One of the greatest difficulties in evaluating kickers is being cognizant of weather and how it affects a kicker’s performance. Whether wind, rain, snow, heat, cold, humidity, or other forces of nature more powerful than a specialist’s weirdness, every kick is made in different conditions. Yet kickers are often discussed in the context of near-perfect conditions, rather…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From skip step to shield punt formation, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From personal protector to jab step, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From gunner to directional punting, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any terms…
The second-ever CFB National Championship has come and gone, and the January 14 Quick Kicks Podcast has Chuck Zodda and Mark Schofield ready to break down the action. Topics from this show include: The evenly-matched first half, with both Clemson and Alabama trading blows en route to a 14-14 tie at the half (2:22). The…
The New York Jets tried to use new acquisition Percy Harvin to execute a spectacular special teams play: a lateral to a hidden player in the end zone on a kickoff return. But, being the Jets, the only thing spectacular was the failure. The New York Jets made a splash two weeks ago, acquiring wide…
The matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots last night saw more of Pat McAfee’s brilliance in the punting game. So Chuck Zodda was stunned when the Colts turned to a trick play on a fake punt instead of playing to win the field position game, and went to the film to see…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From bird dogging to wide 9 technique, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From bird dogging to wide 9 technique, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any…
Special teams play is a major factor in the outcome of games each week. Chuck Zodda breaks down the best and worst in special teams play, with a special love for kickers and punters. So when Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee runs a fake punt, you know Zodda went to the film room. Pat McAfee was so close…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From punt gunner to scramble drill, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From punt gunner to climbing the pocket, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with…
Football is littered with specialized terminology. From trips to press man, commentators rarely get to explain everything you need to know before the next play. Inside The Pylon’s glossary was developed to give fans a deeper understanding of the game through clear explanations, as well as image and video examples. Please contact us with any terms…
Our special teams guru spends most of his days locked in the ITP film vault, sorting through kickoff returns, blocked punts, and outstanding coverage. During his playing days, he attempted (and converted) many an extra point from the traditional distance. Chuck Zodda digs into the whether the NFL moving the distance on the point-after-touchdown will…
Punt gunners are like underwear – the only time most people notice them is when something goes wrong. But strong play from gunners can help punters pin teams in their own territory, winning the field position battle on special teams. Matthew Slater has been a punt gunner for the New England Patriots since his first…
Whether crazy punters, dreamy kickers, or ridiculously athletic returners, Chuck Zodda takes you inside the world of special teams as only a kicker can. Today, the art of drafting kickers and the math behind the picks. There have been only three instances in NFL history where a team selected a kicker in the first round…