White Hat Position

[Rich]

I'm 5 yards behind the kicker fairly wide.

[parepat]

i STAND JUST ABOUT EVEN WITH THE KICKER AND 3 TO 4 YARDS WIDE ON HIS KICKING LEG

[ref49873]

I stand about 2-3 yards behind the kicker and fairly wide. I look into the holder and have been able to see any contact.

[kdf5]

Interesting comments. I use the Fed guidelines of being a yard or two in front of the kicker. What advantage is gained being behind him? What made you decide to stand behind him?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kdf5

Interesting comments. I use the Fed guidelines of being a yard or two in front of the kicker. What advantage is gained being behind him? What made you decide to stand behind him?

A punt a few years ago where we had the worst snap I've ever seen. Snapped right in my direction, actually.

The next day I went to a college football game. Saw the R deep and wide, definitely behind the punter.

Then focused on this on Sunday during an NFL game. The R was VERY deep and VERY wide.

I tried it on the next Friday. Wondered why I wasn't there to begin with.

I've gotten wider on all scrimmage kicks, actually.

[l3will]

I am fairly wide just slightly deeper than the kicker making sure that I can see
the ball when it is snapped.

Related to me by a coach who explicitly asked me before a game about where I stood on a punt. He told me that he had a white hat slightly in front of his kicker and fairly close... 3-4 yards wide. His team used an audible to call for a fake punt either left or right or punt if not open.... but the white hat was in his path and the punter is actually motioning the white hat to get out of his way prior to the snap.

So for those of you who are in front of the punter... make sure you aren't in a position to impede a possible fake punt.

[kdf5]

I'm definately wide, about 7 yards so a few backward steps has always been enough for me to get out of the way when needed. I might try this tonight.

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Originally Posted by parepat

i STAND JUST ABOUT EVEN WITH THE KICKER AND 3 TO 4 YARDS WIDE ON HIS KICKING LEG

You can practically shake his hand from that position.

[Rich]

The trend at the higher levels has been to get further away -- and why not?

On scrimmage plays, I'm usually 10-12 yards back. On most all plays, including passing plays, I never have to back up.

My eyesight is good and I can close pretty quickly if I need to make my presence known. My job is to observe. Why be close to anyone?

[JRutledge]

I stand on the kicker's foot side, about 3-4 yards behind the kicker. I think this gives me a better look at the oncoming rush so I can see why there is contact with the kicker. Standing in front does not give you that same perspective in my opinion.

Peace