Over the weekend I had two good friends Britt Baumann (left) and Breck Ackley (right) visit Scottsdale, Arizona for some One On One Kicking and Punting Lessons.
Britt Baumann is a kicker that graduated from the University of Minnesota - Duluth and Breck Ackly is a punter that graduated from Southern University. Both are free agents.
Two friends that have dreams of kicking and punting in the NFL some day. They have a plan and are working hard to achieve that dream. As one of my former head coaches use to say, plan your work and work your plan. And my plan is to use my coaching technique which is A Natural Style of Kicking and Punting to help them with their plan.
Breck punted the first day and we video taped everything. I evaluated and analyzed as he went through his drills and routine. He didn't do many drills. He did a drop drill then started to punt.
As he punted I noticed a lack of good fundamentals. It was confirmed in our video session after the first lesson.
"No drills and lack of fundamentals, go figure!" I see it all the time in my business. Guys just think they can go out and kick or punt. There may be an exception to the rule but not often.
My game plan and Breck agreed was to get better fundamentals. I selected drills that I thought would help Breck with his drop and leg swing.
We started with my Drop Progression Drill. Breck had two types of drops and his drop was moving on him. He needed to work on consistency!
Next in the photo below, I showed Breck a drill to get him to walk straighter down field. Breck's first step was inside. Then on his second or final step he would push outside causing him to chase or wipe the ball. He hit some good punts but not on a consistent basis.
Below, Breck works on my One Step Drill.
Next, in the photo below Breck worked on stepping straight forward with his first step rather than taking a step inside.
I really stressed working straight up and through the ball rather than wiping it. I introduced Breck to an old Karate drill that someone taught me many years ago.
Breck was walking like he was on a balance beam and wiping the ball. I wanted everything moving down field. I wanted Breck's punting leg coming straight up and through the ball.
My teaching method of part whole - whole part was starting to work. Breck was stringing all the parts together and hitting more (SNO) spiral nose over punts to his power zone.
Breck now has a DVD and several drills to emphasize good fundamentals. I told him to go back home and practice. In a couple of weeks he will see even more positive results. He needs to get rid of his old muscle memory and with the drills acquire new muscle memory.
It was a real pleasure meeting and working with Breck and I wish him the best of luck in the future achieving his dream.
Click below to listen to Breck Ackley's Testimonial on working with Coach Zauner:
Breck has talent and potential. I believe these drills will make him better and more consistent. He needs to determine when he gets more consistent does he have the punting statistics or numbers to make it at the NFL level. Only time will tell.
Below is Britt Baumann... the Next Man Up.
Britt Baumann is from the University of Minnesota - Duluth. His former University will be playing next week in the Division II National Championship Game vs Northwest Missouri State. This will be Northwest Missouri States fourth consecutive season to the final game.
Britt did his warm up drill and started to kick, just like Breck. One drill and go kick? There seems to be a trend here. Two friends living together that think alike.
Britt has had very little instruction to date. And whatever training he's gotten was a little suspect.
Despite the lack of formal instruction and being from a smaller University, Britt impressed me right away with the pop on his leg.
In the first lesson I watched and asked a lot of questions. As I evaluated and analyzed Britts technique I was thinking how good could this young man get if he received good coaching.
Britt had some flaws and like Breck the flaws they have are all correctable with drills and hard work.
During the video review I pointed out to Britt why he was missing kicks to his right. Simple, he was aiming there. Britt like many kickers had a flaw in marking off his steps and drawing his target line. His approach varied and his target line was drawn on a consistent basis too far right.
After the video review we talked and Britt was here to get better and wanted to do whatever it takes to get to the next level.
The refinement process started in the second lesson. I taught Britt the proper way to do the One Step Drill. In the photo below we work the drill. Britt was a quick study. He went from 30, to 40 and back to 50 yards. He drilled several 50 yard one steps with ease.
During the video review I pointed out if he didn't crunch so much he could get up and through his kicks better and probably have more power. Again, he was a quick study.
Britt in high school was also a basketball player and on the tennis team. Being a multiple sport and good athlete Britt adjusted to my drills and instruction with ease.
In the photo below he was now kicking up through the ball much better and finishing his kicks.
The next and final point of emphasis was finishing every kick the same way. Start on balance and end on balance. By the end of the lesson Britt was perfectly on balance and kicking the balls right down the middle. (photo below)
When Britt goes home he has a couple of minor things to work on. I believe the points of emphasis and drills he has learned will only make him better in the next couple weeks.
If Britt can become more consistent which I think he can and if he has the mental makeup which I don't know yet. He could be a sleeper.
I worked a long time ago with a young man by the name of Adam Vinatieri. He reminds me a little of Adam with his kicking style and demeanor. Will See!
Click below to listen to Britt Baumann's Testimonial about working with Coach Zauner:
Breck and Britt, Britt and Breck. I confused their names all weekend long. Two buddies with dreams of playing in the NFL. The two are committed and are hard workers.
The two came to Arizona with talent and potential, but not many drills. I think now that they have drills to emphasize important fundamentals and a routine they will improve. How much they improve is up to them. The secret to success is hard work and dedication.
They both want to come back in several weeks and continue working with me. They were both a pleasure to have around and I wish them the best of luck and success in their journey.
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On Monday and Tuesday Chad Mitchell was in Scottsdale, Arizona for One on One Punting Lessons. Chad is 28 years old and is a former Texas A & M Tight End that has a passion for punting a football.
Chad worked hard to just drop the ball, with the nose slightly down and inward so the ball would lay across his foot.
I introduced my One Step Drill to Chad. Chad improved quickly on the drill when he just dropped the ball to the top of his foot. He started to hit a lot of (SNO) spiral nose over punts to the power zone.
