons with Danny Baugher, former University of Arizona athlete. At Arizona Danny was an All-American Punter, a 4 year starter and established a new school & PAC-10 records. He had an excellent and outstanding college career. In 2005 at Arizona he had a 47.5 yard punting average with a 39.1 yard net average.

After watching Danny punt for two days here in Scottsdale I can see why he had all those accolades in college. He can really boom the ball!

He called me last week after being released by the Denver Broncos and wanted me to take a look at his technique. As he said in his own words, he wanted another set of eyes to check out his technique and see if I could pick out any thing that could help him improve his consistency.

On Monday Danny went through his warm up, drills and some open field punts. I watched his technique and asked a lot of questions and he gave me answers. In the first session I try to learn as much as I can about the punter or kickers technique including his mind set.


I learned a lot about Danny right away! First of all he was all ears. He was like a sponge, he listened to everything I said and absorbed it all. When I asked him to try something, he did it to the best of his ability.

Danny has now been cut by three NFL teams. He's smart enough to know that if he is going to make an NFL roster he needs to be more consistent.


My job will be to come up with a game plan that will make him a more consistent punter. After watching him punt and seeing how big of a leg he has, I just need to design some drills that will help him refine his technique.

After the first lesson and video review, I pointed out to Danny a couple of minor things I felt he was doing wrong. I showed him a couple of drills he needs to work on and master.


Today we went out and put him through a progression of drills designed specifically for him. He could quickly see the game plan was working.

Danny hit several 4.9 to 5.0 second hang times during the one step drill. Then proceeded to launched several 5.0 plus hang times during our open field and directional punt section. Danny's best hang time was a 5.21 on about a 55 yard punt.

After two day's of One on One Lessons with Danny I know he has the talent to punt in the NFL. I believe with Danny's talent and my coaching he will get more consistent.


Example from my past:

When I was with the Minnesota Vikings, I talked Dennis Green into signing Mitch Berger to a free agent contract, even though he had been cut six times by NFL teams. Mitch had a 'Big' leg but was a little fundamentally unsound. I felt that if I could work with Mitch on some drills and make him fundamentally more sound he would be a heck of a punter in the league. In two years Mitch was a Pro Bowl Punter.


By the end of the lesson Danny was punting through the ball and getting down field much better than when he began his lessons two days ago.
I believe if Danny and I work together this summer and get his fundamentals better, we will refine his technique and he will be a more consistent punter. He will not only make an NFL roster but be one of the better punters in the league.

Danny Baugher's comments about Coach Zauner:


Stay tuned for more of Coach Zauner's Blog!