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Coach Bill Renner
Head Football Coach
East Chapel Hill High School
Author and Teacher
Expert Trainer of Punters and Kicker since 1981 |
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Few people accept the mental challenge of mastering a physical skill. Many people will accept and do the physical work necessary to become highly skilled. It is the few who become masters, assuming you can master a skill, that people want to learn from. Why?
Not because of their physical prowess but because of their ability to make the skill come alive mentally so the learner can vision what it is they are supposed to do. If the learner cannot find a mental vision of how the physical activity needs to be done then he can never reach the mastery level.
All actions begin with thoughts. Thus, the correct thoughts need to be in place prior to the action. This is the significance of having a person who understands why and how to teach/communicate the mental process of a physical skill.
I have worked with many elite level punters and kickers over the past 25+ years. Those athletes have gone on to perform in the Super Bowl, become All-Pro, and have reached the highest level of achievement in their profession. James Wilhoit is in the elite of the elite with regard to understanding and processing the skill of kicking.
When James came to me he had already reached a high level of skill performance at the University of Tennessee. He was skilled, adept and had helped his team win. He also had experience with coaching the kicking and punting skills having worked instructing young athletes in Tennessee and Arizona. Thus, his mind was in the process of seeking what the essential mechanics of kicking and punting are.
During this discovery process, ignited by his coaching, he learned new details of kicking that fueled a desire to kick again. He felt he still had the potential to be elite and now he felt there was some mental knowledge which had he known before would have made his career even better. So, after an almost 2 year lay off from kicking, he sought my advice on how to train, how to get back in shape and pull out the extra level he felt he had and become his best. This is a remarkable commitment after being off so long.
In the following 6 months James made the commitment to do the daily training program I laid out for him. It was 6 days a week with only Sunday’s off. He got his body in shape to kick, he worked on the mental attitude he needed to reach elite status, he videoed every kick and we analyzed it, he asked probing questions to secure his thoughts on exactly what he wanted to do, he felt each kick and we discussed what it meant in terms of ball flight control. He filled-out the daily charts we needed to monitor his progress and in essence he pursued his best with a relentless attitude and work ethic. I was just the facilitator of keeping him moving along that path with drills, analysis and the elite thought processes he needed as he grew.
Elite level kickers and punters can control ball flight. They can control the height, distance and accuracy on command. Kicking and punting is not a “hit and hope” skill for them. 6 months later James has grown into an elite level kicker with an elite level knowledge of how to kick a football. He understands how to kick and he can perform those elite techniques at a pro level. I have every confidence in James ability to disseminate this information to whomever he instructs.
As a head high school football coach and teacher for over 26 years, I know that it does not matter how much you know or can do if you don’t care enough to do whatever it takes to help the person you are coaching/teaching become better. It is a commitment that requires you to be selfless. James has this selfless passion. He demonstrated it to me as I pushed him and challenged him in his training. And it was his passion that enabled him to reach elite status.
There are three components to developing your skill to a high level, talent, skill and toughness. Toughness, the ability to respond to negative emotions or situations properly, allows performers to become elite. Because without the commitment of not quitting when the work or situation gets tough your talent and skill become useless. James can teach toughness because he has it in him. And, you want any teacher or coach to have the toughness mindset or else they will give up on you when your development becomes stagnant, and it will. They need to be able to push themselves to be able to push you.
I whole heartedly recommend James Wilhoit as an elite instructor. He will train you to become your best just as he trained himself to become his best.
Coach Gary Zauner
Former 13 Year NFL Special Teams Coordinator
1993 – 2001 – Minnesota Vikings
2002 – 2005 Baltimore Ravens
2006 Season Arizona Cardinals |
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James has been my assistant for a year. He was an excellent All American kicker at the University of Tennessee. James came to me for One on One Lessons and later decided to be a kicking coach.
Right now as a kicking consultant he is doing an excellent job working with young people.If you are a high school kicker looking for some technique work I highly recommend him for field goal technique, kickoffs, and he is also working with punting.
If you are a high school kicker call James Wilhoit...he will do a heck of a job for you!
Eddie Gran
Assistant Coach:
Florida St (ST Coach & Running Backs) 2010-Present
U. of Tennessee (ST Coach & Running Backs) 2009
Auburn (ST Coach & Running Backs) 1999-2008
Ole Miss (ST Coach & Running Backs) 1995-1998 |
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"James expertise on developing specialists is as good as anyone in the country. His personal touch with each player separates him from other coaches."
Shane Beamer
Assistant Coach:
Virginia Tech (ST Coach & Running Backs) 2011-Present
South Carolina (ST Coach & DB Coach) 2007-2011
Mississippi State (Assistant Coach) 2004-2006
U. of Tennessee (Grad Assistant) 2001-2003 |
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"I had the pleasure of working with James at the University of Tennessee. I was always impressed with his work ethic and desire to be great. James was consistent in his approach day in and day out. There's no question he's the perfect coach and teacher to learn from."
Dr. Craig Wrisberg
Retired
Professor of Sport Psychology
and Mental Training Consultant
University of Tennessee |
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"I first met James Wilhoit in the fall of 2002 when he approached me about working on his mental approach to kicking.I knew that James had been an All-American kicker in high school and would likely be assuming the kicking duties at Tennessee the following season. Throughout his red-shirt year, James scheduled weekly sessions with me to identify the focus and emotions he wanted to have whenever he kicked.
We then began putting together a pre-kick routine he could incorporate into his practice sessions. Every time James would attempt a kick he would use the routine. A year later when his opportunity arrived James won the placekicking job, held it for the next four years, and earned both All-SEC and All-American honors during his career.
Over the past 25 years I have worked with hundreds of athletes but few have devoted the time and energy to developing their mental game the way James did. For anyone interested in working with a coach who knows the technical, tactical, AND mental aspects of placekicking I strongly encourage you to contact Coach Wilhoit and plan to spend some time with him.
I assure you that with James' assistance you will develop the kind of kicking package that will give you the confidence you want to have EVERY TIME you're called upon to put 3 points on the scoreboard." |
