Okay, so I heard about this Kohls Kicking All-Star Camp and thought, “Why not?” I’ve always wanted to see if I could actually kick a decent field goal, and this seemed like the perfect low-pressure way to give it a shot. Plus, I figured it would be a good workout.
First thing I did was register online. It was pretty straightforward, just basic info and stuff. I made sure to double-check the date and location, because I’m notorious for mixing those up.
Getting Ready
The day before the camp, I started to get a little nervous. I mean, I hadn’t really kicked a football seriously since…well, maybe ever. So, I did what anyone would do – I watched some YouTube videos. I focused on the basic techniques, like how to approach the ball, where to place my plant foot, and how to follow through.
I also made sure I had the right gear. I didn’t want to show up in jeans and sneakers. I dug out some old athletic shorts and a t-shirt, and luckily, I had some decent cleats from my failed attempt at joining a soccer league a few years back.
The Camp Itself
When I got to the camp, I was surprised by how many people were there! There were kids, adults, even some people who looked like they might actually know what they were doing. We were split into groups based on age and experience, which was good because I definitely didn’t want to be competing with any high school hotshots.
The coaches were awesome. They were super patient and explained everything really clearly. We started with some basic drills, just getting used to the feel of the ball and working on our approach. I felt awkward at first, like my legs were made of rubber, but I slowly started to get the hang of it.
- The Approach: This was all about getting the right steps and rhythm. I kept messing up my count, but eventually, I found a pace that felt somewhat natural.
- The Plant Foot: This was crucial. The coaches kept emphasizing how important it was to get the plant foot in the right spot, not too close, not too far, and pointed in the right direction. I think I stepped on the ball more times than I kicked it during this part.
- The Swing: This was the hardest part for me. I kept wanting to kick the ball as hard as I could, which, according to the coaches, is a big no-no. It’s all about technique and timing, not brute force.
- The Follow-Through: The Follow-Through part, the coach emphasis on how keep the movement natural.
Finally Kicking
After what felt like hours of drills (it was probably only an hour), we finally got to try some actual field goals. We started close, like really close, just to build confidence. I managed to make a few, which was a huge relief. It is not hard at beginning.
As we moved back, it got a lot harder. My kicks started going all over the place – short, wide, and sometimes, I even missed the ball completely. But hey, that’s part of learning, right?
By the end of the camp, I was exhausted, but I actually felt pretty good. I didn’t magically transform into an NFL kicker, but I definitely improved. And more importantly, I had a lot of fun. I even made a few friends, bonded over our shared struggles and occasional successes. I realized that sometimes, it’s good to try something new, even if you’re not very good at it. It’s all about the experience, right?
