Kicking World
Kicking World
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jul 22, 2008
NEW! PRIVATE GYM TRAINING & POOL WORKOUTS WITH COACH BRENT  
In addition to private kicking & punting lessons, Coach Brent is now offering kicking-specific training in the gym and pool for all kickers & punters at his beautiful workout facility located in Irvine, California. You will have access to state of the art gym equipment, cardiovascular machines, resort-like pool ammenities, and the professional knowledge and guidance of Coach Brent working out with you 1 on 1. Brent realized the benefits of aqua-therapy after rehabbing an injury. He learned many new strategies and techniques that several of the top Division 1 College Football programs and NFL strength coaches are using to help keep their kickers healthy and get them stronger and longer! The private training is available in single sessions or multiple sessions and we can create a custom package for you if you want to stay in Orange County, CA and workout with Coach Brent in Irvine for 2 or 3 days of complete kicking training (kicking and/or punting lessons, gym training, pool workouts). Please call us to schedule private training and/or private kicking lessons. Visit the Training page and Private Lessons page for more information!
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jul 15, 2008
Ravens' kicker Matt Stover aims toward heavenly goal
Tuesday, Aug 12, 2003
By Sharon Mager & Bob Simpson
http://www.bpsports.net/bpsports.asp?ID=4100 |  | Matt Stover
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COLUMBIA, Md. (BP)--Baltimore Ravens punter Matt Stover is one of the most accurate place kickers in the National Football League. In the 2000 season, he hit 81 percent of his 293 regular-season field goal attempts and had up to that time missed only three extra points in 11 NFL seasons.
During the Raven's Super Bowl year, they went through Week Five to Week Nine when they didn't score a touchdown for 21 quarters. During that time, Stover had a five field goal game and a four field goal game to help the Ravens to victory. The Ravens played excellent defense and held the opponents points to a minimum. Stover scored 49 straight points on 16 field goals and an extra point. He was awarded Pro Football Weekly's Golden Toe Trophy for this accomplishment.
Stover points towards heaven when he scores a field goal for his team. He gives God the glory for the victory. Stover also points to heaven when he misses. He still gives God the glory.
Through my career I have to first and foremost honor Him, Stover said. It's not about me, it's about Him. When I point up I'm giving thanks -- not only when I get a field goal but also when I miss one. It's life's trials that make you grow the most, not the good times.
It's an opportunity Stover knows he has and he uses it. Rather than worship the god of football, Stover surrendered football to God.
Stover learned about Jesus as a child but didn't have a personal relationship with Him. He pictured Jesus behind a door. When needs arose he opened the door; otherwise it stayed shut.
He began his love affair with football while in first grade. Stover was a punt-pass and kick champion when he was 11. He played punter, kicker and wide receiver in high school but began specializing in kicking. He went to Louisiana Tech on a full football scholarship and his dream came true in 1990 when the New York Giants drafted him. In 1991 he signed with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns relocated to Baltimore and became the Ravens in 1996.
By the second year with the Browns, Stover thought he had it all.
... the ball field, the financial success -- hey, this was it! he said.
As a young man, Stover identified manly success with the two Bs - the billfold and the ball field.
Through those things I was trying to find happiness and fulfillment in life and they all left me empty, Stover said.
In 1991 while playing against the Houston Oilers, Stover missed a 19-yard field goal. He went down on one knee and said, God, help me. The reverence he found in himself surprised him. It made him aware that he knew he was accountable to God.
Stover attended a pro-athlete conference in California in February 1992. The speaker talked about the god of football. He referenced Mark 8:35, 36: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
I had the whole world but didn't have my soul covered. This game of mine, which should have brought me happiness, didn't. It dropped me on my head. God gave me an opportunity to discover my true purpose -- to be loved by Him and love Him in return and accept Him as Lord and Savior. And I did that.
Stover said as his relationship grew. God began chiseling him -- big chunks real fast.
I grew quickly, he said, but still wasn't willing to let go of football. In September 1992 Stover got injured. He kicked the ball and lay afterwards in severe pain. On the ground he felt God saying, I can take this from you anytime. Are you willing to give it up?
I surrendered and said, Lord, it's yours, Stover responded.
After rehabilitation he went on to become one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history in 1994 and remains on the top 10 list of NFL kickers. Stover also held the record in 2001 for the most consecutive games with field goals.
God was also working on Stover's relationships.
Life was about Matt, he said. God changed that and began restoring relationships in Stover's life, drawing him and his wife, Debbie, closer. Stover began to reach out and love those around him like he had never done before.
God produced more miracles in Stover's life by blessing him and Debbie with two children -- a daughter, Jenna, born April 26, 1995, and exactly one year later his son, Jacob.
Debbie Stover grew up in Dallas and attended First Baptist Church, Dallas, under the pastorate of W.A. Criswell. She came to know the Lord when she was 11.
�She is a huge influence in my life. She showed me that it doesn't matter how good you are if you don't have your sin taken care of.
Stover knows he has to be a role model on and off the field. He knows people watch how he responds to others and how he walks. He wants to show by example that being a Christian isn't a 'fuddy-duddy' lifestyle, but is vibrant and fun.
The guys will cuss around you and say excuse my language. They'll sit next to me ... all beat up, and say 'Stov, this coach is killing me. I need some encouragement.' I'm a big encourager. When I'm down I encourage people the most.
Playing football is a very insecure career. There is no guaranteed contract. You can be cut at any time. The average time for a football player is 3 years, 3 games. At 35 I'm the oldest guy. The average age is 26.�
He knows God blessed him with the gift of administration. Stover works with team ministry and outreach. Stover and other Christians on the team work together to host a large outreach each year at the Ravens' stadium. They pay for about 3,500 people, mostly from the inner city of Baltimore, to meet and shake hands with some of the players and hear some of them give their personal testimonies.
During the football season. a group averaging anywhere from eight to 15 Christians on the Ravens team meet for Bible study on Wednesday nights. About 40 people attend Saturday night chapel. The Ravens have a chaplain, Rod Hairston, who is allowed in the locker room and travels with the team. Not all coaches allow that privilege. Hairston's arrival, Stover said, was the result of a strong commitment of prayer in 1999 -- a year before the team won the Super Bowl.
Brian Billick is a good coach with regard to religious freedom, Stover said.
Stover and his family worship and are actively involved at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium. He is still a member of his hometown church, First Baptist Church, in Georgetown, Texas.
I can look back and say being a professional athlete has been such a blessing to me, and hopefully I have used the platform given to me to bless others. God will hold me responsible for how I've handled myself.
--30--
Used by permission from Baptist Life, newsjournal of the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware. Sharon Mager is a staff writer and Bob Simpson is the editor of Baptist Life. |
Posted by: admin in nfl kicker, afl kicker on
Jul 10, 2008
There was a time when kicker Rob Bironas took aim at the narrow uprights of the Arena Football League.
Now he is connecting in the NFL for the Titans and basking in the adulation that comes with kicking back-to-back game-winning field goals.
Don't think the two are unconnected.
Bironas played three years of arena football, spending 2003 with af2's Charleston Swamp Foxes and then moving up to the AFL with the Carolina Cobras and New York Dragons in 2004. He joined the Titans in 2005.
He said his time in the arena league served as a "stepping stone" to the NFL.
"I had some scouts tell me that (playing in the AFL) showed them that I was doing something when I was at home rather than just kicking on my own," Bironas said. "You're in game situations and there's a little bit of pressure, and the AFL was becoming more recognized by NFL.''
A fact that, in turn, is becoming more recognized by kickers trying to get to the big time. For those who want to be like Bironas, the Nashville Kats are offering an opportunity.
The team will hold an open kicking tryout today in the bubble at Baptist Sports Park. The only kicker currently on the Nashville roster is Jason Witczak, who joined the team midway through last season.
Strength, accuracy key
The tryout, conducted by Dean Cokinos, director of player personnel for the Kats, will consist of three phases.
There will be a test of leg strength, gauging a player's ability to consistently hit the net behind the goalposts on kickoffs.
Then accuracy will be tested. Each participant will be required to make a certain number of extra points in order to continue the tryout.
The final phase will be a field goal contest.
Cokinos said an AFL kicker has to get over the potentially intimidating idea of kicking through AFL goalposts, which are 9 feet apart. NFL goal posts are 18 feet, 6 inches apart. The AFL field is also just 50 yards long.
"Like everything else in Arena Football there is reduced space for kicking," Cokinos said. "The goal posts look like they are two inches apart. So it is a psychological thing for these guys. They have to have the mental strength not to let the reduced space affect them.
"They also have to have the leg strength to get it to the net, and they have to be a good onsides kicker to make it in arena football."
Other AFL grads
Bironas had those abilities, but he's not the only kicker to turn an arena league stint into something more.
Matt Bryant, who connected on a 62-yard field goal for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season, played for the AFL's Iowa Barnstormers in 2000.
Mike Vanderjagt, who spent eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and was recently cut by the Dallas Cowboys, kicked for the AFL's Minnesota Fighting Pike in 1996.
Bironas still uses AFL goal post standards as an accuracy tool when he trains.
Cokinos said Bironas is the perfect example of what an AFL career can become.
"He's a testament to kicking," Cokinos said. "We tell all these guys, 'You got to play and got to be seen. If you are not practicing your craft you have no chance.' By Rob kicking, and kicking at a lower level, he showed the self-will that got him to the NFL.
"And we hope to find another guy like him." - Courtesy of: http://www.footballforum.com/afl-forum/11441-bironas-afl-time-aided-nfl-success.html
| Haglund named Kicker of the Year | | |  |  Courtesy: Arena Football League
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| | | NEW YORK - San Jose SaberCats K A.J. HAGLUND (5-8, 175, Central Oklahoma) was selected the 2008 Kicker of the Year as voted by AFL head coaches, players, fans, and the Arena Football League Writers Association, the League announced today. Haglund, who earned All-Arena First Team honors last week, led all kickers in scoring (179 points) while connecting on 21-of-25 (84.0 percent) field goal attempts and converting 116-of-124 extra-point attempts. He also registered 26 touchbacks and recorded 16.0 tackles. Watch The Video interview from ESPN at Arena Football.com http://www.arenabowl.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3550&ATCLID=1505211 Other candidates included: Dallas' REMY HAMILTON, Cleveland's JASON BALL and Philadelphia's CONNOR HUGHES. Following is a list of the all-time AFL Kicker of the Year honorees: ALL-TIME KICKER OF THE YEAR WINNERS SEASON | PLAYER | TEAM | 2008 | A.J. Haglund | San Jose SaberCats | 2007 | Mark Lewis | Austin Wranglers | 2006 | Remy Hamilton | Los Angeles Avengers | 2005 | Remy Hamilton | Los Angeles Avengers | 2004 | Jay Taylor | Orlando Predators | 2003 | Clay Rush | Indiana Firebirds | 2002 | Steve Videtich | New Jersey Gladiators | 2001 | Brian Gowins | Grand Rapids Rampage | 2000 | Clay Rush | Iowa Barnstormers | 1999 | Mike Black | New England SeaWolves | 1998 | Kenny Stucker | Milwaukee Mustangs | 1997 | Steve Videtich | New Jersey Red Dogs | 1996 | Pete Elezovic | Albany Firebirds | 1991 | Rusty Fricke | Denver Dynamite | 1990 | Novo Bojovic | Detroit Drive |
* No award issued from 1992-95. |
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jul 02, 2008
The 2008 O.C. All Star Football Game (North vs. South) is on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 7:15pm at Orange Coast College. It is sure to be a great night of football as 2007's best athletes at each position take showdown for a night of hard hits and hopefully good kicks too. The cost of the tickets are normally $10.00 per person but if you have received lessons from me in the past or attended any of my camps I am doing something special for you. I will be providing free tickets for any of my existing private lesson/camp clients or future (already signed up for a 2008 summer camp) clients. Please contact me via e-mail or by phone and I will make sure you can meet me out front before pre-game so we can get you a free ticket!
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jun 20, 2008
1 Lucky Winner will be chosen by random to win FREE registration ($150 value) to 1 of our upcoming summer 2008 kicking camps in California, Texas, or Arizona, your choice of camp date and age group, free of charge! The contest is REAL SIMPLE... The contest is open to all existing and new forum members. If you aren't already a registered member of this forum you must register with complete, valid information at http://www.kickingworld.com/forum Registration is free and can be done by visiting our forum now. After registering you must go into the forum and reply to the announcement which has all the details. Contest runs till June 30, 2008 and one lucky winner will be selected on June 30. Good Luck!
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jun 19, 2008
What College fight song gives you the most goosebumps? Which one is most 'collegiate' and puts you in that mindset of being in college with the fanfare and student body support? Football is BIG at some of these schools and the fight song is a part of the school and it's students forever. Some of the fight songs really get me fired up. Check out the forum (message board) to place your vote and weigh in on this discussion! http://www.kickingworld.com/forum The topic is located under the General Discussion.
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jun 17, 2008
KICKING CAMP IN ARIZONA AT TEMPE H.S. DATE: Sunday, July 27, 2008 TIME: 09:00am - 11:30am (all kickers & punters ages 7 to 12 & any beginners) 12:00pm - 02:30pm (Kickers Only ages 13 and up) LOCATION: Tempe High School 1730 South Mill Avenue Tempe, AZ 85281 Get Directions *BONUS 1: Billy Cundiff, NFL Placekicker (Dallas Cowboys/Kansas City Chiefs) will be working with Coach Brent and the students at the kicking camp! *BONUS 2: Tempe HS Head Football Coach Rodriguez & Staff will also be assisting at the kicking camp. COST: $150.00 pre-register by July 1 (use coupon code "arizonacamp" at checkout) $200.00 if registered after July 1 (camp fee includes bonus discussion!)
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jun 17, 2008
Most Memorable Missed Kicks By STEPHEN RIPLEY http://www.winnipegsun.com/Sports/Top10/2007/09/09/4480879-sun.html Today on Hinterland Who's Who, we take a look at the North American football placekicker, a universally reviled species with a tragically short lifespan. Placekickers can be easily spotted on the sidelines, since they tend to keep their distance from the other members of the herd (or "team"), most of whom don't consider them real football players. They also usually wear mismatched shoes, helmets with a one-bar facemask and a pair of goat horns after every narrow defeat. The latest kicker to be fitted for horns is University of Michigan senior Jason Gingell, who last Saturday had two kicks blocked in the final 1:47 of a 34-32 loss to the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Despite the ineptitude of Michigan's defence, offence and coaching staff, if Gingell had been able to coax just one of those kicks over the crossbar, the Wolverines would have been spared the shame of becoming the first ranked team in history to lose to a Div. 1-AA school. But that's the life of a placekicker. As Gingell and the 10 men on this list can attest, you're only as good as your last kick. 10. Paul McCallum How can a guy who holds the record for the longest field goal in CFL history (62 yards) miss a measly 18-yarder to lose a playoff game? That's the question thousands of Saskatchewan Roughrider fans were asking in 2004 after McCallum's overtime blunder against the B.C. Lions. They reacted as any of us would -- by hucking eggs at his house, dumping manure on his neighbour's lawn and making death threats on his family. 9. Florida State In a 1991 clash between top-ranked FSU and No. 2 Miami, Seminoles kicker Gerry Thomas missed a 34-yard field goal attempt with 29 seconds left to play, sealing a 17-16 Hurricanes victory and helping to propel Miami to the national title. Then, one year later, new 'Noles kicker Dan Mowrey missed a 39-yarder on the final play of a 27-24 loss to the hated 'Canes. The games became known as Wide Right I and Wide Right II. 8. Cincinnati Bengals Needing a victory in their penultimate game against the Denver Broncos to secure a playoff berth last season, the Cincinnati Bengals were about to send the contest into overtime after scoring a touchdown with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter. But an errant snap on the ensuing PAT attempt cost the Bungles a 24-23 defeat and ultimately knocked them out of the playoffs when they lost again the next week. 7. Charlie Brown The kid with the perfectly round head gets a bad rap for his 0-for-312 career record, but in truth, a lot of the blame must be placed on his holder. Nobody knew why Lucy Van Pelt -- brother of Linus and cousin of former Bills QB Alex -- always pulled the ball away until 1973, when she was indicted on charges of game-fixing and dispensing psychiatric advice without a licence. 6. Tony Romo With 1:19 left in their wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks last season, Dallas Cowboys kicker Martin Gramatica was poised to kick his team to victory as he lined up a short, chip-shot field goal. But like Charlie Brown, Gramatica was denied a shot at glory as his holder, Cowboys QB Tony Romo, let the ball slip through his fingers. Romo picked up the ball and ran for the end zone, but came up a yard short, sealing Seatte's 21-20 victory. 5. Mike Vanderjagt Once the most accurate placekicker in NFL history, this Canadian's career with the Indianapolis Colts came to a sudden end in 2006 when he missed a last-minute 46-yarder, sealing a 21-18 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Actually, the most errant swing of Vanderjagt's right foot came a few years earlier when he planted it squarely into his mouth by criticizing the leadership abilities of Colts QB Peyton Manning and coach Tony Dungy, prompting Manning to later describe him as "our idiot kicker who got liquored up and ran his mouth." 4. Eddie Murray While we're picking on Canadians, how about Detroit Lion Eddie Murray, who was one of the NFL's top kickers in the '80s and '90s? With five seconds left in a 1983 NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Murray missed a 43-yarder to allow the Niners to escape with a 24-23 win. 3. Scott Norwood The Buffalo Bills trailed the New York Giants 20-19 with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., when Bills kicker Scott Norwood lined up a 47-yard field goal attempt to win the game. But Norwood's kick sailed wide right, forever adding his name -- probably unfairly -- to the list of athletes who blew it when the chips were down. 2. Gary Anderson In 1998-99, Anderson became the first kicker in NFL history go an entire season without a miss, going 35-for-35. Then, with his Minnesota Vikings leading 27-20 with 2:07 left in the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons, Anderson did the unthinkable, hooking a 38-yarder just outside the left upright. The Falcons went on to score a tying touchdown, then won the game in overtime on a 38-yarder of their own. 1. Garo Yepremian While not as costly as the misses by Anderson or Norwood, Yepremian's blunder in Super Bowl VII has become legendary. Leading the Washington Redskins 14-0 late in the game, Yepremian's short field goal attempt was blocked, causing the ball to bounce back into his hands. Inexplicably, the kicker attempted a pass, which slipped out of his hand and popped into the air. He then feebly batted it to a Redskins player, who returned it for a touchdown. The Dolphins hung on for the victory, preserving their perfect 1972 season, but Yepremian's gaffe helped forever brand kickers as objects of ridicule among "real" players.
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