Thanks Team Zauner-Support Staff

I would like to give a big 'thanks' to the following group of committed individuals who made the College Senior Specialists Combine a successful event.

First to John Perla, Perla Sports Management for traveling from Wisconsin to give his presentation to the players with informative information in regards to dealing with agents.

Steve Hoppe for his tremendous organizational skills with the stats, information and Combine profiles.

Billy Khayat for his assistance throughout the day of the event; taking measurements, administrating the 225 bench press and not to mention the crucial task of running the stop watch.

Phil Grams, Digital Sports Video for his expertise and patience with editing the Combine video.

Lynsey Hoppe, the Athletic Trainer on the field and off the field a great help behind the scenes.

Thanks to Danny Baugher and Nick Sundberg for committing their time in working and speaking with the group of punters and snappers.

And last but not least, Craig Kasnoff for his expertise with the website; www.coachzauner.com and coordinating the photography and video crew to ensure everything was running smoothly.

I understand the demands it takes to run a successful event and I know without Team Zauner and the support staff this would not have been accomplished! THANK YOU.

Now our focus goes to the 2nd Annual Free Agent Combine...

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Photos from the 1st Annual Coach Zauner College Senior Specialists Combine

Zauner at 2010 NFL Combine

Temperature in Indy 31 degrees and flurries... COLD

On Thursday evening I headed over to meet the NFL Special Teams Coordinators prior to their dinner to distribute the DVD’s and results from my 1st Annual College Senior Specialists Combine. It has become a custom for the winning Special Teams Coordinator from the Super Bowl to buy dinner for all the 31 other Special Teams Coordinators and assistant Special Teams Coaches.

I made my greetings along with distributing the Combine information and talked to many about the upcoming Free Agent Combine scheduled for March 27-28, 2010. I have confirmations from nearly every NFL Team that someone within their organization will be in attendance.

After the meeting I was on a mission to network with as many NFL Management, GM’s, Head Coaches, Directors of Pro and College Scouting at the Marriott and Westin Hotels.

Friday morning was a busy time getting everything ready to attend the Agents yearly meeting held over at the Convention Center. I spent most of the morning talking to agents and distributing information about the 2nd Annual Free Agent Combine. Time well spent networking with several agents.

During the week I had attempted to call every kicking specialists that was in attendance at the College Senior Specialists Combine to give them my personal evaluation about their skill level and to listen to their feedback and comments.

On Friday afternoon I finished up my calls. Everyone seemed to respect my evaluation. Many were disappointed with their performances and said they were very nervous. Several mentioned they had never competed in a venue with such a large group of high caliber talent.

Friday evening it was time to meet up and say 'hi' to many of my coaching buddies from around the league. Many of my coaching friends with the Vikings and Ravens who are now scattered around the league with various teams... so goes life in the NFL.

Friday night I met up with former Vikings Head Coach Mike Tice and Dean Dalton exchanging some great stories. When i was coaching with the Vikings Mike was our tight ends coach and Dean was our running backs coach. Mike is now coaching with the Chicago Bears and Dean is doing TV shows back in Minnesota in addition to some Sirius NFL radio spots.

Friday evening Dean invited me -as a guest- on the Saturday Sirius Satellite Radio show which was being broadcast live from the NFL Combine.

Saturday I headed over to the NFL Combine Headquarters, Lucas Oil Dome for the Sirius NFL radio gig with Dean. Dean was teamed up with Ross Tucker on Sirius NFL Radio at the Combine and invited me on their morning show to talk about the eight specialists invited to the NFL Combine and evaluate their performances.

Bill Polian, GM of the Indianapolis Colts

After my interview I spent the rest of the day talking to several GM’s, Head Coaches and Special Teams Coordinators about my College Combine and Free Agent Combines in addition to possible future plans.

I had excellent conversations with GM Bill Polian (Colts), GM Jeff Ireland (Dolphins), GM Thomas Dimitroff (Falcons), GM Mark Dominik (Buccaneers), GM Scott Pioli (Chiefs), Head Coach Andy Reid (Eagles), Head Coach Norv Turner (Chargers), Head Coach Mike Smith (Atlanta), and Special Teams Coordinators Mike Westhoff (Jets), Steve Hoffman (Chiefs), and Super Bowl Champions Greg McMahon (Saints).

After seven hours of networking at the NFL Combine and talking about my future plans and getting their very positive reactions and feedback I was headed back to the hotel.

I received some excellent feedback and ideas from everyone resulting in me being on a natural high all day long talking about kicking and Combines. Everyone acknowledged that I have a passion for what I am doing and favored my ideas of thinking out of the box.

Running the two day Combine in Phoenix, editing video, preparing DVD’s, flying to Indy and networking for four days I can say one thing, 'I am exhausted!' It will be so nice to get back to Arizona... home sweet home.

I want to not only thank but let everyone know throughout the last couple of weeks my wife, Michelle has been the rock along with the Team Zauner support staff. She has spent an unbelievable amount of hours organizing the College Senior Specialists Combine and putting out numerous fires... she is simply the best!

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Coach Z's Combine to NFL Combine

My 2010 College Senior Specialists Combine came to a close on Sunday, February 21, under fairly sunny and blue Arizona skies. However, that was about the only time during the two day event the 63 kicking specialists were treated to any sunshine.

But for the most part, the kicking specialists who came to the Combine, dealt with these adverse conditions. Due to morning showers even the snappers had to make adjustments and snap on a hardwood floor instead of a turf field.

As someone who has been teaching kicking for over 35 years -including 13 years as an NFL Special Teams Coordinator- I have coached and evaluated kicking specialists in all weather conditions and workout scenarios.

For me, evaluating the talent in this Combine in the midst of the inclement weather, is still evaluating talent, regardless of the weather or venue. Difficult weather conditions are simply part of the game. Those who play professional football already know this. Those aspiring to play professional football need to realize and accept it. And that is simply a fact.

However, what is most important to understand is that cloudy or rainy skies -or any weather conditions for that matter- cannot, and will not, obscure true talent. Not the kind of talent it takes to get into professional football.

I was very pleased during this event, that a number of kicking specialists proved their ability regardless the temperamental weather conditions. Kicking specialists who I believe have the talent to be signed as a Priority Free Agents in the NFL, CFL or UFL. Specialists signed for training camps and given an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

I have posted their College Senior Specialists Combine workout videos and stats to my web page; www.coachzauner.com.

In addition to posting their workouts to my website, I have taken a DVD, which includes the results and a highlight video of these top specialists to the NFL Combine, and have delivered them to all 32 NFL Special Teams Coordinators. I also gave copies to General Managers and Directors of College Scouting in addition to other team personnel on Friday and Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium during the players workouts.

I will also be sending the DVD and results to teams and representatives of the CFL, UFL and Arena League.


The Three Levels of Evaluation:

My evaluation of the participants of this College Senior Specialists Combine was based on their performance in a competitive format. I also factored in how they handled the adverse weather conditions. All of the specialists competed in the same weather conditions. This made it a level playing field. The weather factor also gave me the opportunity to gain insight in evaluating their ability to adjust to challenging conditions. A players’ ability to adjust to the unknown reflects the importance of the ‘mental side of the game’.

I created three Group levels of evaluation results for this event: I categorized the specialists into three groups:

Group 1) Specialists I believe currently have the skills and talent to be in a NFL, CFL or UFL training camp and compete for a roster spot.

Group 2) Those Specialists I believe need to improve their technique, consistency or increase their size and strength, but have the potential to eventually be in professional football. However for these specialists to achieve their potential, it means they need to take the correct steps to improve, and not just any steps. As Legendary Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi once said “Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, PERFECT Practice Makes Perfect.”

Group 3) Specialists who would have a very difficult time making an a professional football roster. This does not mean these specialists could not make an roster. That is not for me to say. It just means that these individuals will have to be especially committed to reach their goal, and will have to work especially hard to achieve it. However, this does not mean they should not continue to pursue their dream. As -an legendary NCAA Basketball Coach and motivational speaker- Jim Valvano so aptly said, “Never Give Up! Failure and Rejection Are Only The First Step to Succeeding…”


As I said earlier, I have posted the results and videos of specialists from Group 1 to my website; www.coachzauner.com and to the DVD, and I have taken both to the NFL Combine. I will not be posting any information -video or stats- of Groups 2 or 3.

Also,it was my goal to all the specialists who attended this Combine to discuss my evaluation with them.

As a final note, I would like to say I know what it is like to be a young man pursuing the dream of being in the NFL. And I know what it is like to experience both the joy and the pain of that journey.

For some, the results of this Combine will bring feelings of joy and satisfaction. For others, it will yield a sense of frustration and pain.

Tomorrow I will be attending the kicking specialists workout at the NFL Combine and will be evaluating the individuals the NFL invited and compare them to the 63 specialists that attended my College Senior Specialists Combine. It will be very interesting to compare the two groups.

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Blake Feagles One on One Punting

On Monday New York Giants Veteran Punter Jeff Feagles brought his youngest son Blake back to his home town of Phoenix, Arizona for a One on One Punting Lesson with Coach Zauner.

Jeff Feagles was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from a local high school and attended Scottsdale Community Junior College where he was an outstanding punter. He received a full scholarship from the University of Miami.

My Goggle search gave me these facts:

Jeffrey Allan Feagles (born March 7, 1966 in Anaheim, California) is an American football punter for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1988. He played college football at the University of Miami.

Feagles is known for using the "coffin corner" punt. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 1995 and 2008 and won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

Early years:
Feagles attended Gerard High School in Phoenix, Arizona and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball.

College career:
Following a single season at Scottsdale Community College[1], Feagles played college football at the University of Miami, joining the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity during his time as an undergraduate. He won a national championship with their 1987 team.

Feagles was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame at its 40th Annual Banquet on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at Miami's Jungle Island.

As a youngster, Jeff attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Scottsdale Arizona.

Professional career:
2007 marked Feagles' 20th NFL season. Prior to his affiliation with the New York Giants, he played for the New England Patriots, the Philadelphia Eagles (Jeff Feagles of the Eagles), the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks.

He was a member of the New York Giants in their Super Bowl XLII win over the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008; it was the first Super Bowl of his 20 year career. Feagles called 'tails' at the coin toss, with the coin tossed by Ronnie Lott landing in the Giants' favor paving the way for a 9:59 opening drive, the longest in Super Bowl history culminating with a 32 yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes. At 41 years, 10 months, 26 days of age, he was the oldest player to have played in a Super Bowl, until the Colts' Matt Stover participated in 2010 (42 years, 11 days old).[2]

Prior to the start of Giants mini-camp in May, Jeff and his fellow teammates were invited by President Bush to the White House to honor their victory in Super Bowl XLII.[3] Feagles earned his second career selection to the Pro Bowl in 2008.

Records
On November 27, 2005, Feagles broke the NFL record for consecutive games played, with 283. The record was previously held by Minnesota Vikings lineman Jim Marshall who played from 1960 to 1979. His record continues, standing at 352[5] through the end of the 2009 NFL season. He and Saints placekicker John Carney are the last remaining NFL players from the 1980s, and the last remaining players who were featured in the seminal Tecmo Super Bowl video game. Feagles has appeared in one NFL game a week (excluding bye weeks) since Ronald Reagan was President.

Through the end of the 2009 NFL season, Feagles holds the following NFL records:

Most consecutive games played, career: 352[5] (streak still active)
Most punts, career: 1,713[5]
Most punts inside the 20, career: 497[5]
Most punting yards, career: 71,211[5]

Blake Feagles One on One Lesson:

Jeff had called me a couple of weeks ago asking if I would work with his two sons Blake and C. J. He had talked to former Chicago Bears Kicker, Kevin Butler and Kevin mentioned that he had brought his son Drew to Scottsdale, Arizona for some One on One Punting Lessons last spring.

Drew Butler has mentioned to me that his goal was to be the starting punter at Georgia last spring. He exceeded his goal and was not only the starting punter but received the prestigious 'Ray Guy' Award as a sophomore punter.

Drew and C. J. Feagles are friends. C. J. who is attending the University of North Carolina mentioned to his father that he would like to work with me.

Since Jeff was coming back home to Phoenix to visit his family he decided to have his youngest son Blake work with me on this trip and C.J. would come out on the next trip in March.

During my One on One Punting Lesson with Blake, his father Jeff was on the other end of field watching and shagging balls most of the time. Jeff wanted his son to have a private lesson with someone else rather than his dad.

Jeff mentioned that both of his son's had the same problem with them both taking a dramatic first step inside. In the photo below you can see Blake's footwork. Jeff wanted my opinion on how to fix both his son's problem.

After watching Blake go through some of his drills and hitting a couple of punts I knew exactly how to fix the problem. I introduced Blake to my Drop Progression and One Step Drills.

I explained to Jeff and Blake my Power Zone Punting Technique philosophy. Even though Jeff doesn't use the term Power Zone he knew exactly what I was talking about.

Jeff Feagles like Gary Anderson and Kevin Butler have tried to coach their sons but sometimes kids are kids. They don't want to listen to their parents no matter how right they might be.

So for a couple of hours Jeff who is one of the nicest guys anyone could ever meet watched and listened and let Blake experience somebody else's coaching technique.

Blake was a pleasure to work with and was a quick study. He watched and listened and worked each drill diligently. Once he got the hang of my drills he started to hit some excellent spiral nose over Power Zone Punts.

When his footwork started to improve he was in much better position to punt up and through the ball. Punters with poor footwork usually walk on the balance beam and try to wipe a spiral punt causing them to be inconsistent.

After our One on One Punting Lesson we went back to my office and reviewed the video. I tried to explain my teaching philosophy and gave Blake some drills and a progression to fix his footwork problem.

At the end of the lesson Blake said he learned a lot and appreciated me taking my time to work with him.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with Blake. With hard work Blake will resolve his footwork problem. The key to any kicker or punters success is hard work and repetition. Blake has to correct the muscle memory of stepping inside and use what I call a drift approach. The Drills will help Blake to achieve new muscle memory and take his punting game to the next level.

Jeff Feagles Practice Video:

I have never worked with Jeff Feagles but have admired his technique. He was an artist when it came to directional and pooch punting. As I listed from his BIO above he holds several NFL punting records. Below is a short video clip that Jeff gave me to put on my website for young punters to view his punting technique.

I would also like to thank Jeff Feagles for giving me this video and giving me a chance to work with his son Blake.

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College Senior Specialists Combine

Coach Zauner Launches 1st Annual College Senior Specialists Combine In Phoenix, Arizona

In An Effort To Help Talented College Senior Kicking Specialists To Be Seen By The NFL, Coach Zauner Is Conducting His 1st Annual College Senior Specialists Combine In Phoenix, Arizona, February 20-21, 2010.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) February 13, 2010 -- The 1st Annual Coach Zauner College Senior Specialists Combine will be conducted in Phoenix, Arizona, February 20-21, and is currently scheduled to showcase a collection of over 60 of the country’s top college kicking specialists from all college divisions, that have not been invited to the NFL Combine.

Coach Zauner, a former 13 year NFL Special Teams Coordinator, who is considered by many to be the best kicking coach in the country, says he has always wanted to create an event that would assist top college senior kicking specialists to get exposure to NFL teams and Directors of College Scouting. Especially those not invited to the NFL Combine.

“I am hosting a College Senior Specialists Combine as it is my experience the best kicking specialist talent is not always seen at their College Pro Day, or showcased at the NFL Combine,” says Zauner.

Zauner says an example of this is when he attended the NFL Combine in 2008. “At the event, I was immediately struck by the lack of quality kicking specialists showcased there,” he says. Adding, “after the event was over, I left thinking about all the quality kicking specialist talent available throughout the country that should have been invited but were not.”

In fact, Zauner says at that time, he was working and training two kicking specialists who he believed had much more talent than anyone he had seen at the NFL Combine; kicker Garrett Hartley, University of Oklahoma and punter Brett Kern, University of Toledo.

It would turn out that the 2008 NFL season proved Zauner to be right. As did this year’s Super Bowl.

Zauner says during the season, the Denver Broncos called and asked him to find them a young kicker and punter. He says he recommended both Hartley and Kern, and the Broncos signed both specialists to Free Agent Contracts.

Kern made the team and Hartley was released before training camp due to the 80 man roster rule. Hartley later signed with the New Orleans Saints and played 8 games in which he was a perfect 13 for 13 in the 2008 season.

In this year’s Super Bowl, Hartley made Super Bowl history by kicking three 40 plus yard field goals.

Today, both are still on NFL rosters.

Hartley and Kern weren’t the only kicking specialists, not invited to the NFL Combine, who signed NFL contracts that year. In fact six kicking specialists, not invited to the NFL Combine, were either drafted or signed as Free Agents and made NFL rosters.

Zauner says it’s important to note that only two kicking specialists invited to the 2008 NFL Combine, did in fact make an NFL roster that year! Neither made it through the season. And neither is playing today.

“I don’t know why so much kicking specialist talent is overlooked and therefore not invited to the NFL Combine,” says Zauner. “Perhaps it is because there is a general lack of knowledge of what qualities, technique and personality it takes to be an NFL kicking specialist.”

But according to some of the biggest names in professional football, what others may lack, Coach Zauner has.

Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian recently said, “Coach Zauner has demonstrated he has a reputation for evaluating and finding kicking specialist talent of NFL caliber. His Combines certainly have the potential to discover -or rediscover- quality kicking specialist talent that might otherwise go unnoticed by professional football teams."

That is exactly Zauner’s goal; to bring attention to those kicking specialists who might otherwise be overlooked.

Zauner says organizing his first College Senior Specialists Combine has taken quite a bit of time and effort over a period of a few months, but he felt it was a great investment that will pay off for all those attending the event, and for the NFL teams.

Zauner says he wants to make it perfectly clear, it is against NFL rules to have any NFL coach or scout at an event like this, so he will personally take a DVD -which includes the results and highlight video of those specialists he thinks have NFL potential- and hand deliver this information to as many of the NFL Special Teams Coaches and Directors of College Scouting in attendance at the NFL Combine, that he can.

“Whether it is by personal contact at the NFL Combine, or by mail, every NFL team will receive a copy of the results and the video,” says Zauner. ”The best kicking specialists deserve to be seen by the NFL, and the NFL deserves to have the best kicking specialists on the field on game day. I want to make whatever contribution I can to make that happen.”

Zauner says following the College Senior Specialists Combine, highlight video of the best potential NFL prospects will also be posted to his website CoachZauner.com (unless a participant makes a request to not have their video posted).

Click here for information about Coach Zauner’s College Senior Specialists Combine.

To follow the College Senior Specialists Combine, Zauner will be hosting his 2nd Annual Free Agent Specialists Combine in Phoenix, Arizona March 27-28.

Last year 41 kicking specialists showcased their skills in front of 32 professional football teams including 26 National Football League (NFL), two Canadian Football League (CFL) and four United Football League (UFL) teams. Of the 41 specialists who attended, 17 were signed to NFL, CFL or UFL contracts.

Click here for more information about Coach Zauner’s Free Agent Specialists Combine

For more information about Coach Zauner go to:

www.CoachZauner.com

Contact information:

Coach Gary Zauner
Professional Kicking, Punting, Snapping and Special Teams Consultant
Coach Zauner, LLC
612.239.9529

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Bryson Rose & Brian Brooks

This past weekend on Saturday and Sunday former University of Louisville Kicker, Brian Brooks and Bryson Rose who is competing for the starting kicking job at (Ole Miss) were in Scottsdale, Arizona for Kicking Lessons.

Bryson Rose is in Scottsdale, Arizona preparing for spring football practice and to compete for the starting kicking position at Ole Miss. Graduating Ole Miss kicker, Joshua Shene who will be attending my College Senior Specialists Combine next weekend has just graduated and the position is open for competition. Bryson will be competing with two other kicking specialists for the starting job.

Bryson is a good kicker and needs a little work to refine his technique. With the use of my Canon camera during his practice sessions we were given valuable video information to address and clear up a couple of minor kicking problems.

Bryson in the photo above had a slight problem aiming all his kicks too far to the right. In the photo below Bryson worked on his target line an trying to kick up and through the ball.

After the video review on Saturday Bryson knew exactly what he needed to do to take his game to the next level. On Sunday Bryson was a quick study and improved very quickly on all phases of his kicking game. He ended the Kicking Lesson nailing about six field goals directly down the middle from all parts of the field.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with Bryson and I wish him the best of luck this year at Ole Miss winning the kicking job.

Next, was Brian Brook former Louisville Kicker:

Brian was a trooper! His flight was cancelled on Thursday because of the snow storm back east. He rescheduled for Friday and was again cancelled. He finally got here on Saturday afternoon.

Last year Brian was in my 2009 Free Agent Specialists Combine. He showed everyone in the stands that he has a strong leg. Due to the bad weather back East he has not been able to kick a lot this year. He decided to head to Phoenix for better weather and have me evaluate his technique.

In the above photo you will notice that Brian had a little cut swing to his kicking technique and was falling backwards.

During the two kicking lessons Brian worked on kicking up and through the ball under control with better technique and ending on balance. Many times kickers with big legs try to kick too hard.

I believe the secret to a kickers success is consistency. Kicking with good tempo and rhythm and kicking under control.

At the end of the kicking lesson Brian was kicking with better technique. His kicks had more trajectory and were going straighter. Success!

It was a pleasure working with Brian. I gave him a couple of drills to work on and I know it will improve his technique and consistency. He just needs a warmer climate to work in!

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Kicking Lessons

Football Kicking Coach

Smith, Cyburt & Capazzoli

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday I had three kicking specialists in Scottsdale, Arizona for Kicking and Punting Lessons.

Punter Cody Smith Texas A & M (Kingsville), punter Troy Cyburt and kicker Marco Capozzoli teammates from Montclair State University. All three specialists are getting ready for my College Senior Specialists Combine in Phoenix, Arizona on February 20-21, 2010.

In the above photo Cody Smith of Texas A & M Kingsville is working my Drop Progression and One Step Drill.






In the photo above Troy Cyburt is working the Drop Progression Drill and One Step Drills to get his leg to come up and through the ball straighter.





In the photo above Marco Capozzoli is working the End Line Drill working to get up and through the ball better and to get better elevation on his kicks.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with all three young men. I wish them all the best of luck in their pursuit of an NFL, CFL or UFL career.

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Kicking Lessons

Punting Lessons

Long Snapping Lessons

Football Kicking Coach

Super Bowl Win For Hartley

New Orleans Saints are World Champions...

Congratulations!

The New Orleans Saints believed in themselves and got it done. The Saints go to their first Super Bowl in team history and become 'World Champions'.

As a special teams coach for 13 years in the NFL and an advocate of the kicking game, I believe the biggest play in the game was the surprise onside kick to open the second half.

My hat is off to the Saints Head Coach, Sean Payton for making that aggressive call.Saints punter and kickoff man, Thomas Morstead executed the surprise onside kick to perfection with excellent technique.

You must also give credit to Special Teams Coordinator, Greg McMahon for his scouting report and design of the play. The coverage team blocked and recovered the ball just like you draw it up on the chalk board.

Read SI.com article; Saints Onside Kick!

Super Bowl Kicking History:

Congratulations to Garrett Hartley for an outstanding day kicking field goals. Garrett had a awesome day kicking. He broke a Super Bowl record kicking three field goals over 40 yards.

The kicks were 46, 44 and 47 yards. He kicked every field goal just like he always kicks in practice. You can view Garrett's Kicking Lesson and see up close his field goal kicking technique. He kicks in practice just like he kicks in a big game. Click Here!

This past spring Garrett Hartley was back in Scottsdale, Arizona for a One on One Kickoff Lesson. Click below to watch Coach Zauner work with Garrett on his kickoff technique.

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Kicking Lessons

Football Kicking Coach

Coach Zauner, LLC Unveils Logo

Coach Zauner, LLC has known for awhile that we had a need for a logo. I have been very busy with Kicking, Punting and Snapping Lessons, in addition to planning and preparing for my two Combines. On February 20 - 21, I will go to the field for my College Senior Specialists Combine for draft eligible kicking specialists and March 27 - 28, 2010 is my Second Annual Free Agent Specialists Combine. In addition, I have been working on dates, sites and schedules for our summer High School, College and Pro Development Camps in April, May, June and July 2010. During the last few months I put my Head Coach, my wife in charge along with Coach Zauner's , LLC Business Consultant and Website Designer, Craig Kasnoff. After months of research and design study they have completed their task. We have the high expectation that our Coach Zauner shield branding will become as recognizable at the Nike 'swoosh'...

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Punting Lessons

Long Snapping Lessons

Football Kicking Coach

Super Bowl PK's Stover & Hartley

Two weeks ago after Garrett Hartley made his game winning field goal to send the New Orleans Saints into their first Super Bowl my Business Consultant and Website Designer, Craig Kasnoff turned and said to Michelle and I, "So, you have two of your former kickers, kicking in this years Super Bowl."

I really never even thought about it. When I think of the Indianapolis Colts I think of Adam Vinatieri not Matt Stover.

But now that I have had time to think about what Craig said to me it really is pretty neat. If I had just coached one kicker it would have been a special feeling but knowing I have an association with both kickers it is really a special "Super" feeling.

During my four years as the Special Teams Coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens I had the privilege of working with and coaching Matt Stover.

Matt is a true professional in his work habits and preparation for not only kicking but as a father and husband.

This will be Matt's second Super Bowl appearance. Matt was the kicker for the Baltimore Ravens when they won Super Bowl XXXV vs the New York Giants.

I wish Matt the best of luck this Sunday in his quest for a second Super Bowl ring.

Comments by Matt Stover about working with Coach Zauner in Baltimore:

“Gary and I had a tremendous working relationship for four years with the Baltimore Ravens.His attention to detail and ability to observe and coach my style of kicking, helped me stay on track to an 87.6% accuracy during our time together. The working environment Gary created for me allowed me to become more efficient and effective as a NFL Place Kicker.” If you’re a NFL or College kicker having a kicking problem or just looking for some expert kicking instruction I would highly recommend giving Gary a call!” Comments: 6 / 2007

Matt Stover #3 – 18th Season NFL Kicker – Ravens and Browns
Pro Bowl’s 1999 and 2000 and Two Time Pro Bowl Alternate

Click below to watch Matt Stover 'Style of Kicking' which is posted on my website in the "Art of Kicking" section.

New Orleans Saints Kicker - Garrett Hartley

Two years ago Garrett Hartley was sent to me by his agent for a two day Kicking Lessons. I knew right away this young man had some kicking talent.

Jim Goodman who was the General Manager for the Denver Broncos called me and asked me to find him a punter and kicker. The spring of 2007 after individual punting and kicking lessons I recommended both Brett Kern (University of Toledo) and Garrett Hartley (University of Oklahoma). The Broncos after the draft signed both players to free agent contracts.

Just before training camp Garrett was release. The reason was that the Broncos needed to create a another roster spot for another position player. Garrett was devastated.

For several weeks he kicked to stay in shape back at school in Norman, Oklahoma. We talked by phone a couple of times but I could tell this young man was frustrated.

A couple of weeks later the Saints, Director of Pro Personnel called. The Saints were holding a workout to tryout some kickers. They wanted to know my list of the top kickers available. I recommended a couple of veterans Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner and a couple of rookies. Garrett Hartley was one of those rookies.

The announcement was made and Garrett won the spot. He kicked the last 8 games and was a perfect 13 for 13. I was very happy for him after what had happened to him in Denver.

Last spring Garrett came to Scottsdale, Arizona and we worked on his kickoff technique. He left after one day and felt very good about his kickoff technique.

In the summer he went to training camp but the league issued him a four game suspension. I once again called Garrett and told him to hang in there. John Carney was signed and Garrett said he was learning a lot from John. John is is one of the all time great kickers in NFL history.

Late in the season the Saints decided to go back to Garrett and he was now kicking once again at a very high level.

From a distance I have watched Garrett kick and watched him grow as a young man. He has stayed the course with the ups and downs of NFL and life.

So, when he was getting ready for that game winning kick against the Vikings. I said to my wife I hope he will just kick it like he kicks in practice. He kicked it high, long and straight. He played a little draw like he normally does. The football was right down the middle.

On Sunday I wish Garrett and his team , New Orleans Saints the best of luck in their quest to be World Champions and...a Super Bowl ring!

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

Click Here: to View Garrett Hartley's One on One Lesson with Coach Zauner in Scottsdale, Arizona back in 2007.

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Kicking Lessons

Football Kicking Coach

Chad Cunningham Punting Lessons

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday University of Tennessee Junior Punter, Chad Cunningham and his father Rory were in Scottsdale, Arizona for a One on One Punting and Kickoff Lesson.

The three day lesson was very productive for the big good looking junior punter. Chad is about 6'3 and 220 pounds. He is big good looking athlete that has a strong punting and kickoff leg.

During the three days I evaluated his technique and worked several drills to make him more fundamentally sound. Chad was having a little problem with a nose up or flat drop. I introduced my Drop Progression Drill to get him to be more consistent with a nose down drop.

Next, we worked a lot on Chad punting up and through the ball rather than fall backwards. After three days of punting he was getting his drop perfect and punting up and through the ball and turning over more SNO (Spiral Nose Over) Punts to his Power Zone.

At the end of each practice we worked on Chad's kickoff technique. After three days of working fundamental or foot to ball contact and a consistent approach Chad was hitting the ball with better consistency. He has a clearer idea of what it takes to make better and more consistent contact with the ball.

Below Chad's father Rory gives his testimonial on his son working with Coach Zauner.

It was a real pleasure meeting and working with Chad and I wish him the best of luck this coming year. He has a lot of potential to be playing on Sunday's. However, like most specialists there are a lot of players with potential. The key for Chad or any young man with potential will be his commitment, and passion to succeed. Putting in the time, hard work and getting more fundamentally sound refining his technique. Practice, Practice and more Practice!

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