Rugby punts

[theguru]

Beechwood used the rugby punt the other night and I believe one of them was partially blocked. I really don't see it a lot in high school football. Who else uses the rugby punt? Is this a fad? Is it easier or more difficult to block a rugby punt?

[newarkcatholicfan]

I watch a little high school football and this style punt seems to be catching on.

 

I can not stomach it and I think they are easier to block.

 

I also think the kick is not as good as often as it is with the regular style kicking.

[rjs4470]

I watch a little high school football and this style punt seems to be catching on.

 

I can not stomach it and I think they are easier to block.

 

I also think the kick is not as good as often as it is with the regular style kicking.

 

I've seen it more often. I don't think it's a bad idea, especially if you have a great athlete, that isn't necessarily a good punter. Not many high school teams have a guy that can just boom it 45 yards. I see a lot more 20-30 yard punts than 40 yard boomers. By running it a little, you can pick up a few more yards, it's a little harder to return since it is more likely to be rolling. You can also run away from any overload on one side. Also, since the punting team can release right away, the extra time it takes to punt gets your players a little farther downfield, improving your coverage. It is easier to block, but, in a lot of cases in the high school game, the risk is probably worth the reward. I'm with you, it looks ugly, but then again, 20 yard shank punts look pretty ugly too.

[2 Humped Camel]

They are easier to cover and directionally kick away from good return men. As previously mentioned even if you have a punter who can boom it 50 yards you have to have the athletes to get down and cover it. A big traditional style punt doesn't do much for you if it gets returned for a 0 net or 6 points.

[Rebel]

Boyle does do this some with their Quarterback on 4th down. The D has no clue if its a punt or a regular play as the player is in the shotgun formation. Boyle ran this against Warren Central and after punting it 3 times Warren Central sent players back to recieve and Boyle threw a quick pass for a first down. Hard to defend!

[LCDAWGS19]

Our guys did this the other night on 4th and 6 or so from midfield...got a good bounce and downed it inside the 10.

[DragonFire]

Boyle does do this some with their Quarterback on 4th down. The D has no clue if its a punt or a regular play as the player is in the shotgun formation. Boyle ran this against Warren Central and after punting it 3 times Warren Central sent players back to recieve and Boyle threw a quick pass for a first down. Hard to defend!

 

That play worked because the linebacker didn't take a simple two steps to his left to cover the man out wide. Boyle's QB smartly audibled and threw to a wide open player. I'd say this could happen with any team that has a QB punting, not necessarily just a rugby style.

 

I'll say this about rugby kickers - sometimes they draw roughing penalties because it looks they're running and then they kick at the last second. Not my fave.

[frankdracman23]

Just like everything else in high school football if you do it correctly it is a wonderful thing. If you stink at it .....well it will bite you big time.

 

Seems to me the consistency is what is lacking in the rugby punting game. I've seen a team use it three times in a row and get 40 yards and no return and then the next two times it goes 12 yards and 8 yards.

[tcjkbt]

I think one problem with the rugby punt is that you can never be sure how the ball is going to bounce.

[nees1212]

I personally do not like it. It gives the offense way too much of an advantage. They need to change the rule in regards to the protection of the punter. IMO, once the punter breaks the pocket, he should be fair game. He should no longer be protected like a punter. Holmes used to run this to perfection with Duran Jefferson years ago. He'd line up in punt formation as the punter and then roll to his right. Once a defender got close, he'd quickly kick it. It would result in a roughing the kicker penalty. I saw this happen on 3 or 4 punts early in a game against Dixie years ago. After getting penalized for roughing the kicker 3 or 4 times, the Dixie defenders would let up. As soon as they did, Jefferson would take off. It really put Dixie is a bind.

[All State Baseball]

Can someone tell me what a Rugby punt is?

[nees1212]

Can someone tell me what a Rugby punt is?

 

After receiving the snap, the punter rolls to his right or left before punting. It gives the cover guys more time to get down the field.

[mcpapa]

I would think that the chances for the kicking team leaving the LOS early would increase with the rugby punt.

[All State Baseball]

I think Estill does something like this when they're forced to punt. Not certain but I'm pretty sure the punter moves before punting the ball away

[rjs4470]

I would think that the chances for the kicking team leaving the LOS early would increase with the rugby punt.

 

You cannot leave too early in High School, or college. ALL players are allowed to immediately go downfield after the snap on a punt. That's one of the reasons this type of punt can work so well, as it gives players and additional second or two to get downfield. What you describe is only a penalty in the NFL.