Football kicking tees are essential pieces of equipment for kickers and punters to practice their kicking technique and improve their skills. With many options on the market, choosing the right kicking tee takes some consideration to find one well-suited to your needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we discuss what to look for when shopping for new football kicking tees in 2024 so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
What to Consider When Buying a Football Kicking Tee
There are several key factors to evaluate when selecting a football kicking tee:
Height Adjustability
- Height adjustability allows you to set the kicking tee at your ideal ball height for practicing different types of kicks.
- Look for options with at least 4-6 adjustable height settings to customize the tee height as needed.
- Models with smooth sliding adjustment mechanisms make it easy to tweak the height before each kick.
Base Size and Weight
- A wide, heavy base provides stability to prevent the tee from tipping over during powerful kicks.
- Look for a weighted base spanning at least 8-12 inches wide for reliable stability.
- Non-skid rubber on the bottom ensures good ground traction.
Durability
- Durable kicking tees are made from tough materials like hardened plastic, aluminum, or steel to withstand repeat kicks over time without damage.
- Pricier metals like rust-resistant aluminum or powder-coated steel offer exceptional longevity.
Portability
- Collapsible, folding, or disassembling designs create compact kicking tees for easy transport to practice fields.
- Carrying cases protect adjustable components and prevent losing pieces.
Affordability
- While professional-grade kicking tees run $30-100+, budget-friendly options under $25 work sufficiently for casual backyard practices.
- Compare features between price points to strike the right balance for your needs and budget.
By keeping these key considerations in mind while shopping, you’ll find a high-quality football kicking tee providing reliable performance all season long.
5 Recommended Football Kicking Tees for 2024
Based on the criteria outlined for stability, adjustability, durability, transportability, and value, here are 5 of the top-rated football kicking tees recommended for 2024:
1. Champion Sports Deluxe Kicking Tee
- 4 adjustable height settings from 2” up to 7”
- Wide 12” x 12” weighted plastic base for stability
- Foam padded upright prevents ball damage
- Carrying handle for easy transport
- Under $16 for simple yet reliable performance
This affordably-priced Champion Sports tee provides adjustable heights to meet most kickers’ needs with a study base and foam padding for ball protection. The handle simplifies carrying this lightweight tee to and from the field.
2. Kicking Aids K3 Pro Kicking Tee
- 1” height increments from 1” up to 10”
- 14” long x 10” wide heavy weighted base
- Rust-resistant powder coated steel construction
- Carrying case included
- $99 for premium adjustable performance
Offering professional-level quality, the K3 Pro Kicking Tee delivers excellent sturdiness and smooth 1-inch adjustable height settings covering all standard ball positions. Built of heavy-duty materials with included case, it’s built to last through seasons of use.
3. SKLZ Heavy Duty 4-in-1 Universal Football Kicking Tee
- 4 height positions from 2.5” up to 7.5”
- Improved weighted octagonal base for superior stability
- Foam covered upright prevents ball abrasions
- Folds flat for storage/transport
- Under $38 for enhanced functionality
With its uniquely shaped heavier base resisting tipping, foam protectors shielding the ball, and convenient collapsible folding design, the Expert Kicking Tee presents an attractive mid-range option blending practicality, performance and value.
4. Champion Sports Football Kicking Tee
- Tool-free height adjustment from 3” up to 7.5”
- Low-profile weighted base with cleat for secure footing
- Heavy-duty aluminum alloy construction
- Carry bag included
- Under $70 for uncompromising quality
Constructed tough from lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, the KPR600 kicking tee delivers a perfect balance of strength, stability, adjustability and transportability football kickers demand thanks to clever engineering and thoughtful design.
5. True Strike Pro Football Kicking Tee
- Electronically adjusts from 0” up to 10”
- Instant one-button height positioning
- Sturdy weighted base and aluminum frame
- Remote control, batteries included
- $159 for ultimate height-setting convenience
Featuring electric remote operation, the innovative Smart Tee creates the ideal height in seconds through advanced electronics controlling its elevation – no manual adjustment required. Paired with quality materials for a solid foundation, it’s unmatched for responsive precision performance.
How to Choose The Best Football Kicking Tee for Your Needs
Choosing your ideal kicking tee involves prioritizing the factors most important for your particular kicking style and typical practice scenarios.
Determine Required Adjustability Range
Consider your collection of kicks needing practice when deciding adjustable height range:
- Kickoffs and punts demand lower 3-4 inch tee heights
- 4-7 inches suited for shorter field goals and PATs
- A 10 inch setting useful for long 50+ yard field goal training
Identify your tallest essential tee height for full kick types practice.
Assess the Importance of Portability
Think about your training spaces and storage to determine portability needs:
- In backyard home practices, movability is less critical
- Stashing a tee in a packed car requires collapsibility
- Carrying cases useful transitioning across fields
If constantly transporting, compact folding/disassembly capabilities help significantly.
Evaluate Necessary Stability
Kicking power translates to force against the tee, so sufficient stability prevents tipping:
- Heavier weighted bases with deeply planted cleats best resist powerful impacts
- Lighter tees may wobble but offer compromises benefiting transport
- Brands rate weight limits indicating maximum kicker size/strength suitability
Understand tradeoffs between unwieldy transport and stability assisting techniques.
Consider Affordability Given Intended Use
Budget tee limitations involve durability and longevity:
- Casual backyard kickers succeed with basic affordable tees
- School multi-team daily use demands heavy-duty construction
- College-level kickers need higher-end responsive adjustability
Think through multi-year cost efficiency relative to materials quality and key features matching session intensity.
Read Kicking Tee Reviews
Credible customer reviews reveal real-world performance outside marketing claims:
- Height adjustment mechanism functionality over time
- Tip-over tendencies for power kickers
- Component failures/breakage after rugged use
- Ease transporting to fields during seasons
Identify actual advantages and issues before purchase based on user experiences.
By realistically weighing personal needs against product capabilities, the right kicking tee dutifully supporting your continued improvement emerges. Think through height range, stability, portability, and value considerations most vital for your kicks.
Helpful Tips for Using Your Football Kicking Tee
Once you select your ideal kicking tee, employ these tips to help perfect form and technique:
- Initially set tee heights lower building fundamental skills before max elevation high kicks
- Keep laser-focused eyes downfield throughout the entire kicking motion not glancing at the ball/tee
- Practice different approach angles to tee responsibly simulating chaotic game situations
- Maintain upright torso alignment through impact not bending sideways and losing sight of the target
- Resist adjusting plant-foot steps prematurely before consistently striking sweet spot
- Stick religiously to mechanical processes without rushing frustrations disrupting the rhythm
- Chart kick distances numerical feedback better informs refinement needs
- Invest fully in proper warm-ups reducing injury risks by stretching specific muscle groups
- Hydrate frequently between kicking sessions preventing cramping dehydration effects
- Record video from behind to self-audit and correct leaning/balance issues
Implementing proven training processes maximizes your football kicking tee’s performance-elevating advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football Kicking Tees
Q: Are expensive kicking tees worth paying more for just starting out?
A: Very affordable kicking tees around $20 provide sufficient quality for beginners developing fundamentals before investing in premium options. Start simple, then upgrade once skills progress warranting higher-end responsive performance features.
Q: What kick tee height should be used to simulate NFL-distance field goals?
A: NFL kickers typically use a tee elevated between 6 to 8 inches off the ground when attempting 50-yard plus field goals requiring more lofted trajectory and clearance.
Q: How can I prevent a kicking tee from tipping over during powerful kicks?
A: Seek out kicking tees specifically engineered for stability with widened weighted bases, low planted cleats, and stated weight handling capacities rated for competitive kicker’s driving leg strength. Avoid compromising stability from extremely lightweight transportable tees unable to withstand forces generated.
Q: Is using a kicking tee helpful for punting practice as well as placekicks?
A: Yes, experienced punters regularly utilize kicking tees set 3-4 inches high allowing them to refine spiraling backspin technique critical for optimal punt effectiveness. Tee consistency better isolates form.
Q: What warmup preparation should be done before kicking practice sessions?
A: Always properly stretch hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, glutes, groin muscles and calves before kicking activity to optimize flexibility reducing injury risks from overly tight muscles. Dynamic body movements raising heart rate also helps match game intensity levels.
Take The Next Step Finding Your Ideal Football Kicking Tee
Now understanding core kicking tee selection factors from height adjustability range to base stability demands influencing your progressing performance, the final step involves applying thoughtful criteria reviews tailoring to your needs, budget and kicking goals.
Confidently determine the standout option offering essential features supporting your present abilities with growth room keeping up with improving skills as you put in the diligent practice for continual excellence. Wishing you enduring success showcasing powerful kicks as you split the uprights!
