Brad Maynard's Punting Lessons

Brad Maynard Chicago Bears Punter For Several Years

Recently Brad Maynard, a 15 year veteran NFL punter was in Scottsdale, Arizona for a two day One on One Punting Lesson.  Brad has played for the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and most recently with the Cleveland Browns and is preparing for another season.  However, he is not sure with what team at the present moment.

Out of the blue, Brad called me about a month ago asking me to put another set of eyes on his technique and check out his drop.  He said there was something wrong with his drop but was unsure what it was but knew that it had to be corrected.  His agent Chad Wiestling told him I would be the person to see.  

Chad also is the agent for Nick Novak who played last season for the San Diego Chargers.  Nick was here for individual Kicking Lessons in 2010 and 2011 and also attended my Free Agent Specialist's Combine. Chad was happy with Nick's kicking lesson results and was hoping to get his veteran punter client the same help he wanted. 

Coach Zauner Address Maynard's Grip and Drop

During the first punting lesson I just let Brad show me and tell me how he has punted for over 15 years.  We video taped all of Brad's drills and took camera shots from many different angles to pick up any flaw he might have in his drop.   

Video Camera Picks Up Everything

After the first session we went back to my office and reviewed the sequential camera photos and video and decided what the problem was. Brad's drop was moving.  His drop was sometimes moving inwards, upwards and sometimes both.  The key to any punters success is a Perfect Drop. 

I looked at Brad's grip an made some suggestions.  I introduced him to some of my drills that I thought would correct his problem.  Brad being the pro he is tried everything.  

Brad Maynard Works on Nose Down Drop

As Brad worked the drills his drop started to improve.  The football was now nose down on almost every drop and he started to turnover every ball.   After two days of work I believe Brad was very happy with the results. 

Brad Maynard Works on Punting Up and Through The Ball

At the end of the second session Brad worked on his directional punting technique which he was and is still a master of.  He placed the ball to both corners with excellent precision. In my opinion Brad and Jeff Feagles (N.Y. Giants) are two of the best directional punters that have been in the league for years.

Click to listen to Brad Maynard's Testimonial after working a two day One on One Punting Lesson with Coach Zauner in Scottsdale, Arizona.

It was a pleasure meeting and working with Brad Maynard who to me is a Pros Pro. Brad at the present time is working to refine his technique so when he gets his next chance he will be ready. Even after this years 2012 draft there are still teams in need of a punter.  When the opportunity comes Brad will be ready.   It was a great pleasure and opportunity to work with Brad and I wish him the best.

Coach Zauner and Brad Maynard   

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2012 NFL Combine & College Senior Combine

Sixty-Four College Seniors Attend

Coach Zauner's 2012 College Senior Combine

The NFL Combine is essentially a measuring stick for NFL coaches and personnel around the league.  It is a way of evaluating talent and ranking prospects based on the athletic abilities and character expected at the professional level. 

This year’s NFL Combine was exceptionally special for Coach Zauner LLC, because five of our  One on One Lesson specialists had the opportunity to make the trip to Indianapolis at the end of February.  While I was there to support those five athletes, I also wanted to see how they compared to the rest of those in attendance. 

Coach Zauner One on One Students Attend 2012 NFL Combine
Randy Bullock, Drew Butler, Kyle Martens, Carson Wiggs & Brad Nortman

Over the past several years, there have been many exceptional players from smaller schools overlooked by the next level, simply because they don’t receive the level of exposure that larger universities benefit from.  Realizing this was the catalyst behind the formation of my College Senior Specialist's Combine, or my version of a “Field of Dreams”.

The College Senior Specialist's Combine has proved incredibly successful since the 1^st annual event in 2010 and this year was no different. 

Coach Zauner's 2012 College Senior Specialist's Combine
(64) Specialist's Attend Three Day Combine

March 2-4, 2012 sixty-four specialists attended Coach Zauner's 2012 College Senior Specialists Combine in Gilbert, Arizona.  Over three days, the athletes were put through a series of tests and drills to assess their skills, fundamentals and technique. During the Combine my staff evaluated each of the specialists and determined whether or not I believed they had potential to be an NFL Specialist.

Jonathan Weeks (Texans) and Nick Sundberg (Redskins) Assist in Evaluating Snappers

Several NFL Special Teams Coaches and College Director or Personnel raved about the excess of talent at this year’s specialist NFL Combine and voiced that they believed this was the best group of kids to date. I couldn’t agree more and am incredibly proud to have had the pleasure of working with five of the athletes.

Nick Schirtzinger and Steve Hoppe Record Coach Zauner's Comments

Using my 36 plus years of experience coaching and working with specialists as my “measuring stick” of sorts, I found nine snappers, seven kickers and five punters whom I believe have NFL potential.  These twenty-one athletes were not among those invited to Indianapolis to attend the official NFL Combine, but they deserve a genuine shot to get looks or workouts and signed as free agent after the draft to compete for a spot on an NFL roster. Hopefully, the College Senior Specialist's Combine or "Field of Dream" will open the door to that opportunity.

Results and highlight videos of the twenty-one aforementioned prospects have been posted on my website at  Coach Zauner's Lockerroom, plus will be given directly to NFL coaches and Directors of Pro Personnel at my Free Agent Specialist's Combine later this month.  This provides an opportunity for exposure that may otherwise be missed.

The 2012 College Senior Specialists Combine was immeasurably successful. From the feedback I’ve received and the number of inquiries about my One on One Kicking, Punting & Snapping Lessons and PRO Development Camps, I believe those who attended got something useful from the experience. I always say “Coaches Coach and Players Play”. These athletes are the ones out there putting in the blood sweat and tears and I simply feel fortunate to have been a part of it.

NFL Coaches Evaluate Players

 NFL, CFL & UFL Evaluating Talent At Previous Free Agent Combines

As in life, the end of one chapter, marks the beginning of another. On March 19^th and 20^th, coaches and staff from NFL teams will be on the field to evaluate participants in the 2012 Free Agent Specialist's Combine in Paradise Valley.  In the past, several players have signed with teams after scouts and personnel evaluated their performance at this one day event. My gracious staff and I have been working hard to make this the best possible opportunity for all the specialists attending and I cannot wait for the Free Agent Specialist's Combine to get rolling!

Best of luck to all of the kicking specialists in this upcoming 2012 Free Agent Specialist's Combine and also in the 2012 NFL draft.

Coach Zauner's Combine Testings Are Performed With New NFL (K) Balls

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Army Committment vs NFL Career

Jeremy Jonas (U.S. Army) After One on One Snapping Evaluation

For some of my athletes, Sunday was a day dedicated to rest, and as much as part of me would've loved to join in the relaxation. I had work to do. I was meeting with a young man by the name of Jeremy Jonas. I knew a thing or two about him prior to our first evaluation session together. I knew he was an incredibly efficient long snapper. I knew he was 25 years young and he probably took a lot of heat for having the same last name as a trio of Disney singers.

What I didn't know is that I would learn as much from as he would from me.


Jeremy is a Midwest boy, born and raised in a small suburb of Ohio. His long snapping career (no pun intended) began in middle school, and after his years of playing at an elite level, he was offered a handful of Division 1 scholarships. Upon high school graduation, Jeremy made a choice that would not only impact the next four years, but change his entire life.


Jeremy opted to attend the United States Military Academy.


There are few people that willingly put themselves in a situation that inevitably brings upon the biggest challenge they will ever face, but Jeremy did just that.


He could have chosen a school that required only passing grades to remain on the team. He could’ve chosen a school without strict rules and a notoriously challenging curriculum—a school that didn't require a multiple-year commitment to serve in a war overseas. Sure, it would have been easier. But, that’s not how Jeremy Jonas is built.


If you ever ask him what the catalyst was behind his decision he admits, “I know it sounds really cliché, believe me. But, I felt honored and proud to have the opportunity to serve for my country.” I could hear it a thousand times but never believe it as much as when he said it.


Jeremy’s opportunity to serve came in the summer of 2011 when he was deployed to Iraq. His two years of active duty came after two seasons of football as the long snapper for the Army’s football team. Two very impressive seasons.


During his tenure with the Army, Jeremy made it a point to do the exact opposite of what most 20-year old sports stars kill for—to stay out of the spotlight. Perhaps wisely so.

Jeremy's view and perspective as a snapper is a little upside down

Kickers, punters and snappers aren’t typically considered very “glamorous” positions. In all honesty, often the only attention afforded to specialists is in the form of vindication. Jeremy figured that as a snapper keeping a low-profile meant you were doing your job and doing it well. Jeremy kept a low-profile 74 out of 74 times in his 2008 season with Army. 

After putting together such an impressive season, Jeremy garnered a different kind of attention, the good kind. Not only were college coaches and teams noticing him, but NFL personnel began raising their eyebrows.

Wouldn’t be the first time…

When he was younger, Jeremy was afforded the opportunity to work with Brad St. Louis, who at the time was the long snapper for Cincinnati.

“I remember snapping a couple times for him and he complimented me on my form. He told me to go after it”.  

At the time, Brad was a veteran in the league. He played week in and week out against the strongest, fastest athletes in the country...and he saw something in Jeremy.

Wouldn’t be the last time…

In 2005, while Jeremy was attending a kicking camp in Kentucky, Ray Guy, Oakland Raiders (arguably the greatest punter of all-time) called him up on stage. Out of all the prospective athletes in attendance, Ray chose him to demonstrate proper technique.

Jeremy’s gift was always evident—even to the best of the best. 

Jeremy works Long Snapping Technique with Drew Butler (U. of Georgia)

In 2009, Jeremy was forced to make yet another difficult decision about his future. He decided to forgo his senior football season in order to graduate with his peers as a Field Artillery Officer.  Following graduation, he attended Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and shortly thereafter was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX.

Jeremy Jonas in Iraq - Gave Up a Football for a Gun

In the summer of 2011, he was deployed to Mosul, Iraq.


'I cannot articulate what the experience in Iraq has done for me as a person and how it changed every aspect of my life for the better."


Almost two years have passed since Jeremy made the choice to honor his commitment to the military and relinquish one more season of football. His passion and dedication to being a member of the United States Military is glaringly apparent and he is undoubtedly prepared to spend a lifetime serving his country. But, he may have some unfinished business.


We've experienced it; that little voice in your head that just never seems to go away. that voice (perhaps Ray's or Brad's) in Jeremy's head urging him to give football one last shot. One last REAL shot. 


"I'd like to be afforded this opportunity. I want to give it 100%. I want to do everything I can to become the best I can be and see where it can take me…I'd regret it if I didn't."

Jeremy Jonas Works Perfect Laces Drill With Drew Butler

Over the years, athletes have come to me at pivotal points in their lives for a myriad of reasons. In speaking with Jeremy, I came to realize he has never actually had specialized, personalized training to help develop his technique and polish his skills. He sought me out because he believed I could help put him in the best position to silence that relentless knocking on the door and discover whether or not he has what it takes to play at the next level. 


Regardless of what lies ahead for Jeremy on the football field, I feel lucky to have had the chance to meet a young man with such a high caliber of character and class. My goal as a kicking coach and mentor is always to inspire the athletes I work with, and I truly believe the story of Jeremy Jonas is worthy of sharing. I look forward to continuing to work with him and wish him nothing but the very best in all of his future endeavors. 


Jeremy is working hard to get in football shape to attend my Free Agent Specialist's Combine, March 20, 2012. 

Jeremy Jones and Coach Zauner After a Long Snapping Evaluation in Phoenix, Arizona

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