Go long: the rise and rise of the NFL field goal

When the Indianapolis Colts' Blake Grupe blasted a career-best 60-yard field goal through the posts last weekend, it seemed yet another monster kick had decided an NFL game.

Seconds later, the Seattle Seahawks scored their own winning 56-yard kick, underlining how epic field goals that would not have even been attempted a decade ago are transforming American football.

"We're doing our job if we make it look easy," chuckles Brian Egan, specialist coach to several of the NFL's best kickers.

"It's like looking at two toothpicks 60 yards away, and you have 1.3 seconds with 11 people rushing at you... it's not easy," he tells AFP.

So, how have the latest crop of kickers almost literally pushed back the goal posts?

A fifth of all 60-yard field goals ever achieved in the NFL have happened this season, including Cam Little's record 68-yard stunner for the Jacksonville Jaguars last month. Little also slotted a jaw-dropping 70-yard effort in August, though that is not regarded as the NFL record because it occurred in a pre-season game.

Many attribute this spike to a new rule, which allows teams to attempt field goals using balls that they have trained with since the start of the season.

Using a familiar ball breeds confidence, whereas "kicking a brand new ball is like kicking a rock," explains Egan.

Repeated use can break in the seams, wear down tiny "grip" nubs on the ball's surface to create a smoother point-of-contact, and "fatten up" the leather.

"It gives it a little more pop," says Egan.

- 'Evolution' -

But this is only part of the explanation, he says.

NFL equipment staff have long been adept at using brushes, hot wet towels and other methods to break in game-day balls.

And records began tumbling before this year.

The Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey -- who trains with Egan -- holds the all-time career record for most 60-yard field goals, with six. Four came before this season.

The new ball rule "is helpful, there's no doubt," says Egan. But "what you're seeing is the evolution of kicking."

For decades, kickers strode straight up behind the ball and "toe punched" it with their big toe. Some even favored a barefoot approach.

"Soccer-style kicking" has taken over -- approaching diagonally and striking with the instep, for greater power and range.

Among the millions of young kids who play soccer, switching to the once unfashionable position of American football kicker "became a lot more popular over the past decade," says Egan.

Cameron Dicker, the NFL's most accurate ever kicker, grew up playing soccer in Hong Kong.

Some switch sports as adults, like Aubrey, who played soccer professionally in Canada. England soccer captain and NFL fan Harry Kane has even suggested he might one day try.

"Tell him to give me a call. Let's get him rolling!" says Egan.

- Training, and trust -

Training resources have improved beyond all recognition.

When Egan, 35, played college football, there were "only three or four" specialized kicking coaches and camps around.

Now they exist "throughout the country," he says.

Egan's workshops cover physical technique and the mental side, emphasizing a repeatable routine -- regardless of the stakes of the kick. This includes breathing techniques, and even how a player jogs onto the field.

"The weight room, technology, training, everything's kind of working hand-in-hand," says Egan.

And to make a mega-kick in an NFL game, your coach has to approve the three-point attempt. A missed effort hands the opposing team the ball in a dangerous position.

In 2015, NFL teams attempted just four 60-yard kicks all season. So far this season, kickers have made 18 attempts, converting ten.

"That comes down to kickers proving they can do it to their coaches," says Egan.

Interestingly, Egan says Aubrey never kicks above 60 yards in training, which would "wear out your leg" and is less useful than consistency from shorter range.

But "if he hits a 58- or 60-yard field goal to end his warm up routine, he's got a feel of how far he thinks he could hit it, if it came down to it," says Egan.

"You just gotta put a little more juice into it," he explains.

- 'No cap' -

So, how long can field goals get? Aubrey has previously said "70 will be the new 60."

Egan says the next decade will reveal if further gains are possible, or "if it plateaus around that 68, 70 yard mark."

"I don't want to put a cap on it," he says.

amz/rcw