football -- pooch punting

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Louis,
Thanks for getting back to me. Maybe my term was not the right one. I was thinking that in one scenario such a kick might be tried.

One team is winning by, say, 5 points as time is waning.  They have 4th and long from the opponents 25.  They decide they not to try a field goal (say, injury, bad field conditions, decide that 5 points is adequate protection against a FG the other way)and decide not to try a pass on 4th and long

Instead they dry a squibb, bounding, pooch or rugby or coffin corner kick -- whichever is the applicable term.  The goal would be to knock the ball out of bounds at around--if it works--the 5 yard line.  This would pin the other team way down and make a long drive with almost no time left almost impossible.

Do you remember that wild 49er-Giant playoff game two years ago?  The Giants were actually leading by 5 at the 49ers 24 yard line. I did read that someone had suggested that the Giants try some kind of pooch kick.  They did not.  Who knows, maybe they should have?

Anyway,that's my thought for the day.  Thanks again for your earlier response.

David (585) 244-2505



Today I was watching a game in which one coach had to decide whether to try a long field goal or to punt.

This made we wonder.  What is the shortest punt ever tried?  That is, has team ever punted inside their opponents 25 yard line? 20 yard?

Have you ever seen a REALLY short attempted pooch punt?

Thanks,
David Kramer
Answer -
I have never seen a punt inside the 25 yard line, and I can not think of a reason why someone would try. Anytime the ball is inside the 25 yard-line, your field goal kicker should be able to make that kick. And if he can not, why not just go for it on fouth down. I would not had tried a pooch punt.

Thank You for your question,
coach Louis.

Answer
Dear David Kramer,

If you have a punter that can kick the ball out of bounds at the five yard-line I say go for it!!! If you miss, the ball comes out to the 20-yard line,  if you go for it on forth down and you miss, then your opponent takes over on your 25-yard line. If you do not have a punter that can make that kick, you should go for it on forth down. Put the ball in the end zone and hope for a pass interference call.

Thank You for your question, your Friend, Coach Louis