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The Long Red Line

Educate, train and inspire the special forces so that each is a leader of character, commited to the values of duty, honor and discipline; a limetime of selfless service to the forces.
Offensive Line Coach, Monmouth (IL)
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As football coaches, we have all heard the theory that the difference between winning and losing close games often comes down to special teams play. At Monmouth College, we believe sound execution, communication and efficiency in the kicking game are the cornerstones for success. Special teams demand a great deal of preparation, organization and attention to detail.

Philosophy

Our mission is to educate, train and inspire the Special Forces so that each is a leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor and discipline; a lifetime of selfless service to the forces.

We believe we must use the best players available, utilize meeting and practice time efficiently, teach and drill fundamentals, sell and motivate players on the importance of special teams, and identify players with special talents.

Roll of the Head Coach

It is imperative that the head coach not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. It is essential that the head coach be involved with the special teams. He sets the standard and demonstrates the importance of the special teams. He can do this by allotting practice time, selection of personnel, and motivating the team on the importance of special teams.

Practice Time

The number one key to special teams success is practice time. Steve Bell, head football coach at Monmouth College, knows the importance of special teams and allots about forty minutes per day to practice time during the season. During preseason camp we spend one hour every other day on teaching special teams skills, techniques and schemes. We break special teams down to whole, part, whole. We demonstrate the whole scheme, then break down into individual positions to teach specific skills and techniques. Finally, we put the whole thing together and run the team schemes.

In order to increase our efficiency during practice, we use a scout team entitled the “Red Hats”, for the red pinnie caps they wear. Both the starting special forces and the red hats are posted each day on the board in the locker room. The athletes know which teams they are on and it reduces the amount of time spent on setting up the teams.

In order to increase our efficiency and coordination on game day, we have created a “Box” where our special forces meet prior to going out on the field. We meet to ensure we have the correct personnel and to instruct the athletes on what scheme to execute.

The kickers have specific kicks to execute during the week. They have their own practice plan which they follow. They also chart all of their kicks throughout the week. It is important to have the kickers work as hard as the offensive and defensive personnel. The team will know the importance of special teams when they see the commitment to practice time.

Motivation

Another way to make special teams “special” is by inviting the upperclassmen to special teams practice during camp. Invite only those candidates with the ability to help strengthen and make a difference on the various special teams. Create special invitations and hand deliver them to the athletes. First year players have an open invitation and are welcome to compete for spots on all of the special teams. The invitations make the athletes feel wanted and “special.” This in turn adds to their internal motivation.

We have also decided to give each of the special teams a name and a slogan. We feel this adds to the enthusiasm and intensity of our “special forces”. Our punt team is called the “Bomb Squad;” initial success or total failure. Punt return/punt block is called the “Sharks”-Attack. Kickoff return is called “Showtime”-Crank it up. Kickoff is called the “Headhunters”-Seek and Destroy. Extra point and field goal is called “Money”-Count on Me. The hands team is called “All-State”-Victory. Extra point and field goal block is called the “Regulators”-Mount Up.

Other things we do to increase the motivation of special teams players are create yearly and weekly goal sheets, as well as issue a weekly award called “The Brick.” “The Brick” is given out at our weekly special teams meeting. The winner keeps the brick in his locker for the week, as well as he writes his name on the brick. The person who receives the brick most throughout the year wins the brick at our annual awards banquet.

Conclusion

The comraderie among the special forces is imperative to the success of the team. We want the special forces to feel important and more an integral part of the team. We use the special forces as a motivational tool and as a way to build team unity.

In all, it is important to both internally and externally motivate your athletes to play special teams. Special teams are the difference makers. By incorporating the aforementioned techniques, we have been very successful at Monmouth College, ranking at or near the top in the Midwest Conference in the kicking game.

Scots Special Forces

MC Kicking Game Philosophy
• Best Players Available
• Meeting and Practice Time
• Teach Fundamentals - Drill Them
• Selling the Players
• Identifying Players with Special Talents

MC Kicking Game Organization

• Coaching Assignments
• Weekly Practice Schedule
• Daily Practice Schedule
• Production

MC Kicking Game Goals

Punt Protection Objectives
1. Get all kicks off
2. Net 35 yards
3. Force fair catch and minimum return

Punt Block/Return Objectives
1. Pressure all kicks
2. Field all balls
3. Average 10 yards per return

Kickoff Objectives
1. Touchback or inside 20
2. Attach and blow up schemes

Kickoff Return Objectives
1. Field all balls
2. Timing
3. Average 20 yards per return

Extra Point and Field Goal Objectives
1. Six WILL BE Seven

Extra Point and Field Goal Defense
1. Pressure all kicks
2. Make good decisions

Hands Team Objectives
1. Secure all kicks
2. Secure the Victory

Methods to Achieve these Goals
1. Penalty Free
2. No Substitution errors
3. Assignment Sound
4. Eliminate opponents big play
5. Create our own BIG PLAYS

Special Teams Practice will be 45 min.
Pre-Practice: Stretch and get in the right frame of mind. Mental Preparation
Stretch: 5 minutes
Whole Scheme: 5 minutes
Drills 20 minutes
Scheme of the day: 15 minutes


About the author
Dave Ragone


Dave Ragone enters his fourth season as the offensive line coach at Monmouth and he also worked with Head Coach Steve Bell for one year at Bemidji State.

He played at Ursinus College, graduating in 1992, and coached most recently at Delaware Valley College.

Ragone also coaches the men’s golf team and led Monmouth to its first conference golf championship in 20 years in 2002.






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