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The Complete Handbook of American Football Kicking Tees & Holders
A practical reference for coaches, equipment managers, manufacturers, and serious players
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding American Football Kicking Tees & Holders
A kicking tee in American football is a simple device: a cone or pedestal of rubber, plastic, or foam, typically between 1 and 3 inches tall, designed to hold a football at a specific height above the ground during a placekick. It sits on the ground at the spot where the kicker will strike the ball—on extra points (conversions) or field goal attempts. The tee does one primary job: position the ball so that the kicker's foot meets it at the optimal angle and height for the motion that will launch it between the uprights and above the crossbar.
The holder, by contrast, is a role rather than always a physical device. In every placekicking scenario in American football, someone must stabilize the football while it sits on the tee. That person—almost always the punter or a backup quarterback—receives the snap from the long snapper, places the ball on the tee in a precise orientation (usually with the laces facing away from the kicker), and holds it there with one or two fingers until the kicker's foot makes contact. In some cases, particularly in youth or amateur settings, a mechanical holder or stand might be used instead of a person, but the principle remains: the ball must be held steady and correctly oriented.
Together, the tee and holder create the foundation for a placekick. Neither device is complex, but both are essential, and understanding how they work together—and why specific dimensions