An amateur place kicker attempts to kick a field goal

Placekicker, or simply Kicker, is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points, and, in many cases, kickoffs. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A field goal (formerly goal from the field) is a general term used in some sports wherein a goal may be scored either during general play (from the field) or via some sort of free shot. ... Canadian football is a sport in which two teams of twelve players each compete for territorial control of a field of play 110 yards (100. ... A field goal (formerly goal from the field) in American football and Canadian football (collectively called gridiron football) is a goal that may be scored during general play (from the field). Execution of a field goal A field goal may be scored by a placekick or the very rare drop... In American football, the extra point, point after touchdown, or PAT is the act of lining up to kick, as in a field goal, immediately following a touchdown. ... A kickoff is a method of starting or restarting play in American football. ...

Specialized role of Kicker (vs punter)

The kicker initially was not a specialized role. Until the 1960s, the kicker was almost always doubled at another position on the roster. As the era of "two-way" players gave way to increased specialization, teams would employ a specialist at punter and kicker. Because the skills are different enough, and to reduce the risk of injury, on the professional level most teams employ separate players to handle the jobs. The placekicker usually will only punt when the punter is injured. (One player handles both jobs in the Canadian Football League, which has smaller active rosters than in the NFL.) Occasionally a professional team will even have a kicker who handles only the kickoffs and serves as a backup to the kicker who handles field goals and extra points, typically to further protect a premier kicker from injury or if their premier kicker, while accurate, does not have the leg strength to kick the long kicks required for kickoffs. Todd Sauerbrun punts the ball for the Carolina Panthers. ... [[Image:|frame|right|Todd Sauerbrun punts the ball for the Carolina Panthers. ... Lions Stampeders Eskimos Roughriders Blue Bombers Tiger-Cats Argonauts Alouettes The Canadian Football League (CFL), also known by its French name, Ligue canadienne de football (LCF), is a professional sports league located in Canada that plays Canadian football, and is the second most popular sports league in Canada. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ...

Amateur teams (e.g., college, high school) often do not differentiate between placekickers and punters, have different players assume different placekicking duties (for example, one person handles kicking off, another kicks long field goals, and another kicks from shorter distances), or have regular position players handle kicking duties. The last option is quite common on high school teams, when the best athletes are often the best kickers. Before the modern era of pro football, this was also the case for professional teams, particularly when most place kicks were still made in the "straight on" style outlined below.

Salary, stature

Placekickers and punters are frequently the lowest-paid starters on professional teams, although proven placekickers sometimes earn over a million dollars per year in salary. In addition, kickers are at times ostracized by other players due to the non-physical nature of their duties.

Kicking style

Placekickers today are almost all "soccer-style" kickers, approaching the ball from several steps to the left or right of it and several steps behind. Before this method of kicking was popularized in the 1960s, almost every kicker was a "straight on" kicker, a style that does not include coming at the ball from the side at all, but rather from straight back. Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ...

Shoes

Placekickers in the modern game usually wear specialized shoes, but in rare circumstances some prefer to kick barefoot. Tony Franklin was one such kicker, who played in Super Bowls for the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. More recently, Englishman Rob Hart kicked barefoot during his 7-year NFL Europe career. Walking barefoot Going barefoot is the practice of not wearing shoes, socks, or other foot covering. ... Tony Franklin was a kicker with a 10 year career. ... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... NFL Europa is an American football league which operates in Europe. ...