Interviews with Robbie Gould and Mason Crosby
Posted 5/4 by Mike Herman, Exclusive for Footballguys.com
As part of Footballguys' ongoing kickology research, we asked kickers around the NFL a series of questions regarding the details of kicking. Whether it was just coincidence, or whether it was fate, the separate answers from the Bears' Robbie Gould and the Packers' Mason Crosby came forth within hours of each other. Perhaps it is just another chapter in the Chicago and Green Bay rivalry, the longest in the NFL.
The kicking game has undergone many changes since the two teams first met in 1921. Chicago's Dutch Sternaman led the league with five field goals made in 1921. Seven years later in 1928, Green Bay's Harry O'Boyle led the league with three field goals made. In 2006, Robbie Gould led the NFL with 32 field goals made. In 2007, Mason Crosby's 31 field goals were good for second place that year.
We didn't think to ask Gould and Crosby about Sternaman and O'Boyle. Nonetheless, following are their answers to the questions we did ask.
FBG: Regarding the fundamentals of a kick: from set-up through the snap, the hold, and the actual kick, could you describe the whole sequence of a typical kick?
Gould: I find a spot, usually on the corner of the hash (mark), and that gives the holder a point where he can put the ball. From there I take two steps back and two steps to the left, find my target behind the upright, wait for the snap and the hold, and then I attempt the kick.
Crosby: My steps are three back. I am at about two and a half yards from the ball, and I take two steps to the left. As I'm set the holder will have the spot and call "ready-set" and raise his right hand. I begin my approach as the holder's left hand goes to catch the ball. It all takes between 1.2 to 1.4 seconds, making it a very fast process.
FBG: Regarding different weather conditions, are there any adjustments you make when kicking in the rain? Wind? Bitter cold?
Gould: When kicking in the rain, you have to be aware of your plant foot. With the wind you have to judge it and play the ball according to how far the wind may pull the ball left or right. In bitter cold, you just have to hit a low-ball when you are further out.
Crosby: The adjustments are all slight. I may change plant shoe cleats to longer ones for rain. It all depends on the field. In windy conditions the main thing is to not over play the wind or over think it. Inside 40 yards, most winds will not affect the ball an extreme amount. Bitter cold is mainly controlling and containing body warmth and staying loose on the sidelines. It is all about focus in the cold and making sure you do not over swing trying to get more power.
FBG: Regarding playing surfaces, are there any differences between kicking on grass vs. FieldTurf or other artificial surfaces, and if so are there any adjustments you make?
Crosby: The only difference is in the plant shoe. I wear longer cleats in grass and shorter on turf. Other than that, I do not make big adjustments.
FBG: Does the K-ball used in games really make as much difference as we're led to believe?
Gould: The K-balls are brand new balls so they don't travel as far. If you have a ball that is more worked in, it is going to travel a lot further. The good thing about a new ball is that it doesn't move quite as much. An older ball that is a little more deflated will move right or left a bit more.
Crosby: K-Balls are brand new footballs for each game and are only worked in for 45 minutes before a game. This makes them less forgiving, but you will get a few really nice ones. It all depends on the quality of the ball and how well it is worked in. You don't get much consistency from ball to ball and I think that is a big reason we use a K-ball.
FBG: Do you make any technique adjustments when attempting a long field goal, as compared to a medium or short range kick?
Gould: No you keep everything the same. The only thing I would say about long field goals is, if you have a 60-plus yarder you are going to have to hit it a little bit lower.
Crosby: I try to kick every ball exactly the same way, no matter the distance. That keeps me from over swinging in long field goal situations.
FBG: Are there any technique differences between placekicking and kickoffs?
Crosby: It's mainly in the approach. Kickoffs are more steps and the ability to tee the ball up allows for more hang time.
FBG: Are there any particular stadiums in the NFL that you've come across so far that are more challenging to kick in than others?
Gould: Pittsburgh, Chicago, Green Bay, or any cold weather place that has a lot of wind is pretty tough.
Crosby: It's game to game on this one. Each stadium holds its own challenges. Any outdoor stadium may cause problems with wind and weather. NFL fans are die hard, so playing away games are always loud. Lambeau is a great place to play and can pose many weather related issues and our fans know how to bring it to keep opposing teams on edge.
FBG: Field goal accuracy across the league has gradually improved over the years. The last two years have seen an even bigger improvement than usual. What do you think may have led to this?
Gould: It's just a matter of kickers becoming more specialized. Guys are now kicking more often year round. We are really getting a grasp of wind-conditions and surface conditions.
Crosby: Kicking is becoming a very refined, detailed skill. There is more interest in the details and specialty of kicking. There is truly a high level of veteran kickers in the NFL. The guys who have been around improving the field goal percentages for years are becoming more and more accurate and pushing younger kickers to keep pace. It is a great challenge to have. Now the precedent has been set… we have no choice to but to keep accuracy at an all time high level.
FBG: Is there one thing about being a kicker that most people probably don't realize?
Gould: In game situations, you have to be an athlete and want the ball. If you don't like pressure and don't want the ball at the end, you're not going to have much success on game winning kicks.
Crosby: Kickers have to run and lift like everyone else. We cannot just walk out every year and kick without training.