The Importance of an Off-Season Training Program

Improvement in kicking technique should only occur in the off-season.  Any attempt to improve a kickers’ technique during the season is misplaced effort and can result in poor game performance.   In-season training should focus on game execution and monitoring or honing off-season technique adjustments.  

The off-season is the time where the kicker should make any improvements

or changes in their technique.

WHY?....because there is no game.  With no game, there is no pressure to perform so you can adjust or change a technique and allow time for the kicker to get comfortable with the change without regard for winning or losing a game.   A bad kicking workout does not really matter from January to July.  It only impacts the ego of the kicker.    

It is possible to schedule a daily workout for a kicker in the off-season which incorporates technique work, running, lifting, speed training and plyometric work.   All these variables need to be included in an off-season training program to assist a kicker in reaching their maximum potential.   If any one of them is excluded from the off-season training plan less than maximal results will be achieved.

Training for Off-Season Kicking Improvement

It is imperative that a kicker kicks a football year round.    The number of days per week and number of footballs kicked per workout will vary according to the proximity of the season.    Another consideration is a certain amount of footballs needs to be kicked in order to become adept at the skill.   Any kicker who is not kicking year round will not be able to get enough reps to be competent at a high level of the skill.

A core set of kicking drills that emphasize ball striking techniques should be the performed during the off-season training.    Ball striking ability is one of the two core characteristics that distinguish and determine a successful kicker.    These drills need to be able to develop body stability in the kicker.

The second important characteristic a kicker needs is a strong core to be able to hold his body still during the kicking movement.  This is best achieved by doing kicking specific movements to train the kicking specific muscles.  Weight room exercises can be beneficial to body stability but do not specifically transfer to the punting of a football.   Doing the kicking movement in body stabilization drills is the best and is an integral part of the College Kickers Off-Season Training Program.

Daily Off-Season Workout Plans

Attending kicking camps for improvement is a good venture but leaving the camp without a daily training plan can reduce the improvement made at the camp.   The College Kickers Off-Season Training Program has a training plan for each day of the off-season from January through July when the pre-season starts.   Each day has it’s own training chart to fill-out and record either lifting, running, or kicking information.   There is no guess work on how to be your best.  It is all pre-planned for you.   All you have to do is follow the plan to become your best. 

The daily workout plan incorporates the kicking, lifting, running and plyometrics in a cohesive order so that they all complement each other to produce the best results.    The College Kickers Off-Season Training Program is organized in a manner that allows the kicker to simply follow the daily order of exercises or kicking as it is written.   No guess work or decisions need to be made.  

In essence, if the kicker will supply the commitment to do the daily training and the passion to want to achieve and become his best the College Kickers Off-Season Training Program will enable you to get there!