Celebrating the Drop Kick
I just heard that diminutive quarterback Doug Flutie successfully converted the NFL's first drop kick for an extra point since 1941.
I'll bet half the American football watching population doesn't even know what a drop kick is, much less seen one properly executed. For the uninitiated, a drop kick requires that the ball hit the ground before being kicked. A drop kick is legal in any situation where a "normal" kick or punt is permitted. It's challenging to pull off because of the unpredictable ways a football can bounce; the most successful technique seems to involve striking the ball with the toe almost simultaneously with the ball hitting the ground. I don't know the history of the technique, but it may well have come from rugby where it's used a lot.
It's pretty cool that Flutie gets to add this to his resumé, but it's not clear to me exactly why the play was called. It counts for just one point, when executed as a PAT, and it's much riskier than a standard placed kick. In our sandlot days, we'd call the play in an attempt to fool the other team into thinking we were going to do something different, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of strategic benefit in fooling your opponent into thinking you're going for two points after a touchdown and then kicking for one. If you have any insights about this, feel free to share them.
The term "drop kick" is probably better known nowadays as an essential part of the title and lyrics to this song.
Technorati tags: Doug Flutie | Drop Kick
There's actually workable theology in that concept.
Yeah, but is it talking about justification or sanctification?
And what about this line: I’ve got the will, Lord if you’ve got the toe.
This is deep stuff.
I heard tonight that the strategy behind the drop kick call in the game today was that Flutie asked the coach if he could try it. So much for strategy.
Posted by: Eric at January 1, 2006 10:30 PMWell, since my post over at the Streams rag was about the loss of football traditions [NO bowl games on New Years Day] I'm glad to hear this. I suspect that perhaps they lined up like they were going for 2 points on the PAT and then kicked it.
I'm all for the old style. I am trying to teach our young Jack the old Bob Cousy between the legs method of basketball free throw shooting. He says it's sissy. Perhaps but I'm damn good at it. He is getting quite good at the "hook shot" at which I'm also an expert.
Posted by: Wallace-Midland, Texas at January 2, 2006 12:02 AMThe mean Machine used the drop kick to score on the guards in the original "Longest Yard" ... I never saw the remake of LY, with Adam Sandler, so, I don't know if the drop kick was used in their game ...
Posted by: Jeff at January 2, 2006 07:37 AMJim, always glad to hear from another fan of Dr. Demento ... I used to tune-in every week ...
Posted by: Jeff at January 2, 2006 07:38 AMWallace, just tell me that you're not wearing those short shorts the old time basketball players wore...that's carrying tradition a bit too far, in my opinion. ;-)
Jeff, I didn't see the remake either...but I also didn't remember the original featuring a drop kick, so perhaps I did see the remake and have already forgotten it.
Posted by: Eric at January 2, 2006 08:47 AMJeff,
That venerable show is where I first heard Leonard Nimoy sing about Bilbo Baggins, and the inimitable Barnes and Barnes song 'Fish Heads' - eat them up, yum.
My dad and I listened on WMMR in Philadelphia... in the Official Home State of Bad Roads. ;-)
Okay Eric, you can have your comments section back now.
Posted by: Jim at January 2, 2006 10:16 PMOkay Eric, you can have your comments section back now.
Not a problem; feel free to make yourself at home.
If Dr. Demento was available in Texas when I was a mere 'ute, I guess I missed him. I do recall that a neighbor had an LP of his "work."
Posted by: Eric at January 3, 2006 06:48 AMAbout the publisher
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I have actually heard that song. When I was a kid my Dad and I used to listen to the Doctor Demento radio show, originating from under the smogberry trees in Burbank (?), CA.
So now I know what it means: That I have to hit bottom before Jesus can give me stratospheric momentum. There's actually workable theology in that concept.
Posted by: Jim at January 1, 2006 10:16 PM