A comparison of the effectiveness of two methods of punting, the vertical drop method and the push up and out method, on the development of distance, hangtime, and direction among novice punters.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two methods of punting: the vertical drop method and the push up and out method and the effect that these methods have on distance, hangtime, and direction in punting. Forty-five subjects were selected and assigned to three groups: a control group and two experimental groups. The three groups were pre-tested on distance and hangtime, and post-tested on distance, hangtime and direction. The two experimental groups participated in a four week treatment phase utilizing the vertical drop method or the push up and out method. An analysis of variance was used in this study to determine the degree of variation in effectiveness of directional punting among the three groups. To determine the degree of variation in effectiveness of punting for distance and hangtime among the three groups, an analysis of covariance was used. If a significant difference appeared in the three groups tested, the Tukey test was implemented to locate the difference. The subjects that trained with the push up and out method of punting scored significantly higher in distance than did the control subjects or the vertical method subjects. Data on hangtime and direction exhibited no differences. These results led to the rejection of the null hypothesis among the three groups. Based on the results of this study, there is a significant difference in effectiveness in distance between the two methods of punting: the vertical drop and the push up and out drop. This same study concludes that there is no significant difference for hangtime and direction.