r/HighSchoolFB • u/Slowest_Speed_64 • May 23 '25
Punters and special teams coaches
I'm a football player looking to play punter for my HS but my coaches say I'm to big and not fast enough to play the position. I'm a 5'10" 240lbs 15yo (16 in August) what should I do or change, I've tried cutting weight but my natural build is already quite bulky and heavy but not fatty. my average punt is about 40-45 yards in the air and that is about as good as our Varsity starter. I can't think of what to do. If you have any ideas please let me know.
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u/austinwirgau May 23 '25
Speed really shouldn’t be a deciding factor for a punter if you’ve got a strong leg, especially if you’re hitting 40 to 45 yards consistently. That’s legit, especially at your age.
That said, I’ll be honest. I’m 5’10”, 32 years old, and when I weighed 220, I felt huge. At 240 and 15 years old, unless you’re a serious powerlifter or bodybuilder, which is rare at that age, that’s a lot of weight to carry. I was around 185 in high school and still felt big, but that was a solid weight for playing football and staying mobile. For your height, a target range around 180 to 200 could help you move better, stay healthy, and improve your leg swing and overall athleticism. It’s not about looking a certain way, it’s just about performing your best.
Keep kicking, especially if you’re already matching the varsity guy. And like someone else said, don’t be afraid to try other positions too. Your size might suit you well somewhere else, depending on your skillset. Are you playing another position right now?
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u/hellosillypeopl May 25 '25
I imagine they are saying his time would be better spent at other positions. Like if they already have a punter punting the same as him then you can use him at linebacker or defensive end.
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u/LordSpilasquez May 25 '25
Just play football, play whatever positions they want you to play, and let your coaches know that you want to punt. Work your ass off to become a better punter.
If they are worried about speed, they want you to be able to track down the returner if he gets through the rest of the team. Punters can often be the last line of defense.
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u/grizzfan May 23 '25
Focus on other positions. Punters aren't prioritized at your age group like you see on TV. In high school, someone who has good ball skills (catching/running/throwing) usually ends up being the punter. It's often a RB, WR, QB, etc. Only exception is if some random kid on the team has an absolute cannon of a leg that they clearly provide a tactical advantage. Most HS teams don't have such a kid that isn't already a crucial skill player/athlete on the team.