James alder is an expert on the game of american football, blogs for the new york times, and appears on radio shows. Everytime the ball is kicked each team is in a position to gain or lose upto 80 yards of field position. The special teams counterpart of a return specialist is a kicking specialist. Maintaining lane responsibility on kickoff coverage is critical. There are few players who are exclusively return specialists. Double right is a great return which uses two double teams at the point of attack, and two kick out blocks which create an amazing seam. In 2017, tackled a denver player in the end zone on a punt return in the fourth quarter, causing a safety. Led the dolphins in special teams tackles in 2018, logging 9. If the kickoff team then spreads out, the kickoff return team will simply align as they normally would against a regular kickoff. A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in gridiron football. Every kickoff return touchdown of the 2017 season fbs. Punt returning in american football isnt always as exciting as returning a kickoff because the distance between the team punting and the punt returner isnt as great. Kickoff coverage drill the special teams kickoff coverage drills is to teach and practice discipline in staying in position on punt and kickoffcoverage.
It is important that they get a running start down the field. You must recover the onside kick, or the momentum of the game may change. The great thing about kickoff return is that everyone pretty much has the same kickoff strategy. For many youth football coaches special teams are one of the more challenging phases of the game to coach. Pay attention to issues like weather, injuries, etc. Based on the return split up the front line so you break up the field. In this episode of the football coaching podcast, were going to break down your kickoff return schemes. As you most likely recall, last month the nfl changed the kickoff return rules, and now the broncos and 31 other teams are trying to figure them out.
Served as the seahawks special teams captain from 2012 onward and won super bowl xlviii with the team. Regardless of what schemeformation you use keep these special teams tips in mind. The special teams concepts discussed in this video provided some great ideas to how to use different elements in the kicking game. Saw action in all games for the irish during the 2010 season totaled 14 tackles on the season, including eight solo stops led all notre dame players in all three special teams tackles categories, including 11 overall stops on special teams, nine on kickoff return and two on punt return recorded one solo tackle. Special team rules special teams encompasses of the. Download coaching high school special teams pdf ebook. Personnel front line right tackle right guard center left guard left tackle wedge re rfb lfb right end left end right fullback left fullback returners rhb right lhb left halfback.
Penaltiesturnovers there are many different factors that play into the success or lack of success of any unit, be it offense, defense, or any of the special teams units. In other words, special teams is just as important as offense and defense, and should be treated that way in your game preparation. Run all three returns northern, eastern, and western vs. How to return a punt punt returning in american football isnt always as exciting as returning a kickoff because the distance. It should be noted that when facing teams that do this type of kickoff scheme, it is better suited for a zone blocking scheme rather than man. C contain dont allow return away from onside f free go to ball, and watch for bounce. Double right is a great return which uses two double teams at the point of attack, and. Below is a 4step drill progression which will help introduce your players to the fundamentals of kicking and punting, and give you a better chance to win the special teams battle.
Special teams coach joe lorig talked about a multitude of subjects in a conference call on tuesday, going into detail about what he expects to get out of his squad when the season begins. Special teams philosophy the manvel special teams are an integral part of our success. The following definitions cover the positions on special teams. Will micah parsons return kicks for penn state football. He covers schemes, drills, and numerous coaching points to provide simple solutions to the complex challenges associated with punt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff return teams. How can you install an effective kickoff return counter to this.
After 3 hours of chatting with him, he asked me to be his special teams coordinator, and i said yes. Most coaches have heard that special teams make up 1020% of all plays. As a coach, if you expect to win special teams, its important that you give your players the skills necessary to dominate the play. This is so you can pin point who is doing the right job on the score team. Cougar special teams kickoff return consistent physical.
The bears, rams, seahawks and utah utes have run a special teams play that leads to touchdowns while baffling opponents, fans and even cameramen. Teaching your kickoff coverage players when to avoid a one on one block and when to take it on with a two gap technique is always. Week 7 provided a vivid reminder of the power of special teams. Kickoff return huddle huddle on the sideline with coach, listen jarrett anderson, wide receivers diagram 4 diagram 5. Coaching high school special teams is a book that particulars each a part of specific groups, punt, punt return, kickoff, kickoff return, further degreetopic purpose and extra degreespace goal protection. Andre roberts, wr, bills the kickoff return yardage leader a year ago with the jets, roberts should easily win the job in buffalo and continue to be a dynamic player with the ball in his hands.
The receiving team is then entitled to return the ball, i. Od special teams coaches manual 2015 stacking system the stacking system is a teaching method where core offensive and defensive concepts are used to keep special teams simple not new learning stacking of the best. In 201 7, the seattle special teams unit accumulated 1 kickoff return yards and one return touchdown, which was pro player played linebacker for the minnesota vikings from 200510 before ioining the seattle seahawks from 201 1201 a. Put the special in special teams by being unconventional. In our post below we share some of the strategies and tips that we have acquired and used. Most of us dont actually spend that much time on it, though. Make sure your kids are ten yards behind the football.
Of course if you can get a 30 or 40 yard return on a kickoff theres not too much to complain about. At tcu, we believe that there are three main areas in which we as coaches can make a difference. In this video, coach wristen explores the multiple phases of the thunderwolves special teams game. Kickoff return team alignment count the kickoff team from left to right o exclude k t, g, c 10 yards from ball. Huddle 50 our sideline le lfb rfb re lhb riib the center calls the huddle. Articles ive written, podcasts ive done about special teams, you tube videos and resources for sale. When you want to see if a player can put all of the components of good kickoff return together to make the block and protect the ballcarrier, the kick off return evaluation drill is a great special teams tool to use to simulate your blocking schemes. Od special teams coaches manual 2015 stacking system. Personnel front line right tackle right guard center left guard left tackle wedge re rfb lfb right end left end. The panthers had a revolving door at both the kick and punt return positions last year and hopefully things will change this season. New special teams coordinator chase blackburn has been an. Fbcp episode 208 how to coach kickoff return schemes. Sbu special teams own a third of the game sbu special teams 4 pillars system style take what they give do what your players do well sbu special teams system plan important coaches time, best 11 players attitude, goals, rewards structured organized playbook practice plans no. The members of the special teams who specialize in racing downfield to tackle the.
Kickoff lane tackle drill the special teams kickoff lane tackle drill teaches and practices discipline in staying in position on kickoff coverage and making an open field tackle. A return specialist or kick returner is a player on the special teams unit of a gridiron football team who specializes in returning punts and kickoffs. In this section, youll find articles, videos and coaching tips for better special teams execution, including punt coverage, punt return, kickoff coverage, kickoff return, and onside kicks. Every nfl kick return touchdown since 2009 duration.
The most unstoppable play in football is this trick punt. A common response is to spend more time on their punt p. This is a great drill to practice staying onside during a kickoff. Broncos special teams adjusting to new kickoff rules. Led the bears in special teams tackles as a rookie in 2014, logging 8. There is no more important factor in an offense scoring or a defense stopping an opponent than the starting field position of the drive. Put the special in special teams by being unconventional on august 23, 2018. Understanding the different positions is key to understanding the game of football. They must make sure there is no fake punt, and thus stay in coverage as such until the ball is punted. Furthermore, it generally sets the tempo for the entire half kickoff at the onset and after the half. Free nfl football player stats and stats leaders in simple, easy to read tables.
The special teams have a huge impact on field position and the momentum of the game. Anyhow, thats a little about my journey in the special teams world. Louis rams upset the seattle seahawks thanks to not one, but two spectacular special teams plays. Therefore, all 11 participants must hustle every play in order to be successful. How to coach kickoff return schemes joe daniel football. Once the ball is punted, they will run to set up the beginning of. Each week there maybe a double team based on who the best player is on special teams. Returning a punt for positive yards, meaning catching the kicked ball and running down the field with it, can be a challenge. Coming off a pro bowl season as a returner, his contributions on special teams are clearly the primary reason for his signing in buffalo.