Smelling salts are used by kickers to briefly sharpen arousal and focus before a kick, especially in high-pressure moments. They provide a quick sensory jolt that can wake up the nerves and heighten alertness, which some kickers feel helps them lock in their mental state for the kick. Details and context
- What they are: Smelling salts typically contain ammonia or ammonium carbonate that releases a sharp odor when crushed or activated, producing a sudden nasal and respiratory刺激 that can trigger a rapid arousal response. This is believed to momentarily increase alertness and focus.
- How they’re used: Players often sniff or hold the smelling salts briefly just before attempting a long or pressure-filled kick, as a ritual to reset attention and reduce pre-kick anxiety.
- Why kickers use them: The main idea is to boost readiness and “wake up” the senses quickly right before contact with the ball, especially after a miss or during a tense moment. The effects are short-lived, typically lasting only a few seconds to a minute, which is why kickers use them sparingly and strategically.
- Safety and policy notes: In recent contexts, leagues have discussed or implemented restrictions on distributing smelling salts to players during games. Individual players may still use them if they bring their own supply, but teams may not provide them on the sideline.
If you’d like, I can summarize recent discussions or provide a quick comparison of smelling salts versus other pre-kick routines, or look up specific examples from recent NFL games.
