Kicking System Blog

Good Monday Morning from Odessa, Texas,

I apologize for not writing a post last week.  My wife had just moved into town and we’ve spent all our time getting our apartment set up.

A recap of some numbers before I start this weeks post.  The Roughnecks are currently 2-3, with plenty of football still left to play.  I am currently 8-12 FG, with a long of 43 (I had a terrible game last week where I went 1-4) and 19-22 PAT.

What I wanted to talk about this week is how I was selected for this job.  I was chosen over two other kickers, and when they told me i had gotten the job, my coaches said that it was a unanimous decision.  Last week I asked each of them individually what it is they saw in me, or didn’t see in the others, that affected their decision. I’d like to share these responses with you so that you may get a better insight into what coaches may be looking for to set yourself apart from other kickers, and get the jobs you want.

There were a myriad of different answers, but one answer came up with every coach, and that was leg strength.  As I’m sure you know, being able to kick the ball far means very little in and of itself, but a long, accurate kicker will always get the job over a short to medium length accurate kicker.  The workouts and drills that John teaches us aren’t just busy work, doing them can be the difference to getting the position or not.  John knows better than all of us what it takes to get where we want to be, and I strongly encourage you to listen and learn as much as possible.

Here are some of the other reasons.  I was a “Go Getter”  When it comes down to it, coaches are still looking for football players. A good kicker that can tackle, throw, block will always be more attractive than one that can’t.  Yes, we’re a different breed, with a different mentality and approach to the game, but coaches can still see intensity and fire, even in a controlled kicker.  I made it a point to not only show them I’m a good kicker, but to show them I’m a good football player and athlete, as well as my love for the game.  On kickoff I was getting down the field, the other kickers weren’t.  On Fire calls, I was getting out front to block, the others weren’t. Show them you want to play the game, no matter what they ask of you.

Another reason I heard from a few coaches was that I seemed more experienced.  I am older than the other two were, 32, but with far less football experience.  I believe what the coaches saw was my experience in life and sports in general, and when they asked something different of me, I was able to adjust and adapt quickly and easily.  Maturity and experience are things that will help anchor you when things get rough, and what coaches are looking for, especially from kickers, is not only consistency in kicking, but dependability: to be able to count on a certain level of performance that waivers very little.

A third reason that was a common thread among the coaches, is that I seem like a good guy.  No matter what you do, never underestimate the importance of character!  No matter what kind of team you’re trying to make, whether in sports or work or life in general, people want to be around people they like and trust.  When given the choice between two equally qualified candidates, the one who is more likable will always get the job.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions, and I’d love to answer them.  Until next time.

Daniel Dillinger

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:36