Essential Gear for Kickers: Your Complete Starter Pack

Becoming an elite kicker or punter requires thousands of reps, and to get those reps in, you need to have the right tools. Showing up to the field with just your cleats and a single football isn’t enough if you’re serious about mastering your craft. A dedicated specialist needs their own set of equipment to ensure every practice session is as efficient and productive as possible.

At The Kicking System, we often get asked what equipment a young kicker truly needs. Here is our definitive guide to building your own “Kicker’s Starter Pack.”

1. Footballs

The single most important investment you can make is in your own set of footballs. You can’t have a productive practice if you’re spending half your time chasing down one ball.

How Many: We recommend having at least 5-6 footballs at your disposal. This allows you to get into a rhythm and kick multiple balls in a row before having to retrieve them.
Pro Tip: Getting brand new, top-of-the-line footballs can be expensive. For practice, we highly recommend the “Blem” footballs from Wizard Sports. These are brand new balls that have minor cosmetic blemishes, making them significantly cheaper than their “perfect” counterparts. They kick exactly the same and are the most cost-effective way to build your collection.
Youth Options: Wizard Sports also has great, affordable options for youth kickers who are not yet using a high school sized ball. You can find them here.

2. Kickoff Tees

If you handle kickoff duties for your team (or want to), you need to practice with a variety of tees to find what works for you and to be prepared for any situation. Every tee has a different feel and height. Owning your own allows you to build consistency. For a versatile and reliable option, we recommend the Ground Zero Kickoff Tees from Wizard Sports. If you are just starting out, a 2-inch tee is a great way to build confidence and proper form. As you advance, you can move to a 1-inch tee to prepare for the collegiate and professional levels.

3. Placekicking Blocks

For high school kickers, placekicking blocks are an essential tool for building consistency, especially when kicking off the ground. These blocks help ensure the ball is placed at the exact same height for every kick, allowing you to perfect your technique. We recommend having a set that includes half-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch blocks, like those available at Wizard Sports, to adjust to different field conditions and personal preferences.

4. Field Goal Holder

A dedicated field goal holder is a non-negotiable piece of equipment. It allows you to practice on your own without needing a teammate to hold for you. This is crucial for getting in reps whenever you have a spare moment. For reliability and a consistent hold every time, the Wizard Kicking Stix is a must-have. It’s stable, durable, and mimics the feel of a real human hold as closely as possible.

5. The Right Kicking Shoes

Your kicking shoe is the only piece of equipment that directly connects you to the ball. The right pair can make a significant difference in your feel and consistency. The debate between a soccer cleat and a traditional football cleat is a big one, and we’ve dedicated an entire article to it.

For a deep dive into finding the perfect shoe for you, read our blog post: The Ultimate Guide to Kicking Shoes

6. Recovery & Maintenance Tools

A kicker’s body is their instrument, and keeping it finely tuned is essential for longevity and performance. Don’t forget these essentials:

Towel: A simple but crucial tool for drying off wet footballs or wiping your hands to ensure a clean grip and strike.
Stretching Rope: Perfect for pre-practice dynamic stretching and post-practice static stretching to maintain and improve flexibility in your hamstrings and hips.
Muscle Roller Stick & Foam Roller: A portable muscle roller stick (like this one) and a shorter foam roller are must-haves for working out knots and aiding muscle recovery after a tough session.
Lacrosse & Golf Ball: These are perfect for deep-tissue massage on smaller, hard-to-reach muscle groups like the glutes, hips, and feet. A lacrosse ball is great for larger muscles, while a golf ball can target specific trigger points to help loosen tight muscles.

7. Measurement & Analysis Tools

To truly refine your technique, you need to be able to measure it. Data-driven feedback is key to consistent improvement.

Tape Measure: Absolutely essential for ensuring your steps for field goals are precise and repeatable every single time. Consistency starts with your setup.
Stopwatch: The only way to accurately measure critical metrics like hang time on kickoffs and punts. It is also essential for timing your operation (the time from snap to kick) when working with a holder and snapper. Tracking this data is critical for understanding your progress and performance.

8. Miscellaneous Essentials

These are the small things that make a big difference, especially when you’re at a large camp or a team practice.

Sharpie: To label all your equipment. When you’re at a camp with dozens of other kickers, you need to make sure your gear doesn’t get mixed up with someone else’s.
Water Bottle & Snacks: Hydration is non-negotiable for performance, focus, and preventing cramps. Always have a full water bottle. Keep a simple, effective snack like a banana or granola bar in your bag to maintain energy levels during a long session.
Athletic Tape: For minor adjustments to your cleats or for ankle/wrist support.
Extra Apparel: Always pack an extra change of clothes. A fresh shirt, socks, and shorts can make all the difference after a tough practice session, especially during a long camp or tournament weekend.
Camera & Tripod: A portable camera, iPad, or phone and a tripod are invaluable tools. Recording your kicks allows you to analyze your own form and is essential for creating the highlight tapes you’ll need for college recruiting.
Team Equipment: While you might not carry them in your bag for solo practice, always have your helmet, shoulder pads, and mouthguard ready for any team-related activities.
Electric Air Pump: Modern electric pumps are a game-changer. They save valuable practice time and allow you to set the exact PSI for your footballs, ensuring a consistent feel for every kick. TKS has had great success with the Airmoto e-pump: https://a.co/d/7xyaSnc

9. A Big Duffle Bag

Now that you have all this gear, you need a way to carry it. Don’t underestimate the importance of a large, durable duffle bag. You’ll need something big enough to comfortably fit 5-6 footballs, your tees, holder, cleats, recovery tools, and all your other accessories. For a bag specifically designed for this purpose, we recommend the Wizard Sports Kicker’s Ball Bag.

Investing in your own equipment is investing in your career. By building this starter pack, you are taking a professional approach to your training and setting yourself up for a successful season.

About The Kicking System

Founded by former NFL and Division I kicker John Matich, The Kicking System is a premier training organization dedicated to developing elite kickers and punters. Based in San Diego, CA, we provide specialized coaching that focuses on flawless mechanics, explosive power, and the mental toughness required to succeed at the highest levels of football. Our comprehensive approach helps athletes from youth leagues to the professional ranks achieve their full potential.