Why is soccer style better than "straight" kicking in American football?

[Lamar_Mundane]

@asterion

Elam, of course, has tied the 63-yard record. Of course, that game was in Denver. I think that someday someone will best the 63-yard record, probably with a good tailwind.

And I think the Texans tried a 65-yard field goal last week at the end of the first half. One of the few times you’d probably see such an attempt–no time left on the clock and you’re either going to take a knee (meh), throw the hail mary, try something short (short pass or run), or try the field goal. To me, the field goal still had the best chance of actually getting a few points.

Mason Crosby of the Green Bay Packers is capable of hitting a 70 yarder. I think it is likely that he will break the 63 yard record, given the chance. He plays in Denver on Sunday night - it could happen then.

[Snarky_Kong]

@DSYoungEsq

The type of kick you describe for shooting, crossing, etc. is called an “instep drive” or instep kick by much of the soccer community. Often, younger players are told to think of using their laces, for although the contact point is just to the side of the laces, it works as a good reference point. See for example, Teaching the Instep Drive. Here is a decent video of a low driving instep kick, for those who might be having trouble following along.

Yes. Although in American football the actual laces are used, I think some confusion comes in there.

[rayh]

This should explain it pretty well. The object is to hit the “sweet spot” of the football so as to tranfer the maximum amount of energy to the football.

[fiddlesticks]

Here is a picture of 1960s Green Bay Packers placekicker Don Chandler putting on (or maybe taking off…) his square-toed field goal kicking cleat from an old Packers media guide. He was the team’s punter as well, and wore a normal cleat for that job.

[gigi]

@Trunk

A perfunctory googling indicates that the top part of the foot between the toes and the ankle is referred to as the “instep” in shoe making, sock making, soccer playing, and by the medical community.

Thanks for the correction.

[Omniscient]

@Trunk

A perfunctory googling indicates that the top part of the foot between the toes and the ankle is referred to as the “instep” in shoe making, sock making, soccer playing, and by the medical community.

Interesting, I wager 8 or 10 random people polled would have offered an incorrect explanation. Certainly it’s worth explaining since there is a bit of a misconception on the term.

[ShibbOleth]

Kicking straight on derives power from the leg of the kicker. It’s also a bit more likely to produce a “knuckleball” effect.

Kicking soccer style uses the muscles of the torso as well as the leg. This produces more torque and is easier to hit the ball correctly.