Canada's Josh Maveety

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Josh Maveety a combination kicker punter from Bishop's University in Quebec Canada flew into Fountain Hills, Arizona for some One on One Punting and Kicking Lessons.

Josh and Canada's #1 ranked punter and 5th ranked kicker Rob Maver worked out back to back for three days. These two big legged Canadians have a passion for kicking footballs and have a goal to be the best they can be and are here in Arizona to take their games to the next level.

Josh who told me that he is more a kicker than a punter has been asked by his team to also handle the punting duties. During the first session I observed Josh and could quickly could tell that this young man has an explosive kicking leg.

As I observed Josh punt I noticed he had an inside drop that caused him to pull many of his punts left. As you can see in the photo above that Josh's first step was inside causing him to also place his drop inside.

I introduced Josh to my Drop Progression and One Step Drills. He quickly started placing the ball directly in front of his punting leg and hitting some better power zone punts.

Josh was an excellent student in the video review sessions. I pointed out a couple of flaws in his fundamentals and mechanics. I showed him video of several drills and came up with a progression to help him repair his problem. In the photo above you can see the ball landing more on the top of his punting foot.

The second day Josh hit three SNO spiral nose over punts to his power zone and said he had never done that before. Josh turned over three punts that must have sailed about 55 to 60 yards with hang times all over 4.7 seconds. The key was placing and dropping the ball directly in front of his punting leg.

Josh was not a natural punter at first but eventually started to look smoother and punt with better tempo and timing. As Josh eliminated pumping the ball and throwing it to his foot his drop improved along with his consistency.

Josh has never been formally coached on punting or kicking technique. He is a cruncher when it comes to both kicking skills.

At the end of each practice we worked about 20 minutes on Josh's field goal kicking technique. As I mentioned in my Blog; Rob Maver, Canadians are allowed to use a one inch block when kicking field goals in college and the CFL.

Therefore when kicking off a one inch block the crunching does not effect a kick as much as when kicking off the ground.

When we started the One on One Lessons Josh was fundamentally more advanced on his place kicking technique. By the end of the lessons Josh had improved in both phases of his kicking game but still is a little more ahead with his kicking technique. Only because he is thinking way too much with regards to his punting technique.

As I told him and everyone else that comes for One on One Lessons. You learn the proper technique and drills to reinforce the correct muscle memory. The key to every ones improvement is to then go home and practice and in about three weeks everything starts to improve.

You start to think less about what your doing and just go do it. Proper drills and the correct technique and muscle memory will be the key to Josh's improvement with his punting and kicking technique.

Josh has a strong leg and kicked several balls over 60 yards during the field goal section. The key is for him not to try to kick hard. He needs to learn to kick with better tempo and timing and the consistency will then improve.

During Josh's One on One Lessons all the kicking and punting was video taped. The video review sessions were very helpful for Josh to see his flaws and correct them. He now has a personalized DVD of all the drills and teaching points for him to go back home to Quebec and to continue to improve his technique.

It was a real pleasure meeting and working with Josh Maveety and I wish him the best of luck this season.

Josh and Rob seemed to really hit it off during their four days here in Fountain Hills, Arizona. I believe the two Canadians have become friends and will follow each others football careers.

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Canada's #1 Punter, Rob Maver

On Monday Rob Maver, Canada's #1 Ranked Punter flew into Arizona for One on One Punting and Kicking Lessons.

Maver is the only kicker in Canada to be in the top five of both punting and field goals. The 22-year-old led the CIS in punting, averaging 46.12 yards per punt. And he was fourth in field goal percentage, making 78.26 per cent of his field goals. Both numbers lead the OUA.

The combination punter/kicker Rob Maver from Brampton, Ontario was named both a First-Team All-Canadian as one of the best special team players in the Country in the punting category and a Second-Team All-Canadian in the kicker category. This past season the third-year Political Science student averaged 46.12 yards on 67 punts and 55.17 yards on 35 kickoffs.

For three days the two big legged Canadians, Josh Maveety (left) from Bishop's University in Quebec and Rob Maver (right) worked on their punting and field goal kicking technique in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Rob contacted me months ago after finding my website (www.coachzauner.com) and checking me out on the Internet. In June he attended my PRO Development Kicking Camp in St. Paul Minnesota. At my camp I noticed immediately that Rob has a big time leg. I also noticed he had some flaws in his punting technique.

Rob, has aspirations of being a professional punter and is bound and determined to be the best he can be and take his game to the next level. During my PRO Development camp he liked my teaching and coaching philosophy and what I was teaching with my power zone punting technique.

Rob and I have talked a lot in recent months and knows that to be noticed and make it to the NFL he will have to take his game to the next level. He feels that I am the man to take him there.

So, for three days on the practice field Rob punted and kicked and for two nights at the Holiday Inn, Rob and Josh worked their drills. For both Canadians this was a business trip to get better.

Rob Maver Working My Drop Progression Drill

During my PRO Development Kicking Camp in Minnesota I noticed that Rob had a big leg but a very long three step approach and some very slow get offs. I mentioned to Rob that you can't punt in the NFL with handling times of 1.6 to 1.8. I told Rob we needed to train him to punt with handling times of 1.25 to 1.35 and total get off times of two seconds or better.

At the end of the first day Rob was killing the ball. He was punting the ball high and far. He hit six big time punts in a row with 4.8 to 5.2 hang times. I didn't want him to get a big head so I started to stress get off times. When I put the clock on him and stressed faster handling times he started to hit some stray bullets.

In the video review I pointed out to Rob what he needed to do to get faster. Eliminate unnecessary movement. In the photo below you can see Rob catching the ball into his body. That's a 'NO NO'!

He also was not timing up his jab step when catching snaps. He would catch the ball and spin it without moving then take three steps. That is also a 'NO NO'!

Rob Maver working my Jab and Catch Cone Drill

At the end of the second day we worked on Rob's directional punting technique. In Canadian colleges and the CFL the Canadian fields are much wider at 65 yards and the Art of Directional punting is very important.

We took Rob's power zone punting technique and incorporated it into his directional punting skills left and right. Once again Rob ended the second day of punting with six consecutive SNO spiral nose over punts to the sideline.

Rob Maver Directional Punting Right

Rob came to improve his punting technique and got a bonus. He also improved his field goal kicking technique. At the end of each practice we worked about 15 minutes on his field goal technique. In Canadian colleges and the CFL the kickers are allowed to use a one inch block.

Once again Rob showed a big leg and some excellent potential as soon as he hit his first kick. As he continued to kick I pointed out a couple of minor inconsistency's with his technique. He was a quick fix.

Immediately after I would make a correction, Rob would hit a better ball and feel a better kick and contact on the ball.

At the end of the One on One Kicking Lessons Rob was no longer crunching. He was kicking up and through the ball and transferring his weight down field with much better tempo and timing.

Rob Maver with Excellent Field Goal Technique

Rob ended the three day session with some kickoffs. He he some excellent kickoffs but I could tell his leg was getting tired. He mentioned he usually doesn't work on kickoffs until right before the start of the season. He looked pretty good to me.

It has been a real pleasure meeting and working with Rob Maver. He definitely has showed me why he is the #1 College Punter in Canada. I would hope that after our One on One Punting and Kicking Lessons he will continue to be the #1 ranked punter and improve his field goal kicking ranking to also be the #1 ranked College kicker in the Canada.

I would also like to see the NFL bring some of the top Canadian and Australian draft eligible punters and kickers to the NFL combine to compete with America's best. The NFL is always trying to go global...why not the the kicking world.

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PRO Development Testimonials

In my first year of hosting three new camps I am pretty happy with the results. Coach Zauner's Free Agent Specialists Combine in April had 41 free agent in attendance. Viewing the talent were Special Teams Coaches, Scouts and Pro Personnel Directors from (26) NFL, (4) UFL and (2) CFL Teams. View Video

July 2009 PRO Development Kicking Camp

This past weekend I finished my second PRO Development Kicking Camp at Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota. By design I want the camp numbers to be between 18 to 24 specialists. I would like to have (6 to 8) snappers, punters and kickers so they can work together in groups of three.

The camp is designed so I can work with every specialists and help to make him better. Each specialist is video taped in many drills and evaluated in video review sessions.

Click below to view the testimonials of Nick Novak, Danny Dutmer and Dave Peck. Hear what these three free agents specialists had to say about Coach Zauner's PRO Development Kicking Camp. College Specialists are not allowed by NCAA rules to give testimonials to endorse any camp.

In June Coach Zauner hosted his first PRO Development Kicking Camp. Also at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

June 2009 PRO Development Kicking Camp

Click below to view the testimonials of A.J. Schable, Ryan Dougherty and Niko Rechul. Hear what these three free agents specialists had to say about Coach Zauner's PRO Development Kicking Camp in June.

Next year I plan to host even more camps and clinics around the country to help out kicking specialists and Special Teams Coaches.

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July PRO Development Camp

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday I hosted my July PRO Development Kicking Camp at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. I had 17 kicking specialists attend the event. The perfect number of participants would be 24. I ultimately wil strive to have 8 snappers, 8 kickers and 8 punters so everyone works together in three man groups.

My original idea was to keep attendance at a manageable number of about 20 to 25 specialists. I wanted to make sure I could work with each individual or group and make sure they improve.

I have noticed and heard that many specialists go to camp and I ask them what they learned and the reply is nothing, nobody really gave me any individual attention.

In this camp everyone gets a lot of my time and individual attention. James Wilhoit my assistant does an excellent job also working with the kickers.

My idea for this camp was to have 3 specialists from one school come and work together or put 3 free agents specialists together and work to prepare for their fall training camps. The idea was to get better individually and as a team.

In my first year of doing these camps I did not get the groups of three players from any one University. However, I did get a lot of excellent specialists and they worked extremely well together.
Kicking Specialist Group - Nico Grasu (Washington State) Jake Webber (Portland State) and Nick Novak (Maryland & NFL Kicker).

Punting Specialist Group - Blake Hauden (U. of Minnesota), Justin Kucek (U. of Minnesota), Troy Cates (North Texas State), Alex Groh (Occidental), Phil Azarik (Bucknell), Derrick Frost (Northern Iowa & NFL Punter), Daniel Eidson (Westminster), Chris Husby (St. Thomas).

Long Snapping Specialist Group - Zack Abrams (Northeastern U.), Dave Peck (U. of Wisconsin), Justin Humphrey (Sam Houston State), Sam Scroggins (West Virginia State), Danny Dutmer (U. of Wyoming) and Kayl Anderson (U. of Kansas).

During this camp I try to cover as many aspects about kicking, punting, snapping and holding. Attending participants get to view all my private training and technique video tapes that are not available on my website; http://www.coachzauner.com/

I try to make sure all the punters know how to hold for field goals. In the photo above I am working with all eight punters showing them my tripod method of holding and spinning the ball. It has been a very successful technique for several NFL punters.

In the photo above Nick Novak is working a drill to refine his field goal technique. He is trying not to crunch as much on impact. In five practices Nick made a considerable amount of progress.
On Saturday evening Nick won the individual field goal contest. Nick was 7 for 8 on field goals inside 50 yards and in the bonus round he made field goals from 51, 54, 57 and 61. He finally missed at 64 yards. In this camp all field goal competition is with a snap and hold.

Phil Azarik a 6'3 and 215 pound free agent punter from Bucknell University had some very impressive punts during the PRO Development Kicking Camp. During competition Phil hit a 64 yard open field punt with a 4.89 hang time.

Also, during competition Danny Dutmer from the University of Wyoming had a excellent day during the 'Perfect' Laces Drill and also in my Ball and Strikes snapping drill at 15 yards. Dave Peck (Wisconsin), Justin Humphrey (Sam Houston State), Kayl Anderson (U. of Kansas) Sam Scroggins (West Virginia State) and Zack Abrams (Northeastern) all had excellent camps and improved during each practice.

I must say this was an excellent group of college and free agent specialists and I believe all the participant gained a lot out of attending this PRO Development Kicking Camp.

Once again my assistant James Wilhoit (University of Tennessee All-American Kicker) did an excellent job working with the kickers and assisting me with all the specialists. James gave an excellent presentation on the mental side of the kicking game.

On Sunday morning we finished the individual punting competition and progressed into team competition. We select two teams and had a battle of kicking specialists. I organized a game that I have used for many years with my kicking specialists when I was a coach in high school and college.

The guys loved it. Everyone was involved and everyone had to perform. Points were accumulated by doing their individual skill and bonus points were earned for an excellent kicking or punting performance.

The game came down to the final field goal kick. Nico Grasu (Washington State) made a 50 plus field goal into the wind with a snap and hold to give the victory to the good guys. The bad guys were the other team.

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Ryan Senser Evaluation

On Thursday a day before my PRO Development Kicking Camp I met with Ryan Senser at Macalester College for an evaluation. Ryan was in town for a couple of days. He was passing through Minnesota on his way back home to Ohio from the Seattle Seahawks mini-camps.

Ryan is a free agent snapper who graduated two years ago from Ohio University. Ryan was signed in the spring by the Seahawks but was recently released when they signed Bryan Pittman from the Houston Texans.

Ryan went through his warm up and snapping routine as I watched and evaluated his technique. I asked Ryan a lot of questions and he gave me some excellent answers.

Later in the evaluation I put Ryan through my 'Perfect' Laces and Balls and Strikes Drills. I also evaluated his ability to snap and protect. He did very well in all the drills.

I can see why the Seahawks signed him and understand why they released him. I know Ryan doesn't understand but it has nothing to do with talent.

It seems like all the NFL teams want a guy with experience. Like I told Ryan, how do you get NFL experience until someone or some team gives you a chance to be the guy. I had the same problem for many years when I was trying to break into the NFL as a Special Teams Coach.

As I watched Ryan snap I noticed a couple of minor flaws in his technique. We addressed the flaws with a couple of drills. Ryan was a quick fix. He tried a couple of adjustment and drills and received some positive results.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with Ryan and I hope the hour I spent with Ryan will pay dividends down the road and get him another chance with an NFL or UFL team in the near future.

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Travis Cochran USC

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday Travis Cochran who is a kicker at USC and his father, came to Scottsdale, Arizona for some One on One Kicking Lessons. Travis is a red shirt freshmen who transferred from the University of San Diego.

Travis and Tim Cochran

During the first lesson I just let Travis go through his warm up routine and kick. I observed and asked a lot of questions. Like many kickers Travis has kicking talent but has a kicking progression and warm up routine that causes him to a lot of bad muscle memory.

Travis started with the No Step Drill and immediately I could see he was a cruncher. I cringe when I see any kicker warm up using the No Step Drill.

When Travis started to kick field goals I noticed a really long approach. I believe it was 143 inches to the ball. It was the longest approach I had measured in years of giving One on One Lessons.

During the three days we worked on drills to 1) eliminate his severe crunching technique, 2) better foot position on the ball 3) his ability to kick up and through the ball and skip down field and 4) improve his consistency and distance on his kickoffs.

Travis has a passion for kicking and worked hard. He worked the mirror drills at the hotel and during his three day stay he improved in all four areas.

Travis also wanted to improve his kickoff consistency and distance. We worked on a slower and more consistent approach, his 'Perfect" plant and better foot position of the ball. I introduced him to a 2, 4, 6 and 8 step approach. We also addressed his severe crunching when he was doing kickoffs.

At the end of our three day kicking session Travis and his father told me that they had both learned a lot about kicking. Travis is eager to go back home and start work on improving his technique. As I told Travis and all kicking specialists, his improvement will happen two or three weeks after he goes home and practices all the drills.

I try to point out flaws and give all specialists drills to improve their technique. As a consultant I make people aware of a problem and recommend or suggest drills to correct a problem.

I believe Travis now knows exactly what to work on. It will be up to him to go back home and work the mirror drills and drills on the field and put in the time. I believe Travis and his father will be happy with the results.

It was a pleasure working and meeting Travis and his father and I wish Travis the best of luck this upcoming season at USC..."Go Trojans!"

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Mitch Berger Training in Arizona

On Wednesday I got back home to Fountain Hills, Arizona from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and on Thursday I was back on the practice field with Mitch Berger. Mitch and I have had a 15 year relationship ever since I brought him into the league with the Minnesota Vikings.

Last season Mitch Berger was the punter for the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

For the last couple of years I have again trained Mitch during the Spring and Summer months getting him ready for training camp. Last year Mitch was not with a team at the start of training camp but was brought into as Pittsburgh's punter, Daniel Sepulveda had a season ending injury.

Mitch Berger Punting in Super Bowl XLIII

On Thursday I was back on the field with Mitch working drills and trying to once again get him ready for another NFL season. Mitch is a free agent and like several other veteran punters waiting for an NFL team to bring him into training camp after some of the new rookies show teams that they are not ready for the 'Big Show'.

Like all punters and kickers Mitch has some tendencies that get him into trouble. In the photo below you can see Mitch dropping the ball inside his punting leg.

To correct an inside drop we worked my One Step Drill. (photo below)


Mitch also has a tendency to drop the ball with the nose up. In the photo below we are working my Drop Progression and One Step Drills emphasizing a nose down drop.


As all punters and kickers get older they sometimes lose a little flexibility. In the two photos below Mitch is punting and crunching.

Photo above Crunching (Side View) and photo below Crunching (Front View)

In the photo below Mitch is working a drill trying not to crunch and punt up and through the ball better. After two sessions Mitch feels like he is punting the ball with much better consistency.

Click below to listen to Mitch Berger's testimonial about Coach Zauner.

I will continue working with Mitch this summer and hope once again he will be in someone training camp or on a roster opening day.

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Jordan Fark One on One

On Monday and Tuesday I gave One on One Kicking Lessons to Jordan Fark from McKendree University. Jordan told me that he Googled Kicking Lessons and my name surfaced on the top of the list.

That means my wife, Michelle along with my website and media guru, Craig are doing an excellent job marketing my talents.

Immediately I could tell this young man had a strong leg. Jordan started his warm up with some One Step kicks and the ball exploded off his foot high and far. As he continued into some regular field goals and a longer approach he started kicking some stray bullets. I told him coaches don't like stray bullets.

We took a short break and reviewed the video tape to see that he was getting his foot and toe wrapped around the ball and causing him to hook the ball left.

We worked some foot position and drills emphasizing hitting the sweet spot of his foot to the sweet spot of the ball. I also tried to get Jordan to slow down his approach and try not to kick so hard. I told him that it looked like he's trying to kick the ball way too hard.

Jordan also was a little erratic with his step on his 'Perfect' triangle. His approach differed from 8 to 12 inches at times moving to the left and right hash marks.

The final day we tried widening Jordan approach on his field goals and kickoff and he liked the adjustment. He was hitting the ball with a better rotation and more consistency.

In the photo above we're working my kick and transfer drill. He also knows that he must work on kicking up and through the ball and ending down field under control and on balance.


It was a pleasure meeting and working with Jordan and I wish him the best of luck next season at McKendree University. McKendree is a NAIA School in Illinois.

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Sean Zeller Michigan H.S. Kicker

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday Sean Zeller and his family drove from Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in their motor home for Sean to have some One on One Kicking Lessons. Sean is a sophomore at Montague High School.

Sean's father Randy called me a couple of months ago and asked if I would work with his son on some of the basic fundamentals of soccer style kicking. And 'work' on the basic fundamentals we did.

In the photo above you can see Sean in the first lesson kicking some field goals. Sean approached the ball from a soccer style approach but kicked the ball with his toe like a straight-on kicker.

During the three lessons we worked some basic fundamental drills. For any kicker to have success and also for Sean we needed a consistent approach, a 'Perfect' plant and consistent foot to ball contact. We also stressed finding his 'Perfect' triangle and lining up his kicks with a target line.

Each day Sean got better. The video review sessions really helped for him to see what he was doing right and what he was doing wrong. At the end of his third lesson he was kicking a lot more balls with an end over end rotation.

Sean has a passion for kicking and now knows exactly what he must do to get better. He has the basic fundamentals and drills. Now he needs to go home and practice, practice and more practice. That is the key to every kicker's success.

It was a pleasure working and meeting Sean and father Randy. I wish Sean the best of luck this upcoming season.

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Ryan Dougherty & Eric Wilbur

On Sunday and Monday Ryan Dougherty flew into Milwaukee, Wisconsin for some One on One Punting Lessons. Ryan graduated from East Carolina and was also signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers for two seasons. Ryan is a 6'1 and 230 pound big legged punter.

Ryan attended my PRO Development Kicking Camp June 24 - 26 and liked some of the things we worked on. He called me and wanted some One on One work and flew up here to Milwaukee for two days.

I could tell that Ryan had been working diligently on some of my drills and showed improvement immediately during my One Step Drill.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed on almost every drop Ryan was cocking the nose of the ball upward. Sometimes the nose came down but more times then not the nose stayed up causing the ball not to turn over.

In the photo above you can see Ryan working on shortening his approach and locking the ball on the table quicker. On this punt you see a nose down drop and Ryan hitting a big 50 yard punt with a 4.8 second hang time.

During the two days of One on One Punting Lessons Ryan had some excellent punts. He launched one 60 yard punt with a 4.88 hang time and several other punts with high 4.9's and low 5.0's. Ryan was starting to hit more power zone punts with better get offs and more consistency.

Ryan now knows exactly what he needs to do to take his game to the next level. He has the talent. He can punt long and far. The secret to all punters success is consistency.

It was again a pleasure working with Ryan and I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of an NFL or UFL career.

Ryan Dougherty with Coach Zauner

Next Man Up Eric Wilbur

Also, on Monday and Tuesday former University of Florida Punter Eric Wilbur flew into Milwaukee for some One on One Punting Lessons.

Eric recently signed a free agent contract with the N.Y. Jets and was in mini camp for several weeks but was released a couple of weeks ago.

During Eric's warm up he launched some big hang time punts. I could see why the Jets had signed him. Eric continued to punt and I watched and analyzed his technique. I could see that he liked to drop the ball with the nose up and let the ball fall to flat. He drilled some excellent hang time punts.

However, as we continued and I started throwing him some snaps and as he dropped the ball his drop was staying nose up. He was hitting the back side of the ball causing his punts not to turn over.

We video taped everything. We took a break and I showed him the video. Eric also gives punting and kicking lessons and immediately saw the same things I was seeing.

I introduced Eric to my Drop Progression and Drop Zone Drill. We worked on his foot work and drop. He was a quick study and improved quickly. In the photo below you can see Eric working my Drop Progression Drill.

After Eric improved his power zone punting technique we progressed to directional punting. Once again we addressed how his foot work (inside step) was getting him into trouble. We once again went to the press box and watched some video.

When we went back on the field Eric crushed several 50 to 60 yard punts with some big 4.8 to 5.2 second hang times.

We then spent a little time working on the Aussie Drop Punt in pooch punt territory. Eric again improved quickly. We finished the second session working on Eric's field goals holding technique. As I told Eric you must make sure all phases of your game are at the top level.

Click below to listen to Eric Wilbur's testimonial after working with Coach Zauner.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with Eric and I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of and NFL or UFL career.

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Kyle Schlicher University of Iowa

On Saturday Kyle Schlicher drove up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Chicago Illinois for an evaluation. Kyle is a former University of Iowa Kicker. Kyle followed current NFL and San Diego Chargers Nate Kaeding as the Hawkeye kicker.

Like all evaluations I let every kicking specialists warm up and do his own progression. I watch, analyze and ask a lot of questions.

While Kyle was warming up I could quickly tell that he had some excellent explosion in his leg. During his One Step kicks he kick the ball high and far.

As he progressed and started kicking field goals with a normal approach he continued to bomb his kicks. However I did notice a slight change in his swing.

When he progressed to kicking with the ball being brought down he hit a couple of ‘Stray Bullets’. He pushed and hooked a couple of kicks. It appeared to me that he was starting to approach too fast and kick the ball too hard. His swing had changed.

Kyle is very knowledgeable when it comes to kicking. I made a couple of observations and he agreed. He also mentioned that he has not been able to kick as much as he would like and has got a little lax with his mechanics.


I told him he has an excellent leg and kicks a nice ball. He just needs to work on a couple of things and get one kicking swing or motion with a more rhythmical tempo and timing.

I told him I would like to see him at my Free Agent Specialists Combine next year in late March or early April.

It was a pleasure meeting Kyle and I wish him the best of luck in the future.

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John Gold & Stuart Kenworthy

On Friday and Saturday University of Texas punter John Gold and his mother and father (Dan) flew into Milwaukee, Wisconsin for some One on One Punting Lessons. John is a 6'2 and 205 pound sophomore punter out of the state of Texas.

John Gold with his father Dan

John was looking to improve his punting technique and decided to come to Milwaukee for some One on One Punting Lessons to refine his technique.

John punted and I watched, analyzed and took mental notes. I asked John a lot of questions and got some excellent answers. We video taped his punts and drills and reviewed them. I analyzed John's technique and noticed a couple of minor flaws. I suggested a couple of drills and John was eager to try them.

I introduced John to my Drop Progression, One Step and Catch and One Step Drills. John was a quick study and improved quickly. We moved from punting on the field to the press box to review the video.

The set up for teaching and learning at the Milwaukee Lutheran College field was excellent. Moving from the field to the press box and analyzing video and back to the field not only benefited me but all my kicking specialists. I felt like I was back home in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I believe John and his father were very happy with the results of the One on One Punting Lessons.

It was a pleasure working and meeting John and his family and I wish John the best of luck this upcoming season with the Texas Longhorns...Hook'em Horns.

John Gold (Univesity of Texas) and Coach Zauner

Also, on Friday and Saturday former University of Delaware punter Stuart Kenworthy flew into Milwaukee, Wisconsin for some One on One Punting Lessons. Stuart is a 6'2 230 pound punter that is looking for a career in the NFL or UFL.

Stuart has gone to one kicking camp several years ago but has pretty much been a self taught punter through the years. He felt that to make it to the next level he needed some refinement and decided to come to Milwaukee and spend time working with me.

Stuart is a big guy with pretty good form. However just like most kicking specialists there is always room for improvement or refinement.

After reviewing some video we went back on the field to work my Drop Progression, One Step and various other Drills. Stuart was also a quick study and hit some excellent power zone punts during each drill.

During the two sessions Stuart's drop and consistency improved. He was punting with much better tempo, timing and rhythm. He was also punting up and through the ball much better and finishing down field under control. He now knows exactly what he needs to do to take his game to the next level.

Click below to listen to Stuarts Kenworthy's testimonial on working with Coach Zauner.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with Stuart and I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of an NFL or UFL career.

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Derek Moore & Matt Alksninis

On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday Derek Moore was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for some One on One Punting and Kicking Lessons. Derek is going to be a senior at West Virginia Wesleyan College this coming fall.

Derek and his father Tom drove all the way from the east coast specifically for Derek to improve his punting and kicking technique. And improve he did. At the end of the four day One on One Lessons Derek and his father were very happy with his improvement.

They both also enjoyed going to two of the Milwaukee Brewer baseball games at Miller Park.

During his punting lessons, Derek's drop improved immensely and he was making better and more consistent ball to foot contact. He was hitting more SNO spiral nose over punts to his power zone. We worked many different drills during the four day session and the drills paid dividends. Derek finished the last two days working at the end of practice on his field goal technique.

Derek was originally a straight on kicker that has converted to soccer style kicking. He has struggled with his foot placement and foot to ball contact. He is working hard on a couple of drills to solve that problem. He hit a couple of excellent long field goals but needs to improve his consistency.

It was a pleasure working with Derek and once again I wish him the best of luck this upcoming season.

Derek Moore and Coach Zauner at Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Also on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Matt Alksninis from Curry College and his family flew into Milwaukee for some One on One Kicking and Punting Lessons. The family came to Milwaukee basically for Matt's One on One Lessons and also a vacation.

They also enjoyed the Milwaukee Brewer Games and all the activity that Milwaukee has to offer.

Matt and his father Mike

Matt is a former straight-on kicker that is trying to convert to the soccer style kicking technique. At Curry College Matt is the punter and is also trying to help the team out by handling the placekicking duties.

I told Matt that it is not an easy transition going from kicking straight-on to soccer style kicking mainly because of the kickers foot position on the ball. Most of the straight-on kickers still want to use their toe to lead into the ball.

During the three days of kicking, Matt worked hard to get the proper and more consistent foot position on the ball. Matt has strong leg! However, if he or any kicker does not hit the sweet spot of his foot to the sweet spot the kicker is usually very inconsistent.

We watched a lot of video and Matt knows exactly what he needs to do to improve his consistency. He is going to work hard so he can help his team out in both phases of the kicking game.

When Matt started to punt you could tell he felt much more comfortable with punting a football than kicking a field goal.

Matt quickly popped a couple of 45 to 50 yard SNO spiral nose over punts to his power zone and made it look pretty easy.

As Matt continued to punt I noticed his catch, mold and drop. I saw a couple of minor flaws and introduced him to a couple of drills that I thought might help him to refine his technique.

I introduced Matt to my Drop Progression and One Step Punting Drills. I believe Matt and his father Mike were very happy with the One on One Lessons.

It was a pleasure working with Matt and meeting his family and I wish him the best of luck this upcoming season at Curry College.

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One on One in Milwaukee WI

This week I have traveled back to my hometown, Milwaukee Wisconsin to conduct One on One Lessons with several kicking specialists.

I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to use the Wisconsin Lutheran College football field and press box for conducting my One on One Lessons.

Assistant Coach Mike Fossum has been very gracious and accommodating in assisting me with organizing this arrangement.

Even the weather has cooperated with cooler temperatures making this experience a success.

Milwaukee Wisconsin has become a family vacation for some of the attending kicking specialists with the Brewers in town and various Summer Festivals.

Wisconsin Lutheran College Stadium (Field Turf)

While visiting Milwaukee and taking lessons at Wisconsin Lutheran College specialists have been staying at three different hotel locations close to the game field. All are approximately a mile within the field.

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Holiday Inn Express - Approx. 1.7 Miles From Stadium

Crown Plaza Hotel - Approx. Three Blocks From Stadium


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