Kicking specialists are athletes in American football who focus primarily on kicking plays, such as field goals and kickoffs. They are typically responsible for scoring points through field goals and extra points, as well as executing kickoffs to start plays. Their skills are crucial for a team's overall performance, especially in close games. These specialists often include placekickers and punters. Placekickers aim to score points by kicking the ball through the goalposts, while punters kick the ball downfield to give the opposing team a less favorable starting position. Both positions require precision, strength, and mental focus.