Punter
In American football, the punter is the player who is responsible for the punts . In addition to the kicker, the punter is one of the "specialists", someone who plays neither in the offense nor in the defense , but in the so-called special teams .
The two positions are also related to each other, which is why it is not uncommon for amateur teams to use the same player for this position, who usually also holds another position. A good punter, like a kicker, must have a good kicking leg and good technique, because here too the ball is first snapped and then it must be shot as far and precisely as possible. However, good nerves are not required, as the punt is more of a break than a point opportunity. That is why the punter's low stake is an indicator of the superiority of his team.
Average punts have a width of 30 to 40 yards , peak values are over 80 yards. The distance alone is not important in a punt, as the ball has to stay in the air for a long time ( hangtime ) so that the players of the puncturing team can advance as far as possible in the direction of the returner to stop him. Good punters also have the ability to give the football spin , which provokes so-called muffs (German: failed catch) in the opponent , which results in a fumble .
If you puncture from the center line or even closer to the opposing end zone , the football should be kicked at, but not into the opposing end zone: When flying into the end zone, there is an undesirable touchback that gives the opposing team the ball at 20 yards -Line returns and largely nullifies the gain in space. The goal of the punter is to catch the so-called coffin corner (dt .: death corner) shortly before the opposing end zone or to let go out. Every punt that ends within the opponent's 20-yard line ("Inside the 20") is considered a success. In extreme cases, the opponent is even on his own one-yard line and therefore in the worst attack position. The distance to the other end zone would be the maximum possible 99 yards. A quarterback sack is likely to have a safety and an interception is at high risk of touchdown .
Another task of many punters is to serve the kicker as a "holder" during field goal attempts, ie. H. to catch the football after the snap and set it up for him.