On Sunday evening I finished my last One on One Punting Lesson with Alex Groh. In 2007 Alex Groh was a 1st Team All-American Punter at Occidental College which is a Division NCAA III Institution.
He has just been notified that he is also on the 2008 pre-season All-American 1st Team.
Alex who attended Fountain Hills High School, lives in Fountain Hills, Arizona during the summer with his parents. Several months ago Tony, Alex's father, contacted me about working with his son this summer.
Alex had never had any formal punting instruction and was a little leery of getting coached. So we started with the minimum of two lessons just to get an evaluation. Alex experienced a lot of improvement from the first to the second lesson.
I believe Alex noticed the steady improvement he made from the first two lessons that he and his father decided to have Alex work a punting program during the summer on a weekly basis for the months of June and July.
During the last two months I stressed fundamentals with Alex; Drops, Walk and Drops, the One Step Drill, Get Offs and the Power Zone Punting Technique.
In Alex's very first lesson I asked him what was a good hang time for him. He answered 4.2 to 4.4 seconds. My response was, "what if I can get you to punt 4.7 to 4.9 hang times"... his eyes lit up.
Two weeks ago Alex hit his first 5.0 second hang time. On Monday, Alex punted several 45 to 50 yard punts with 4.8 to 4.9 hang times. He also hit two more 5.0 plus hang times.
In the first couple lessons Alex's handling times were 1.45 to 1.55 seconds. On Monday, Alex was consistently between 1.28 and 1.35 seconds.
This young man has made so much improvement his college coaches might not even know who he is the first day of practice.
The Two Amigo's or in Australia (Mates)
Alex, and my assistant (first mate), Shane Phillips (Australian Punter) also worked out a couple times this summer and have become friends. Alex was smart, if he ever goes to Australia he has a place to stay.
I must say it was a real pleasure working this summer with Alex Groh and seeing his steady improvement. I expect big things from Alex in the future. Alex still has room to improve and who knows what the future holds for this young man!
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