In the NFL, there are only two positions which are allowed to kick the ball during a game, these are the kicker and punter.
On the face of it, fans may expect these two roles to be carried out by the same player.
DAZN explains the roles of both a kicker and a punter, and whether the same player plays both positions.
Are kickers and punters the same player in the NFL?
In today's NFL, the kickers and punters are two different players. This is because each position has a different responsibility within a team.
What are the responsibilites of a kicker?
The main responsibility for a kicker is to kick the ball at kickoff and attempt to score field goals.
When it comes to a kickoff, the kicker's aim is to get the ball as far down the field as possible and give the receiving team very little of chance of getting a good field position for the offense.
For a field goal, the kicker is tasked with kicking the ball between the opposition team's uprights and if successful, scores three points for their team.
Usually, the same player will be tasked with executing kickoffs and field goals, but some teams do have two players who specialise in either kickoffs or field goals.
What are the responsibilities of a punter?
The role of a punter is much more simple, kick punts.
A punt will take place on a fourth down when the offense has failed to advance 10 yards down the field in three attempts.
While a punter needs to kick the ball as far and high as possible, they also at times need to be accurate as they look to put the receiving team in a bad field position when their offense runs onto the field.