Expectations of the Kicking Game

Clint Feuerbach

Special teams are a vital component to having a successful football season. Though the amount of plays pale in comparison to those snaps of offense and defense, special teams plays can turn a game for one side or the other. Many studies have been conducted in this area - the chances of winning a game increase significantly if there is a blocked kick or a touchdown scored on a special teams play. It is absolutely essential your players and coaches understand that these snaps can be the difference between a win and a loss.



To that end special teams must be repped and taught with the same attention to detail and passion that all other techniques are taught in regards to offensive and defensive position groups. Our staff has four paid varsity coaches - each coach has a significant responsibility in teaching proper techniques to specific players within the scheme. The best players will play on special teams. This is not a time to rest starters or get a third/fourth team guy a rep. Each play must be valued. Each position must be earned.



Because punt and punt return snaps occur more frequently than PAT/FG, kickoff, and kickoff return snaps we spend more time working punt and punt return. That said each special team is practiced multiple times per week.



PUNT: One coach is assigned to the long snappers, one coach to the punters, one coach to the gunners, and one coach has the remaining blockers/coverage personnel.



Snapping and punting are highly technical skills that require proper coaching and repetition. Our gunners have no responsibility other than flying down the field at the opponents return man. The gunners can be split or tight in our punt formation. They are the end men on the line of scrimmage. There target is the return man's opposite number. The snapper is our middle gunner - after executing the snap - he will release directly to the return man, with his eyes in between the returners numbers. Our tackles, guards, and up-backs will block the outside gap for two counts and then release fanning out so they are no closer than five yards from one another as they cover the field. This gives us a wave of six coverage players (we like safeties, tight ends, and linebackers typically in these spots) that should fan the field to cover 30 total yards of width. The two gunners and snapper should meet at the returner and look make the tackle first. The punter and personal protector will be half field safeties, each remaining 20-30 yards behind the coverage wave looking to eliminate the big return. Additionally, our punters are taught to angle kick to the near sideline - typically picking a target 35-50 yards (depending on leg strength) down the field. Ideally the ball will outside the numbers and bounce to the sideline creating a coffin corner effect for the return team.



PUNT RETURN: One coach is assigned to return men. One coach is assigned to the corner positions top teach how to funnel the opponents gunners away from our returner. The other two coaches will coach the remaining eight players - those that align in our defensive line, linebacker, and safety positions. These two coaches will work essentially a long stalk block technique with these players. We will stress to get into the coverage man's chest and take him where he wants to go - just literally stay on the man and ride him past his point of contain/coverage.



We play fairly conservatively on punt return. Typically subbing only defensive lineman out and entering in reserve linebacker and safeties in their place. We effectively play our base defense look or what most teams would call "safe" return. We will put our return man deep and align to the opponents punt formation in a loosened version of our base defense. Each defender (excluding the deep return man) will be assigned one coverage player from the opposing team.



The return man simply reads the blocks and weaves his way through the traffic. This is a simple and effective way to teach return that is sound against a fake and allows a ball carrier the opportunity to use his vision and skills to make a play.



KICKOFF: This is one of the most scary plays in football. The entire team is spread across the field. One coach is assigned to the kicker. One to the contain players. The last two coaches will handle coaching responsibilities for the remaining coverage players.



Similarly to our punt coverage team we will try to drop the ball in the coffin corner (inside the 5 and outside the numbers). We will align our coverage team with four players outside the hash to the side we will attempt to kick to. The remaining six players will align on the other side of the kicker and not outside the far hash. We will void by alignment the outside third. Our kicker and one other player will be assigned as safeties remaining deep to eliminate the big play. All other players are taught to squeeze the ball while remaining in assigned lanes as they hunt the return man. On each side of the alignment we will additionally have one player on each side - usually #1 and #10 that are designated as contain players - meaning the ball can not get outside of them.



KICKOFF RETURN: We employ a 5-2-2-2 alignment. We run "power" to one sideline or the other. Each player is assigned a coverage man and direction to block the man. Two players will double team the opponents gunner to the return side. Their job is drive that gunner into the stands. Everyone else will seal their men inside. The fullback will lead through the hole and clean up any leaks. One coach is assigned to our front five. One coach to our tight ends. One to our up backs. One to our returners. Early in the season we will spend a significant amount of time teaching our return and as the season progresses we will spend less time repping kickoff return.



PAT/FG: Our offensive line coach spearheads this unit working with the blocking techniques that need to be implemented. The snappers coach works with the snappers and holders. The kicking coach works with the kickers. One coach works with the TE's and wings blocking and potential releases.



PAT/FG Block: The defensive coordinator handles this unit. Each member of the secondary is assigned an eligible receiver to read and cover man to man. All other players will execute a block technique through their assigned gap. We do not run a special block or sub players out on this unit.



In summary, special teams are a critical component to a successful season. The best available players should be on the field on special teams. These snaps, though few in numbers, have a significant impact on a game and potentially an entire season. Coaches must be diligent and passionate in teaching the techniques required to be successful and the significance of special teams plays.