Kickers use smelling salts mainly to feel more awake, locked‑in, and amped up right before a high‑pressure kick, not because it makes their leg stronger in any direct, proven way.

What smelling salts actually do

Smelling salts are usually ammonia inhalants that release a sharp, irritating gas when cracked or opened.

That gas briefly irritates the nasal passages and lungs, which can:

  • Trigger a quick inhale and faster breathing.
  • Spike alertness by activating the body’s fight‑or‑flight response.
  • Make someone feel “jolted” awake if they were drowsy or flat.

They were originally used in medicine to help revive someone who fainted, not for sports performance.

Why kickers like using them

For kickers, the appeal is mostly mental and sensory rather than a true physical boost in power.

Common reasons they use smelling salts:

  • Sharpen focus : A big field goal often comes after a long stretch of standing on the sideline, so the jolt helps them feel switched on instantly.
  • Reset after a miss: Some kickers have used them before a game‑winning attempt right after missing a previous kick, describing it as a way to “wake up” and mentally reset.
  • Game‑day ritual: Many players talk about them as part superstition, part routine—just another pre‑kick habit that makes them feel ready.
  • Feel “mean” or aggressive: Some players say the sensation makes them feel juiced, like they want to hit or attack the moment.

So when you see a kicker crack a capsule and take a deep sniff, the goal is usually to flip from calm to hyper‑alert in a second or two.

Do they really improve performance?

There is no strong scientific evidence that smelling salts actually improve kicking accuracy, distance, or overall athletic performance.

Studies and medical experts note:

  • They may increase perceived energy and alertness, but not measurable power or speed.
  • Any “boost” is likely placebo plus the feeling of being more awake and intense.

In other words, they might help a kicker feel ready , but that does not mean the ball will go straighter or farther because of the salts themselves.

Risks and controversy (especially in the NFL)

In recent years, leagues have started to push back on how casually players use smelling salts.

Key concerns:

  • Masking concussion signs: If a player is dazed, using smelling salts can jolt them into feeling more alert and may hide important concussion symptoms for a short time.
  • Possible side effects: Overuse or misuse has been linked to headaches, shortness of breath, and other unpleasant reactions.
  • Rule changes: The NFL has moved to stop teams from providing smelling salts, although players can still bring their own, reflecting growing concern rather than a full ban on personal use.

Some players shrug it off as a “meathead” habit that is more about image and tradition than genuine performance science.

How fans and forums talk about it

Online discussions and forum threads tend to frame smelling salts as:

  • A funny, intense part of football culture—clips of kickers or linemen reacting dramatically to a sniff get shared a lot.
  • A mix of superstition and hype; fans joke about players needing their “smelling salts buff” before clutch moments.
  • Increasingly debated, with more people pointing out the health and concussion‑risk angles as the NFL’s stance has tightened.

So when someone asks “why do kickers use smelling salts,” the short version is: to feel instantly more alert, aggressive, and ritual‑ready before a big kick—while medical experts remain skeptical that it truly improves performance and warn about masking possible injuries.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.