Cyclone kicker Netten taking second look at mechanics

Editor's note: Sixth in a series breaking down the ISU football team, position by position. Saturday: Running backs

By Dylan Montz, correspondent

AMES - Strapped to the front of Cole Netten's helmet just above the facemask is the piece of technology that has made a big difference for him this offseason.

Throughout fall camp, the sophomore kicker from Ankeny has been using a GoPro video camera each day in practice. The camera is pointed at a downward angle to show Netten's feet, allowing him to go back later and watch the footage as another tool to correct his form.

'I love it,” Netten said. 'It shows a nice angle of stuff that happens way too fast during practice. We like to slow that down a lot; check plant foot, check how long my head's been down and where I'm hitting contact on the ball ... so that helps a lot.”

Throughout the summer and fall, Netten has worked more with his holder and long-snapper - junior Austin Fischer and senior Spencer Thronton, respectively - than ever before. Fischer estimated of the 40 minutes those specialists spend in the film room, 35 of those are dedicated just to Netten's performance.

Coach Paul Rhoads said Netten's commitment in the film room, as well as in the summer, have helped his progression. And having a player that truly embraces their role as a specialist is something Rhoads feels blessed about.

'He got a lot of work done this summer and he's really consistent right now,” Rhoads said of Netten. 'I've always established a goal of being really good from 40 in. And then I've hurt our guys' numbers by not being afraid to kick 41-plus.

'And right now he's really good from 40 in.”

Something Netten has also focused on in the offseason is his ability to kick longer field goals. During fall camp, Netten said his longest make was from 54 yards, which he credits to the weight training in the summer, particularly a machine specifically for strengthening his hip.

'That's really big,” Netten said. 'Because it's not really about strength for how far the ball goes, it's how fast you swing your leg, which starts with the hip.”

Fischer, who played two years of junior college baseball at Marshalltown Community College before coming to Iowa State and redshirting last season, was Netten's holder at Ankeny. Having that chemistry with Netten before he joined the Cyclones was a bonus, but Fischer said it has continued to improve.

Fischer has witnessed Netten's growth as a kicker throughout the summer and the first couple weeks of fall camp.

'I've noticed his longer kicks are becoming more and more accurate, which is fantastic,” Fischer said. 'Last year he was great from inside 40 (yards) and getting past 40 was a little iffy. But now as soon as we're done with practice, he can go up (to the film room) and watch the film and see where his foot is and make the corrections.”

Netten did admit there are days where the ball just doesn't seem to be coming off this foot like he wants, but he knows it's all about the mentality you take fixing the problem. To him, that's what will separate a good kicker from a great kicker.

'That's just the life of kicking,” Netten said.

l Comments: montzdylan@gmail.com