Punting

[Perfect72]

Has anyone noticed that almost all of the punters in recent years try to kick the ball as high as possible and let it "Bounce" near the goal line, hoping that somone can down it on the one yard line? What seems to happen is that 95+% of the time it goes into the end zone for a touchback. In years past (70's & 80's) the punters would aim for the "Coffin Corner". That is, the punters would aim at the 10 yard line, with a good bounce, it goes out at the 5 or less. With a bit of a bad bounce, the 15. Almost always, the ref would give the punter the benefit of the doubt on a close call. Most of the time at least the opponent's field position was inside their 20 yard line.

My point is, why don't most punters try for the Coffin Corner instead of just kicking it as high as possible and hope for the best. It seems as though the odds would be better on the corner kick.

Some of you brilliant football minds please enlighten me on this.

 

[phinz_54]

I don't really know why but, i'd guess it is hard to aim a kick perfectly, but it is better that kicking it high and hoping for the best.

 

[jcaponio]

Thats a good question. Madden was talking about this during the Cowboys-Skins game, but as usual he wasn't making any sense so it was no help. I guess its just easier to kick it high than it is to aim it. Plus when you do that, the worst thing that can happen is a touchback. But when you try the coffin corner, youre trying to angle it and theres a good chance you could shank it and kick like a 5 yard punt out of bounds.

 

[Samphin]

Yeah I think it has to do with the punters of today probably not having as good as accuracy as players like Roby in years past. Aiming for the corner sounds good but if you hit is a little bit off the side, you can shank it severly and give the other team good field position. It is a risk vs. reward thing. donnie hit what I thik was an unintentional coffin corner punt against New York and it worked great. It rolled out at the 2.