February 9th, 2010
San Diego and The Kicking System Academy Kicker, Parker Munoz talks about his recent commitment to Howard University, Congrats Parks!
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John Matich
(619) 994-2364
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February 5th, 2010
I was pleased to announce its signees for the class of 2010. At the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park, six TKS kickers made their decisions for college. At the event, I was pleased to see friends, family and a ton of happy people. We took pictures, talked about the recruiting process and how they made it this far. I also announced the winners of the TKS Kicker of the Year award (Mike Gruber) and TKS Academic Award (John Wells).
It was cause of more celebration and a great atmosphere. It was a solid class and feel these kids will all be successful. I am so happy for all of them! I have worked with some of these students for over 3 years. Once you get to know them you feel you are part of their family. Its bitter-sweet, because you love to see them make the next-step but you dont want them to leave. The relationships I have with these kids is unbelievable, the connection lasts a liftime. I cant wait to see them be successful in college.
Mike Gruber, earned the right to be called TKS Kicker of the Year. Mike made a amazing jump in his kicking techniqe from his sophomore year to his junior year and continued into his senior year. I remember his first kicking camp that TKS ran for SDSU a few years back. It was his first time ever kicking a football. Mike won the field goal kicking competition and never looked back since. Although, Gruber has been playing baseball all his life, kicking is now his focus.
Brian Stohavich, punter from SDSU, also gave a speech about his recruiting process and congratulated the class on their accomplishments. We look forward to next years party to send of more students. Look out Davey Last!
The List of students included:
John Wells – Stanford
Tyler Stickland – TBA
Parker Munoz – Howard University
Drew Ferris – TBA
Mike Gruber – Nebraska at Kearney
Joe Cardona – Navy
February 4th, 2010
On Saturday Jonathan Johnson a former punter from ASU, drove to San Diego for some private kicking lessons with kicking coach John Matich. This was the 4th time Jonathan has been down to San Diego for kicking lessons.
Jonathan who has had numerous pro tryouts came down to get some fine tuning on his punting mechanics. Last time we working on getting thru the ball and his drop table. After the first few kick, it was clear Jonathan had been doing his homework. He went on to hit some 5.0 + hang time punts and was looking smother.
Free Agent Kicker/Punter Jonathan Johnson
However, as the lesson progressed we notice some tendecies that lead to some erratic punts . It was all in how he was dropping the ball. We went back to the basics and drove down the fundamentals of how he should be dropping the ball on his foot. We also looking closely on his left hand, he was letting go to early.
Its obvious that Jonathan has a NFL leg, and over the next few months he can work on his consistent drop, he will make a NFL roster.
We look forward to working with Jonathan again next month!
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Local San Diego Atletes Sign to Colleges
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3rd, 2010 – SAN DIEGO, CA – Former Minnesota Vikings kicker and the second leading scorer in Boston College football history and former San Diego Shockwave kicker (NIFL) John Matich, announced today that five local athletes signed letter of intent to play college football. Matich and his professional staff of football coaches will host a luncheon at the San Diego Hall of Champions to commemorate their accomplishments.
Southern California and San Diego has always been a hotbed for recruiting kicking talent. The 2009 class is headlined by several local standouts that include:
Mike Gruber – Christian HS – Nebraska at Kearny
Joe Cardona – Granite Hills HS – Navy
Jon Wells – Cathederal Catholic HS – Stanford
A few more are expected to sign in the coming weeks.
For more information about The Kicking System and their full schedule of events, log on to: http://kickingsystem.com/.
Coach Matich and The Kicking System have gained a national reputation from many top college football programs as arguably the most elite football kicking development system in the county.
On February 3rd (5-7pm) at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park, The Kicking System will have a luncheon for kickers and punters in San Diego. This awards ceremony will include a speech from The Kicking System owner, John Matich.
For more information or to register to participate in
The Kicking System
John Matich (619) 994-2364
john@kickingsystem.com
January 29th, 2010
Over the last week Scott Birkhofer a former D-III All-American (2008) from Linfield College in Portand, Oregan came to San Diego t0 have two private lessons with San Diego Kicking Coach, John Matich. Scott’s agent works closely John Matich, who had also been working with another client of his, Jonathan Johnson a free agent out of ASU. Scott had a great career at Linfield College that included 3 field goals over 50 yards and a 56 yard bomb. Scott has been on the path of trying to get a tryout in the NFL or a Arena Football team.
Scott wanted to work on some key fundamentals he was having trouble with and also get an assement of where he is now. Scott also wanted to increase his kickoff hangtime and distance. Over the course of the two lessons, Coach Matich broke down the fundamentals and rebuilt some of Scotts mechanics.
“Scott is all-ready a consistent kicker, but I think he can improve by using his hips and core more into his kicking motion. I felt he was stopping on impact. Once he can get his hips into the kick, I believe he will be that much better. We also worked on his approach to the ball. Changed the jab step and got his plant foot wider. We did want to kick any more wedge style kicks. He has a ton of homework!”
On the last session, Scott brought out his newly-married wife and his in-laws as they came down from Los Angeles. They helped shag footballs and made for great laughs as they were helping chart kicks.
“It was awesome to have Scott come down and train with us – we look forward to seeing him real soon!” – John Matich, San Diego Kicking Coach
More from TKS – www.kickingsystem.com
SAN DIEGO KICKING CAMPS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regardless of your age or year in school, this camp can help you on all levels, with the video aspect you can critique your own technique, distribute your DVD to college coaches.
TKS has also place over 20 students of the last few years to colleges across the country.
For more information about The Kicking System and their full schedule of events, log on to: http://kickingsystem.com/.
The TKS kicking combine includes to following:
• Combine Performance Stats
• Professional Video
• Complete DVD of workout
• Custom Edited Recruiting DVD
• Online Recruiting Video Link
• Great training tool for young kickers
• Compete with Cal’s Best Kickers
• Professional Instruction
• San Diego Kicking Competition
• Prizes, Fun and Combine T-Shirt
$50
All-LEVELS WELCOME
Pop-Warner, HS, JUCO
# # #
TKS is regarded as San Diego’s #1 Kicking Source. We offer kicking lessons, camps, academy, and much more.
SAN DIEGO KICKING ACADEMY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regardless of your age or year in school, this camp can help you on all levels, with the video aspect you can critique your own technique, distribute your DVD to college coaches.
Currently TKS has kicking students Stanford University, Travis Golia. And another student at CAL – Berkeley, David Seawright.
For more information about The Kicking System and their full schedule of events, log on to: http://kickingsystem.com/.
The TKS kicking combine includes to following:
• Combine Performance Stats
• Professional Video
• Complete DVD of workout
• Custom Edited Recruiting DVD
• Online Recruiting Video Link
• Great training tool for young kickers
• Compete with Cal’s Best Kickers
• Professional Instruction
• Bay Area Kicking Competition
• Prizes, Fun and Combine T-Shirt
$50
All-LEVELS WELCOME
Pop-Warner, HS, JUCO
Contacts:
John Matich – 619.994.2364 john@kickingsystem.com
# # #
TKS is based in San Diego, CA – offers kicking camps, lessons, academy, group sessions, kicking coach
January 22nd, 2010
(Kickers & Punters) Twitaway! First one to answer the following question by 12pm Saturday 12/23 and we will send u a FREE TKS Reebok Hat. You will have to follow TKS on twitter to see the question. Good Luck!
Search for KickingSystem on twitter! or http://twitter.com/KickingSystem
January 22nd, 2010
The Kicking System is pleased to announce its 2010 Sunday Kicking Academy Classes. Starting this Sunday, January 24th, 2010, TKS will host weekly Kicking Academy sessions in San Diego, CA. Classes where Jason Myers, Kicker Marist College, developed into one of the best kickers in the Pioneer League. Jason is a regular to the class even when he comes back to San Diego, during his college breaks. ”We use our kicking academy classes as a place to build on fundamentals, build camaraderie between kickers, have fun and competitions.” – TKS Director, John Matich. Austin Turner another regular to the TKS Kicking Academy, earned CIAA player of the year honors for Fayetville State University.
“We look forward to another great season of Kicking Academy Classes. I remember last year we had 20 kids show up and it turned into one of the best classes I ever been a part of. College kickers helping the high school kickers and in turn high school kickers working with the pop warner kickers. This year we are planning more competitions, more prizes, and some surprises. With adding more video output with our students we are looking to enhance their technique by being able to look at themselves online and studying their technique. Sunday Academy classes or different from our camps. The academy is pace to develop year round and work with your friends and have fun doing it.” –TKs Director, John Matich
Is you want to be added to the TKS Magazine/Newsletter please email us at john@kickingsystem.com and put “newsletter” in the subject line. We send out weekly newsletters announcing updates. TKS does offer private lessons, and kicking camps on a year round basis.
January 22nd 2010
Over the course of this NFL season, I have been asked the question, “What’s going on with the kickers this year?”
All-Pro kickers such as Nate Kaeding and Shayne Graham missed important kicks in the playoffs, Nick Folk had a debacle in Dallas and Baltimore Raven, Billy Cundiff missed a 30 yard field goal. Seven NFL teams made changes this year with their kicker. Even Kris Brown of the Houston Texans had an off-season. You have to wonder if there is a hex on each and every goal posts
There could be a number of reasons for the decline in field goal percentages.
First, over the last 5 years, NFL kicker have developed such high expectations. Numerous kickers, have set NFL records and the overall field goal percentages have risen. They discussed the idea about possible shortening the field goal posts or widening the hash marks to make kicking a field goal harder. They even have special footballs for kickers that are brand new, in order to make it harder to score points. The NFL even moved the kickoff spot to the 30 yard line. In other words, kickers have done so well lately, they are expected to make a 57 yard field goal in a playoff game with their eyes closed. Coaches are trying more and longer field goals – and they are expected to make it.
Secondly, you could make the case that a few of these kickers were hurt, such as Neil Rackers (groin) for Arizona. But I disagree, Rackers and Shayne Graham (Bengals) have been there before, they are familiar with the playoffs and making important kicks. It may not be the case for former Dallas Cowboy kicker, Nick Folk, who had hip surgery in the off-season. I am surprised he made it as long as he did, having hip surgery would be tough for any position.
NFL coaches are making the wrong decisions choosing the teams kicker. Granted you can go 90% during the regular season but it may not matter when you need to make the big kicks. Numerous times I have seen kickers getting picked up because of their strong leg, kickoffs or get great height on the ball. But can they kick a game-winning field goals like Adam Vinateri did in the Super Bowl a few years back. I think a lack of understanding of the position by special teams coaches, general managers, and scouts leads to these issues.
For example, lets take the San Diego Chargers. Due to the late misses by Nate in the playoffs I am sure they will bring a few kickers into camp this year as viable backups if Nate cant recover. The Chargers will send their college scouts, none of which, will have any kicking expierence, review the college talent and report back to A.J. Smith and company. After reviewing film and looking at their statistics they base their decisions on the numbers. Which usually means the college kicker or free agent that has a strong leg. How can they determine if he can take the pressure? How can they test for that? I think there should be more personnel, coaches, scouts evaulating kicking talent that have kicking expirence.
Also, kickers only get a special teams coach in the NFL. Do you think special teams coaches know anything about kicking technique or the mental kicking game. No. Where can they get help? Who do you think Nate Kaeding talked to after his first miss? Shawn Merriman? I am sure Antonie Cromartie had a few nice words to say to him.
If I was in charge of the specialist during the NFL combine, I would turn it up side down. I would pay people to sit in that stands and heckle them and then have all the head coaches stand right next to the kickers and see who would get nervous.
I do believe the kicking game has evolved where there will be more seperation of kickers and kickoff specialists. Kicking a ball a long way and kicking under pressure are very different indeed. I think there are more athletes kicking now and kicking further then ever before. But can they do perform under pressure. I have seen numerous kickers, friends of mine, get picked up just because they had a strong leg. I think the Dallas Cowboys have the right idea, with David Buehler (kickoff special), but need to find the right place kicker.
I believe you are born with ability to kick under pressure. It takes a special breed of kicker to have this ability. Kicking for an Arena team, college of UFL team may hone your skills as a kicker, but how can you train with 80,000 fans screaming at you and you have a whole city on your back.
Lets see how the kicker will fare this weekend during the NFL Championship weekend. Will Jay Feely, buckle under pressure? Remember 2005 when he missed 3 potential game winning field goals when he was with the giants? Or will it be Garrett Hartley? The Saints have a kicking coach by the name of John Carney. At least Hartley will be able to talk to someone if he misses one.
Please comment!
Video Link Jay Feely
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/jay-feely-story/27107/
