Former Badger Taylor Mehlhaff runs kicker camp

MADISON With every kick that leaves the foot, Taylor Mehlhaff studies the result, good or bad, and processes what just took place. Did the kick not only make it through the uprights, but was solid contact made? Were the steps fluid and concise? Was there good height? They are questions Mehlhaff answers either by experience or as he consults the video.After that, the kick is retried, putting into effect all those points of emphasis and recommendations that Mehlhaff signaled out as areas that could be improved. After taking a step back and watching one his students kick one perfectly through the uprights, Mehlhaff unleashes a smile and gets right back to work.Although his dream of kicking in the NFL is still alive, Mehlhaff has taken a new approach to staying mentally sharp by running the Taylor Mehlhaff Kicking Camp, which had its first event this past Sunday in the Dave McClain Center on the campus of Wisconsin, the same building where Mehlhaff spent plenty of hours in college developing his craft.I think people enjoy doing things that they are good at and that they know well, Mehlhaff said after the kicking camp named after him competed Sunday. Over the years having studying my kicking, working with different coaches and guys in the NFL, Ive got a great knowledge with the art of kicking, so I enjoy working with these younger guys. It feels pretty cool when you see the transition the younger guys are making from the beginning of the camp to the end of the camp. In just a short time, Mehlhaff has started to build an impressive cliental of college football kickers, having worked with Chris Colombe (committed to Western Michigan), Ben LeCompte (committed to North Dakota State) and Drew Meyer (who will start workouts this week at Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on).I definitely recommend Taylors camps for every kicker around the country, Meyer said on Mehlhaffs website. Hes very thorough and gives you a lot of pointers one on one.That individualized, personal contact is just the way Mehlhaff likes to run his camp, which he has been doing for almost a year and a half and has four camps this summer, including one Sunday at St. Rita HS in Chicago. Keeping the groups small, like the 20-plus kids that were on Wisconsins campus Sunday, Mehlhaff and his staff of former college and current professional kickers and long snappers can give more individual attention to kickers compared to other camps.Another unique advantage to Mehlhaffs camp is the instant video feedback he gives his pupils. Mehlhaff and his staff tape every kick so as soon as the kick is executed, the kicker can come back and review what just transpired. As the video plays, Mehlhaff gives his teaching points, resulting in an instant correction on the next kick.A lot of the kickers are visual learners and we can talk about technique and different things, but it doesnt quite make sense to them until they can visually see themselves, Mehlhaff said. I think thats a huge teaching tool, because there is no right way to kick or punt. Every kicker is unique to his own style, so its the goal to give them the tools to make their technique successful.Header: Getting his BreakMehlhaff finished his career as Wisconsin's second-leading scorer in school history (295 points) and tied for second all-time in field goals (50). Mehlhaff also holds the Badgers' all-time record by making 145-of-148 extra point attempts (97.97 percent). The 2007 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, given to the nation's premier place-kicker, Mehlhaff also garnered All-American first-team honors as a senior. A three-year starter who handled all field goals and extra-point attempts, Mehlhaff was a major reason the opposition consistently had poor field position. In handling kickoff chores, 123 of his attempts were touchbacks and 160 of those kicks were returned for a 19.75-yard average, none for touchdowns. Although he was a decorated kicker at Aberdeen Central (SD) High School, Mehlhaff got his big break studying under Chris Sailer, a two-time All-American punter and kicker at UCLA that now runs a nationally renowned kicking camp. Mehlhaff was a national kickoff champion at Sailer's Kicking Camp, allowing him to get scholarship offers from Minnesota, South Carolina and Wisconsin.Mehlhaffs standout college career gave him an NFL opportunity, getting drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and quickly learning that the National Football League is a loveless business.Mehlhaff was a training camp casualty when he was unable to outperform incumbent kicker Marin Gramatica, but was resigned midway through the season when Gramatica was put on injured reserve.His debut started inauspiciously, misfiring on a 31-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter and later hooked his first kickoff out of bounds following a touchdown. Just like he did throughout college, however, Mehlhaff regrouped to kick field goals of 44 and 33 yards. Mehlhaff kicked the next two weeks for the Saints, making a 23-yard field goal and 5 of 6 extra point attempts, but was called into the office of head coach Sean Peyton following the Saints contest in London and was told his services would no longer be needed.Its been a little disappointing up to this point because I had a great opportunity being drafted by New Orleans, Mehlhaff said. Unfortunately, you miss a kick and what can you do? I would like to think there is a plan in place, but I would love to get back in a NFL camp for sure.Since then, Mehlhaff has bounced around. He was invited to training camp with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 before getting released, and eventually signed with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL last June.The work wasnt any easier. After he couldnt get out of his contract to sign a deal with the NFLs Seattle Seahawks, Mehlhaff missed an extra-point in the season opener against Omaha and in a game against Sacramento last November, he missed two chip shot field goals and sliced a kickoff out of bounds. With his team trailing by two with 26 seconds left, Mehlhaff missed another boot, but was given another chance with a running-into-the-kicker penalty was flagged.He nailed the 23-yarder that gave the Colonials a 27-26 victory on the final play of the game. "You need a kind of weird mentality to be a kicker,'' Mehlhaff said. To have a long career, you have to face some adversity.Thats the main reason a big part of Mehlhaffs camp is centered around a kicking competition, putting kickers in as high-pressure, uncomfortable situations as possible to prepare kids for those situations where all the eyes on them and experience them to perform.Wherever you go or whatever level you are playing at, there is going to be someone fighting for your job, Mehlhaff said. You have to compete and whats nice about our camp is built around the competition. You cant simulate the type of pressure theyd face in a game, but we try to have fun with it and the guys get really into it.With the ongoing NFL lockout, Mehlhaff is in a holding pattern like many other NFL free agents, waiting for the labor strife to get resolved and for him to start pursuing new opportunities. But while his dream career remains uncertain, he certainly isnt complaining about his pretty fun day job.In trying to keep my football career going, me teaching the game and doing all the coaching that has helped these kids, sometimes I have to hold myself accountable to make sure I am doing it right, as well, Mehlhaff said. In the end, it makes me a better kicker, as well. I feel like I am kicking the best I have in my career, so its fun to be able to experience that and help these guys follow go for their dreams, as well.