Parent Testimonials
Coach Dan Orner is an extremely talented coach and excellent mentor for young athletes as they develop their skills and character and make important life choices. We began working with Coach Orner in August of 2006. At that time my son was about to begin his 7th grade season after having served as placekicker for his school's 6th grade football team. "Coach Dan" and my son immediately established a strong rapport which is a very important element in an effective long-term athlete/coach relationship on account of the high level of trust that is required. Dan has an extremely professional manner, and his training sessions are challenging, targeted and, when circumstances call for it, fun.
Working with Coach Orner, whether in private sessions or in mini-clinics, is very different from the "typical" kicking camp, which in our experience usually amounts to a "longest kick" competition. Consistency and control are the keys to success for kickers and punters. A coach isn't going to ask a kicker to attempt a 50-yarder if he can't consistently hit from 35 or 40.
Here are some specific aspects of Coach Orner's coaching program that I have observed during the time we have worked with him:
1. Dan focuses the athlete on the development proper ball striking technique--the most important key to consistency in kicking and punting. Dan emphasizes a variety of high quality repetitions designed to achieve muscle memory for the perfect ball strike, every time, done properly without crushing the ball and killing the leg.
2. Dan teaches the athlete to "self-correct" to empower the athlete to make necessary adjustments on his own anytime, anywhere, under any conditions. Dan makes frequent use of digital burst mode photography to give the athlete instant feedback on the field during training sessions.
3. Dan coaches the athlete to master the psychological and visual aspects of competition, including the ability to recognize and handle times when the most formidable competition is the athlete with himself.
4. Dan develops a kicker's placekicking and punting skills so that the athlete is able to switch seamlessly between the two jobs if and when necessary. Colleges have a tougher time finding excellent quality punters than placekickers, and getting "two-for-one" in the same athlete can give an athlete the edge over his competitors.
5. Dan develops the kicker's ability to move completely away from using a 2" block in favor of a 1" block and, ultimately, kicking "off the ground." The sooner a kicker can kick at a high level off the ground, the more he will stand out among his competitors because long term kicking off of a 2" block can lead to injury from improper body mechanics and can result in a "mental block" when the athlete is required to abandon the 2" block in competition.
6. Dan emphasizes and re-emphasizes the importance of the athlete's education overall and striving for excellent grades in particular.
7. Dan provides specific guidance, upon request, to a placekicker's holder and long-snapper to improve their technique and to teach the placekicker basic methods for continuing to train the holders and snappers he encounters in the future.
8. Dan gives frequent, useful and frank parent feedback.
Coach Orner has extensive knowledge of the training techniques that are necessary to improve individual results, and his holistic approach enables and inspires each athlete to develop the skills necessary to perform at his top ability. Dan has a great sense of how to be tough and remain positive, and he knows how to push athletes to their limits without over-exerting their physical capabilities for their particular stage of growth and development.
In my observation, Coach Dan Orner is effective because he has a gift for coaching and a true love of the sport, and I without reservation recommend him to anyone with raw talent and a strong work ethic who is willing to put in the work to improve.
Julie Griggs
Charlotte, North Carolina
Dan Orner is a coach that exemplifies character, great work ethic and teaching/mentoring skills. He is focused on helping each player grow and develop their kicking and punting techniques. Dan has worked with our son, Chris, for the past three years. Training with Dan has helped Chris develop:
- His kicking skills
- The ability to analyze and evaluate each kick
- A good mindset and work ethic
- Character
Dan has an abundant knowledge of kicking/punting and can evaluate and teach in a very proactive and positive way. He can also help develop minor details associated with being an excellent kicker/punter. He wants all of his students to succeed and pushes them physically and mentally to their limits.
During the college recruiting process, Dan was invaluable. He taught Chris how to effectively break down videotape of his kicking in order to identify areas where he could improve. Then Dan gave Chris helpful advice on how to approach the next session both mentally and physically to make him stand out among other recruits.
Dan’s advice to Chris during high school was instrumental in making Chris a team player and kicking weapon to his team. He taught Chris how to warm up, where to position himself on the sidelines and how to focus on his contribution to the team, as well as anticipate when he might be called to duty.
Dan gives honest feedback and evaluation and we would highly recommend him to any kicker wanting to boost his ability to the next level.
Rick and Teri Hinkebein
Charlotte, NC
Dan Orner is by far the best kicking coach with whom our son, Patrick, has worked. Dan’s exceptional knowledge of the kicking game and his passion for sharing this knowledge is exceptional. Patrick’s progress since he began working with Dan has been quite noticeable. Not only has Patrick improved the technical aspects of his kicking game, but Dan has greatly enhanced Patrick’s mental approach to kicking. Dan is always willing to review tape, offer encouragement and just talk kicking whenever it is needed. We highly recommend Dan Orner to anyone who not only wants an outstanding kicking coach, but also is looking for a positive role model for their child.
Ken and Laurie Long
Wilmington, NC