Why do punters not kick field goals?
John Castro
Published Jan 13, 2026
Generally punters can kick field goals in a pinch. Since Kickers and Punters are specialists, they don't generally practice the "other" kicking discipline; however, many kickers and punters pulled double duty in high school, so they have done it before.
Does the punter kick field goals?
Some teams have two place kickers; one who kicks field goals and another who specializes in kickoffs. Punter - The punter kicks punts. This is generally a different player from the place kicker. The punter tries to kick the ball as far and high as possible.Why do punters hold for field goals?
Punters Have Good HandsYou might think the best player to catch a long snap and make sure it gets safely down for the kick would be a wide receiver or tight end, and you wouldn't be wrong.
Can a kicker also be a punter?
The punter has typically developed chemistry with the long snapper and is thus accustomed to catching a long-snapped ball. Additionally, punters are also kickers and understand kicking mechanics, such as how far back to lean the ball as the kicker makes an attempt, and when a field goal attempt should be aborted.Why do punters not kick out of bounds?
“The problem is, when it comes off the foot low like that, you risk getting it blocked if there's pressure off the edges.” Hoffman also said it's not so easy to punt the ball out of bounds, especially in inclement weather. “People don't realize how hard it is to kick the ball out of bounds,” said Hoffman.Pat McAfee Talks Why All NFL Kicking Positions Can't Be One Player, Matt Araiza's MONSTER Leg
What is a coffin kick in football?
The coffin corner refers to the corner of the playing field in American football just in front of the end zone, from about the 5-yard line to the goal line. A perfect coffin corner kick is one that goes out of bounds just before either orange pylon located in the front of the end zone.Can a punter catch his own punt?
Simply put, a punt is a scrimmage kick. Therefore, any member of the punt team is allowed to catch or recover a punt as long as it is behind the neutral zone, basically the line of scrimmage, and then advance that ball.Has a punter ever been drafted?
Career Highlights. Ray Guy became the first punter ever selected in the first round of a National Football League draft when the Oakland Raiders tapped him as the 23rd player chosen in 1973.Why do college punters run?
And because the punter is holding the ball so long, the coverage team has extra time to get down the field; unlike the NFL, where only the outside gunners can release before the kick, everyone on the punt team in college football can run down the field right after the snap.Who is the best punter in the NFL?
Gil Brandt's greatest NFL punters of all time
- 1 / 16. Dave Jennings. New York Giants, 1974-1984; New York Jets, 1985-1987. ...
- 2 / 16. Donnie Jones. Seattle Seahawks, 2004; Miami Dolphins, 2005-2006; St. ...
- 3 / 16. Don Chandler. ...
- 4 / 16. Jeff Feagles. ...
- 5 / 16. Thomas Morstead. ...
- 6 / 16. Glenn Dobbs. ...
- 7 / 16. Pat McAfee. ...
- 8 / 16. Andy Lee.