Matt Prater isn't trying to kick the media out of practices at the Detroit Lions' training camp.
It only seems that way.
The layout of the practice fields at the Lions' Allen Park headquarters puts the media in the landing area when Prater practices kicking field goals using the narrow uprights.
Media members watch practice from the grandstand at the south end of the field, which is the end with the narrow uprights. Regulation uprights – more than twice as wide as the narrow ones – are at the north end.
That puts them well within range of Prater's kicks. In a typical practice, a dozen or more balls will sail into the stands.
Some are caught. Some are dropped. Some are ducked. And others will land on the metal benches with a loud clang.
"I wasn't trying to hit all you guys," Prater said after a recent practice.
"You guys happen to be right behind the uprights. Even if I missed, it would be right at you. Yeah, I see you guys there. I don't want to hit anybody.
"I like practicing on the skinny upright as much as I can. If I get used to looking at that, then you go out and kick on the regular posts, it looks like you can't miss."
Bottom line: Prater has a job to do to prepare for the season, and anyone potentially in the line of fire should be alert – or move to one side of the bleachers.
Watching Prater go through his practice routine is a case study in a professional working at his craft. In his 13 seasons, the last five with the Lions, Prater has established himself as one of the NFL's most accurate field-goal kickers from long distance.
He had an amazing two-year run in 2016-17, connecting on 12 of 13 field-goal attempts from 50 yards or longer. That's a success rate of 92.3 percent and makes his reputation for being an elite kicker from long range well earned.
"I like that," he said. "I feel like I've got the stats or whatever to prove it. I want to go out and attempt the longer kicks. I feel like I can separate myself from some other guys by making those kicks consistently.
"Anytime I go out, I expect to make it. The coaches expect me to make it. That's what I'm supposed to do. My job is to make kicks."
One of Prater's most memorable kicks as a Lion was a 58-yard cannon shot in an overtime road win over the Vikings in 2016. It tied the game on the last play of regulation time, and the Lions won in overtime.
Prater remembers that kick, but not as vividly as some misses.
"I've always been the kind that I remember the misses more," he said. "I don't remember the makes. I can remember every little detail about the misses."
View photos from Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers at Ford Field on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019.
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media before practice during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) takes the field during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions team president Rod Wood talks with former Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) and Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) before Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman (27) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Dee Virgin (30) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Tavon Wilson (32) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back C.J. Anderson (26) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Charles Washington (45) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) kicks off during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off to Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back C.J. Anderson (26) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks an extra point during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) celebrates a touchdown during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) celebrates a touchdown with fans during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands the ball off during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (10) returns a kickoff during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back C.J. Anderson (26) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (10) returns a kickoff during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) at the line of scrimmage during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back C.J. Anderson (26) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans watch the Detroit Lions at Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans watch the Detroit Lions at Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kenny Wiggins (79) and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (65) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (76) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tom Savage (3) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Brandon Powell (10) fields a punt during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (76) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Joe Dahl (66) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans enjoy Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow (77) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ty Johnson (38) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (18) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) at the line of scrimmage during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) fields a punt during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman (27) breaks up a pass during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) celebrates an interception during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Isaac Nauta (89) catches a touchdown during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Isaac Nauta (89) catches a touchdown during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center/guard Graham Glasgow (60) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Ty Johnson (38) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (43) on special teams during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans enjoy Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) celebrates an interception during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (43) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Miles Killebrew (35) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tom Savage (3) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Isaac Nauta (89) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Logan Thomas (82) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kenny Wiggins (79) and Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle P.J. Johnson (92) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) and the defense during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (43) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) during Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) talks to the media following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford talks to the media following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) takes a selfie with fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach (48) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Linebacker Devon Kennard signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions team president Rod Wood signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Mike Daniels (96) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Mike Daniels (96) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) signs a jersey for a fan following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Mike Daniels (96) signs autographs for fans following Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fans take a photo with the NFL 100 cake at Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders take a photo with fans at Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Cheerleaders take a photo with fans at Family Fest presented by Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers on Friday, August 2, 2019 in Detroit. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Head coach Matt Patricia obviously appreciates Prater's talent, but he also likes his knowledge of game situations and conditions.
"The other thing about him that's so wonderful is, he's a great communicator," Patricia said. "If there's a situation in the game that'll come up situations that come up and he's like, 'I feel really strongly about this,' I trust him."
Success comes from working on details, not by accident or taking his skills for granted. The routines he goes through are similar to a golfer grooving his swing. In Prater's case, he wants to correct flaws that he sees on video.
"It's kind of fine-tuning it – doing the small details," he said. "It's not perfect, but it gets you as close as you can.
"As a specialist, you're either perfect or you have a bad day. There's no in between. You want to be as close to perfect as you can."
