Along with Craig Hentrich and myself, two other top coaches at the camp were former Notre Dame punter Marc Nolan and former Georgia Tech long snapper Bret White. Marc has been coaching specialists for over 20 years and Bret has been working with long snappers for several years. What I liked about this camp was that it was intimate. We weren't going out to gather as many people as possible, rather, we wanted to be able to conduct a camp where we were able to effectively work with each camper.
"The difference between NCS camps and all other camps is the time spent teaching these young kickers and punters. At NCS Atlanta, we were not only able to chart and compete, but we were also able to share our years of knowledge and understanding of the art of kicking and punting. NCS Atlanta was a huge success," said Craig Hentrich.
"The difference between NCS camps and all other camps is the time spent teaching these young kickers and punters. At NCS Atlanta, we were not only able to chart and compete, but we were also able to share our years of knowledge and understanding of the art of kicking and punting. NCS Atlanta was a huge success," said Craig Hentrich.
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| from left to right: Husted, Hentrich, Nolan and White |
As a retired NFL kicker, it is always great to meet young, aspiring specialists. The times have certainly changed from when I was in high school. When I was in high school, there were maybe two kicking coaches out there and just a few camps. Now a days, it seems like everyone is a kicking coaching. There are only so many ways to kick, punt or snap. Besides teaching proper technique, additional benefit comes from being able to share my experience as a kicker at each level:
- High School
- College
- NFL
The talent level in Atlanta was very impressive.
Some of the kickers that stood out were:
During the last man standing field goal competition, Dallas and Jameson battled it for several rounds with Jameson prevailing. All three of these kickers have solid potential, but they also understand that you need more than potential. You need to train hard and be consistent.
As for kickoffs, again both Dallas and Jameson hammered some kickoffs deep. However, one of the punters, Chris Birozes, proved that he could drill his kicks deep. At the end of the kickoff competition, Chris was the last man standing with Jameson coming in second.
Some of the punters that displayed solid punting abilities were:
During the punting competition, some bombs were dropped, and Thomas O'Leary crushed one that proved the be key in winning the competition. Christopher Marc Nolan took 2nd place.
As for the Long Snappers, there were a few solid prospects including freshman Gunter LaPrad, who took 1st place in the Snapping Battle that was developed by NCS Long Snapping Coach, Nolan Owen of Nolan Owen Long Snapping. Long Snapping Coach Bret White was impressed with Julian Cole who took 2nd in the Battle.
In terms of the all the long snappers at the camp, Coach Bret White said, "Great competition both young and old. All snappers showed a willingness to adopt new techniques which led to significant improvements over the course of the camp."
Coach Marc Nolan was contacted by several parents after the event and he had this to say, "The camp in Atlanta was a great success from not only the campers who were in attendance, but with many of the parents who told me and our staff, that the instruction led sessions and the technical training by both Coach Husted and Coach Hentrich was of great benefit in an all day event. Allowing the parents to be part of the sessions was another great aspect."
Overall, the camp was a success on many levels and I am looking forward to going back to Atlanta for the next Championship Camp. Congrats to all of the competition winners. Keep training hard, on and off of the field.
