NFL for beginners: Why do kickers squeeze the football?

An NFL kicker is one of the most underappreciated job descriptions in the National Football League. That is unfair, considering how many kickers have swung the pendulum of crucial NFL games in their teams' favor. The average kicker earns way less than other positional players, and only elite kickers are known to smile in the bank.

So today, we will be shining the light on one of the most important positions on the Gridiron, that of the kicker. Here, we will explain a myth that you probably noticed over time. As we shall discuss, why exactly do kickers squeeze the football?

So why do NFL Kickers squeeze the football?

The kicking position has been around since the beginning of the NFL, and kickers occupy the vast majority of top point scorers in NFL history. All Super Bowl-aspiring teams need to employ the services of a top-notch kicker, and there is no way around it. The list goes on and on, Morten Andersen, Adam Vinatieri, and Justin Tucker. While there are only four placekickers enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, many more have altered the game forever.

However, almost every kicker in the twenty-first century has an unusual habit: aggressively squeezing the ball before kicking it for a field goal or punt. This is unique to the NFL, as we rarely see it in rugby, soccer, or other ball-kicking sports. So, what is the reason for this?

The NFL employs special "K balls" for special teams plays, which differ slightly from the regular match ball. These "K balls" are said to be a placekicker's worst nightmare. They are said to be slick and difficult to control in the air. The reason for this is that these balls have been untouched prior to the game; they are rather shiny and aren't forgiving to a bad touch.

To combat the "K balls" scourge, Kickers began squeezing balls, shoving them into the turf, and doing everything they could on the field to dull the shine. This has produced inconclusive results, and we suspect it is a psychological issue at this point. The squeeze technique has no scientific backing or research to back it up, but that won't stop your favorite placekicker from using it.

So, just like the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. NFL kickers have been squeezing and making their field goals over the years; they shouldn't be stopping anytime soon.

Two kickers that you should have in your Fantasy Lineup

A solid placekicker could be between a fantasy football win and a rather disappointing loss. As such, we advise that you pick your kicker with as much care as you are picking your wide receiver. So, here are two placekickers that would be assets to your 2022 fantasy football team heading into the playoffs.

1. Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys play with a certain swagger about them. Is this due to their stifling defense or their extra confident running game? But over here, they are confident that Brett Maher will score a game-winning field goal as the rest of the team would perform. Maher is having an amazing 2022 NFL season, arguably performing as the greatest kicker of all time in the process.

Maher went 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and scored all four extra-point tries in his team's week 16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the third time this season that he has made four out of four field goals as part of the Cowboys' postseason push.

2. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

The Tom Brady of Kickers, Justin Tucker will likely be a Pro Football Hall of Famer by the time he hangs up the cleats. The Baltimore Ravens legend has had a typically excellent season with the Ravens and has helped them qualify for the postseason. Ravens fans will never forget his heroics in their last Super Bowl triumph, and they will be hoping for yet another push.

The GOAT Kicker scored three of his four field goals and scored an extra point in a week 16 win against the short-handed Atlanta Falcons. Tucker typically turns up the heat in the postseason, so opposing teams will be wary of giving him a kick within field goal range.