On Friday and Saturday June 4-5, 2010 Eric Frieman and his father Adam were in Scottsdale, Arizona for Kicking & Kickoff Lessons. Eric is a walk-on kicker at Vanderbilt University. In the spring Eric tried out for the team and has been asked to come back in the fall.
Before the first football kicking lesson Eric informed me that he has never received any type of kicking instruction. Being an excellent soccer player he just goes out and kicks. He knows making field goals is his priority but he also realizes that he needs to have better form.
He also informed me that he made most of his field goals in spring practice but didn't kick the ball the same way on each kick.
Eric is like most soccer players that want to become field goal kickers. They have strong legs and natural kicking talent but as soon as they starting kicking a football they get a little robotic.
The simplest form of instruction from any high school or college coach is the statement to, "Keep your head" or "When you feel a crunch your kicking good."
These are the only two comments that Eric has received from people around him. As long as he puts the ball through the goal post most coaches are happy.
Eric wants more out of himself. He wants to look smoother and kick with more power and better consistency.
During Eric's two kicking lessons we went over basic fundamentals. We worked on his perfect triangle, foot to ball contact, eliminating the crunch and kicking up and through the ball.
In two lessons Eric was a quick study. The video review session was a learning experience for him. The flaws that I pointed out on the field became crystal clear during the slow motion and stop action video analysis of his technique.
I came up with a set of drills and Eric went back to the hotel and practice most of the afternoon and evening.
The second day it was like day and night. Eric and Adam both could see the transformation in his technique. They were both very happy with Eric's progress.
Click below to listen to Adam Frieman's testimonial about his son Eric's Kicking Lesson with Coach Zauner.
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