How much does the cold really bother a kicker? (1 Viewer)

[mashers]

Everybody looks at weather especially this time of year and was wondering if kicking a frigid ball - in Green Bay, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, etc - really makes much difference not factoring in wind and snow. Thoughts?

 

[Mike Herman]

from interview with Ryan Longwell:

FBG: You just touched on my next question regarding kicking in different weather conditions. Specifically rain, is there anything you actually alter when kicking in the rain?

RL: You've just got to hit the ball solid, whether it's wind or rain or snow or a perfect day. You gotta hit the ball solid and you've got to start it on the line you're aiming at. Whether that's in Lambeau or in the Metrodome it really doesn't differ. It's just a lot less elements to factor in when you're kicking in a covered stadium.

FBG: Does the same answer apply to bitter cold?

RL: Bitter cold is more mental than anything else. You just have to understand that the ball is not gonna fly. That same field goal that'll fly 55 or 60 yards in August is probably going about 40 yards in December. You have to realize that the ball is going to be hard and it's not going to fly very far.

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