Revision 302835 of "Marijampole" on enwikiA means of propelling a flat bottomed [[boat]] or [[punt]] along a river using a pole (which is usually made of wood).
<center>[[Image:punts_on_cherwell_oxford.JPG]]</center>
A popular [[tourist]] and [[leisure]] activity in the university towns of [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]], [[England]].
==== Punting technique ====
The user stands on a wooden platform at the back and tries not to fall into the water while holding the (rather heavy) wooden pole. A naive attempt at propulsion by pushing with the pole against the mud at the bottom of the river is likely to result in the punt's moving in a circle, or heading constantly into one of the banks. Usually, numerous spectators will be present on bridges and banks and will find it greatly amusing, but consuming a sufficient amount of alcohol beforehand will increase the punter's confidence and sense of accomplishment, regardless of the actual merit of the performance.
One better technique is actually to use the pole as a rudder, letting it drag in the water behind the punt and moving it left or right to steer. Steering and propulsion are alternated.
The rudder method of steering can be slow (as while you are using the pole as a rudder you're not using it to propel the punt forward). A faster method, requiring more skill, strength, and judgment, is to drop pole slightly away from the punt (turning right for right handers) or slightly under the punt (turning left for right handers) and push backwards as normal. The generated [[torque]] will rotate the punt, probably too much if you are not experienced.
Alternatively a [[student]] can be employed to do the punting.
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To students at many colleges and [[university|universities]] in the [[English anguage|English]] speaking parts of the world, it is the conscious act of ignoring responsibilities to complete class assignments, as in, "I punted my problem set last night," or "I'm punting the study group for the exam." It also means to do something without proper preparation or planning by making it up on the spot, as in "We'll just punt."
Similar usage is common in U.S. business, industry, and engineering circles as in declining to tackle (also from [[American Football]]) a problem or giving others (perhaps better qualified, more ambitious or merely needing the work) the opportunity to shine or fail.
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Punt is also an [[American football]] term meaning to kick the football downfield using a proper stylistic kick. This is commonly used on a fourth down (that is, after three plays that fail to produce a 10-yard gain necessary for a "first down" and another 4 downs with the ball on offense) in order to increase the distance that the opposing team has to cover in order to score via a touchdown or field goal.
An on-side kick (to achieve better field position by eliminating the run back or catch of the ball) also must utilize the punt style skill, although it is rare.
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