A New Year. A New Football Standard. Welcome to 2026 with M.A.N. Kicking.

The calendar flips. The fireworks fade. The confetti gets swept up. And just like that, a new year begins.

For most people, January is about resolutions. Eating better. Sleeping more. Spending less time on their phone.

But for kickers, parents, and coaches who live and breathe this craft, a new year represents something much deeper.

It represents opportunity.

At M.A.N. Kicking, we believe every new year is a blank field. Fresh lines. Upright goalposts. A football placed perfectly on the ground, waiting to be struck.

2026 is not just another year. It is a chance to reset expectations. Raise standards. Recommit to the process that separates average from elite.

Whether you are a young kicker dreaming of varsity snaps, a high school athlete chasing college offers, a parent investing in your child’s development, or a coach shaping the next generation, this year matters.

Let’s talk about why.

Progress Does Not Come from Hope. It Comes from Habits.

Every January, athletes everywhere say the same thing.

“This is my year.”

At M.A.N. Kicking, we love that energy. But we also know something important.

Hope does not build leg strength. Motivation alone does not fix technique. Wishing does not earn scholarships.

Habits do.

The best kickers in the country are not defined by one big moment. They are built through thousands of small ones. The warmups no one sees. The drills done correctly when no one is watching. The choice to stretch instead of scroll. To journal instead of complain. To train with purpose instead of just showing up.

2026 is your opportunity to ask an honest question.

What habits am I willing to commit to this year?

Not perfection. Commitment.

One more rep with intention. One more day of recovery. One more honest conversation with a coach.

Those add up faster than you think.

Parents. Your Role Matters More Than You Realize.

Parents, let’s talk directly to you for a moment.

Being a kicker parent is unique. It is not always loud. It is not always obvious. There are no box score headlines for long snappers or kickers until something goes wrong.

But your role behind the scenes matters immensely.

Your support sets the tone. Your patience builds confidence. Your belief becomes fuel.

At M.A.N. Kicking, we see it every day. The athletes who thrive are often surrounded by parents who understand the long game. Parents who value development over rankings. Parents who prioritize consistency over comparison.

As 2026 begins, ask yourself this.

Am I helping my athlete grow, or am I adding pressure without realizing it?

Encourage effort. Celebrate progress. Trust the process. And remember that growth in this position is rarely linear. There will be great days and frustrating ones. Both are necessary.

Your calm presence can be the difference between an athlete who enjoys the journey and one who burns out before reaching their potential.

Coaches. You Are Builders of Confidence and Character.

To the coaches reading this, thank you.

You shape more than mechanics. You shape mindsets.

At M.A.N. Kicking, we believe great coaching goes beyond correcting foot placement or swing path. It involves teaching resilience. Accountability. Focus under pressure.

In 2026, we challenge coaches to continue raising the bar while keeping perspective.

Teach athletes how to respond after a miss. Teach them how to prepare when their number might be called once a game. Teach them that their value is not defined by a single kick.

The kickers who succeed long term are the ones who understand process over outcome. Who learn how to reset quickly. Who believe in themselves even when conditions are imperfect.

Your words matter. Your consistency matters. And the standard you set today will shape how these athletes handle pressure for years to come.

For Kickers. This Is Your Moment.

Now to the kickers reading this.

This is your year if you choose to make it so.

Not because the calendar says January. But because you decide to take ownership.

Ask yourself the hard questions.

Am I training with purpose or just going through the motions? Am I coachable when feedback is uncomfortable? Am I consistent when motivation fades?

The position you play is one of mental toughness. Precision. Discipline. Confidence.

You may not get many chances, but when your moment comes, it has to count.

That does not happen by accident.

It happens through preparation. Through reps. Through trusting your training. Through believing in yourself even when others doubt.

2026 is not about being perfect. It is about being intentional.

Show up ready. Take notes. Ask questions. Hold yourself accountable.

Every session is a chance to improve. Even the frustrating ones.

Development Over Exposure. Always.

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is chasing exposure before development.

Offers do not come from hype. They come from performance. Performance comes from preparation.

At M.A.N. Kicking, we emphasize mastering the fundamentals first. Strength. Technique. Consistency. Mental approach.

Exposure only matters when you are ready to capitalize on it.

As 2026 unfolds, focus on becoming undeniable. Focus on building a foundation that holds up under pressure. Focus on being reliable when it matters most.

The rest will follow.

Trust the Process. Trust Yourself.

Growth is rarely loud. It is often quiet and uncomfortable.

It shows up in subtle improvements. Slightly better ball flight. More confidence in your steps. Cleaner contact under pressure.

Celebrate those wins.

They are signs that the work is paying off.

At M.A.N. Kicking, we are proud to walk this journey alongside athletes and families who believe in doing things the right way. Personalized coaching. Honest feedback. Long term development.

As we step into 2026, remember this.

You do not need to compare yourself to anyone else. You only need to be better than you were yesterday.

Let’s Make 2026 a Year of Purpose.

New years are not about reinvention. They are about refinement.

Refining habits. Refining mindset. Refining commitment.

Whether your goal is to earn a starting spot, gain confidence, land a scholarship, or simply fall back in love with the process, this year is full of possibility.

At M.A.N. Kicking, we are excited for what lies ahead. For the athletes willing to work.

For the parents willing to support. For the coaches willing to lead.

Let’s make 2026 a year of growth. Of grit. Of quiet confidence built through preparation.

The ball is on the ground. The uprights are waiting. Now it is time to take the kick.

Happy New Year from all of us at M.A.N. Kicking.