The place kicker, often called the kicker, is a highly specialized position within American football’s special teams unit. Kickers are responsible for a majority of a team’s scoring outside of touchdowns. Unlike most positions, the kicker’s role focuses almost entirely on one precise action: accurately propelling the football through the goalposts. Modern teams rely on this specialist to convert drives into points, and the kicker is frequently the highest scorer on the roster over the course of a season.
Primary Scoring Duties
The place kicker’s responsibilities revolve around converting scoring opportunities by kicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts. These duties are divided into two distinct types of kicks: the field goal and the point-after-touchdown, or extra point.
A field goal is a scoring attempt worth three points, typically attempted when the offense cannot advance the ball for a touchdown but is within a manageable kicking distance. The distance of the kick is measured from the point where the ball is held to the goal line, plus the 10 yards of the end zone. While some NFL kickers can reliably convert kicks from 60 yards or more, most attempts fall in the range where the line of scrimmage is within the opponent’s 40-yard line.
The point-after-touchdown (PAT), or extra point, is a one-point attempt following a touchdown. In the NFL, the ball is snapped from the 15-yard line, which results in a 33-yard kick once the seven-to-eight yards for the snap and hold are accounted for. This conversion is nearly automatic for professional kickers, though the increased distance implemented in 2015 slightly lowered the success rate from near-perfect to around 93%.
The Kicking Unit: Personnel and Mechanics
A successful place kick is a carefully choreographed action involving three specialized players: the long snapper, the holder, and the kicker. The play begins with the long snapper, who delivers a quick, accurate spiral snap seven to eight yards back to the holder. This snap must be precise to maintain the strict timing required for the play to succeed.
The holder, often a backup quarterback or the punter, must receive the snap and immediately place the ball on the ground at the precise spot and angle for the kicker. The holder’s ability to “spot” the ball quickly, cleanly, and consistently is a major factor in the play’s overall success. The entire sequence must be executed in approximately 1.2 to 1.3 seconds to minimize the defense’s chance of blocking the kick.
The kicker then executes a predetermined approach and swing, aiming to strike the ball with the instep of their foot to impart the necessary lift and direction. The kicker’s technique emphasizes consistency, with the goal being to replicate the same motion regardless of the distance or pressure of the situation. The entire unit works to ensure the ball passes through the 18-foot, six-inch wide uprights, which stand 10 feet above the ground.
Essential Attributes of a Place Kicker
The physical demands of the place kicker position center on two main attributes: leg strength and striking accuracy. Leg strength is necessary to achieve the distance required for long field goals, with top professionals possessing the power to consistently launch the ball over 50 yards. This power results from lower-body flexibility and the ability to generate rapid leg speed through the ball.
Accuracy, however, is considered just as important as distance, requiring the kicker to maintain flawless technique to ensure a straight ball flight. This involves precise foot-to-ball contact, a consistent swing path, and proper alignment of the plant foot relative to the target.
Mental fortitude is the most distinguishing attribute for a professional kicker. The position often involves long periods of inactivity followed by a single, high-stakes play. The ability to focus and maintain a consistent routine under intense pressure, such as a game-winning attempt with time expiring, separates successful kickers from their peers.