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Circuit Drills Emphasize Repetition, Range of Motion and Reaction to Improve Your Special Teams Play.

by: Nick Whitworth
Special Teams Coordinator Central Washington University
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Our staff at Central Washington University understands the importance and value of the kicking game in each contest. We treat each special team’s preparation with the same enthusiasm, intensity, and creativity as our offense and defense. To do it right, we must train our special teams players in the same way. Preparing players for their special team roles, however, presents some unique challenges. Consider the following:


1. Getting Enough Repetitions

Almost all of our players must learn techniques that are different to their everyday routine. In order to be productive, our players will have to perfect different techniques for the 4-6 phases (punt, punt return, kickoff, kickoff return, field goal, and field goal block) of special teams they will play on. As we all know, it takes many repetitions until a player feels comfortable enough to execute his responsibilities with confidence. Without them, a player’s aggressiveness can be compromised.

2. Space

Special teams plays cover more field distance than any other play in football. Consider the average punt or punt return covers anywhere from 35-45 yards of the field. The average kickoff or kickoff return covers anywhere from 60-70 yards of the field. However, if we were to attempt to practice the exact yardage that we cover in games for each kick, we would be exhausting our players and would see very little repetitions.

3. Time

When it comes to practice time, there are always limitations. Every team is different in their philosophy of how to approach practice time allocation. Some head coaches give more time to special teams, others less. Our head coach is as committed to the kicking game as any, but at the end of the day we have two hours to balance everything we need to get done as a team without losing our players’ focus. So even with the most committed head coach, we are still trying to get as much work as possible in a limited amount of time.

WHAT WINS

Any time there are time constraints, the amount of scheme that can be taught is limited. Teams rarely win the special teams game by out-scheming their opponents. It almost always comes down to who consistently executes better. The team that wins the most one-on-one battles usually wins the special teams game. Therefore, we believe in keeping our schematics simple and focus on having the right player, in the right position,  executing the right way, with the right effort.  We feel this approach will always give us an opportunity to be successful.

REPETITION, RANGE OF MOTION, AND REACTION

Our staff is always looking for better ways to develop our players. Considering the obstacles that special teams preparation presents, we use a series of drills that focus on repetitions, range of motion, and reaction. Our drills  are designed to simulate the one-on-one match-ups in the coverage and return game without wearing our players out from a lot of running. Keeping the distance of the drills short also allows us to get more repetitions in less time, which we feel is critical. The more times a player’s body is put through the range of motion of a given technique, the more comfortable he will feel doing it. Thus, the more confident he will execute on game day.

The drills we use include elements of reaction. We don’t want our players to just run through a set of cones or a stationary body to develop their technique. We want to put them “On Edge.” In each drill, we train our players to see and feel certain movements and react with appropriate technique. Reactions, like everything we do, can be sharpened with a great number of repetitions. This process also increases the aggressiveness of our players on game day.

We look at a single player’s responsibility on a given special team from start to finish. Take the kickoff for example. We examine the path of a coverage player from the kick to the tackle, then identify what we feel is the most critical phase. In this scenario, we believe that if our kickoff coverage player can beat the block of the kickoff return front line player, we will have good kickoff coverage. In our “avoid” drill, we stripped out all of the other phases of kickoff coverage and have focused just on the 15-20 yards where our coverage player will battle the opponent’s front line blocker. The next thing we look at is, “What are the possible scenarios that our kickoff coverage player can encounter in this phase?” We identify three types of blocks that he must be able to defeat. Once we have incorporated these looks into the drill, we coach the coverage player on what technique to use in each scenario. With enough repetitions, our coverage players become very sudden in their reactions to each situation. We want players to be “full speed confident” on game day.

CIRCUIT ORGANIZATION

With all these factors in mind, we have subscribed to the “circuit training” method to achieve our special teams goals. We feel that circuits give us the best opportunity to get the work we need within our given time limitations. We have three different circuits that we use. Our five-minute “mini-circuit” is the one we use the most. We schedule a five-minute period directly after position warm ups. We call this our “specialty period.” We approach this period as special teams individual. We are working core fundamentals of each special teams phase. All positions are involved in this period with the exception of the quarterbacks.

During this five minutes, the offensive line, tight ends, defensive line and specialists will work on field goal protection vs. field goal block (Diagram 1). We get anywhere from 8-10 kicks in before the period is over. As a change up, we also use this station to get our kickoff return back line players (TEs, DEs, DTs) to catch sky kicks from the jugs machine (Diagram 2). These are repetitions they will need come game day.


Diagram 1.


Diagram 2.

The skill groups are broken into four stations. We organize these groups so the numbers of players are close to equal at the four stations. In each two-minute station, we work on two skills before rotating to the next station. I know what you’re thinking, “How can we possibly get enough reps at something in two minutes to do any good?” Consider that there are 120 seconds in 2 minutes. All of the drills we do, at most, take 4 seconds to complete. That’s 30 reps divided by 8 players. That’s 3-4 repetitions per player in 2 minutes. Some of our drills have two and three players going at once. In these drills the repetitions double. As the practices add up, the reps begin to add up until our players have done a specific task a great number of times.

Like any position individual period, you can tailor it to fit whatever you need. We have many drills that we may use from time to time depending on what our staff feels our players need. We focus on four specific drills that we incorporate into our “mini-circuit” everyday. We call them our “core” drills. Our core drills are advanced special teams drills that focus on the critical points of the kickoff return, punt return, and coverage aspects of the special teams game.

AVOID DRILL

OPERATION:

The “Avoid” drill (Diagram 3) is a kickoff coverage emphasis drill. The purpose of this drill is to train our kickoff coverage players how to correctly defeat the three types of blocks the kickoff return front line can show us. There are two participants, a kickoff coverage player (X) and a front line kickoff return player (O).

COVERAGE PLAYER:

    The objective of the kickoff coverage player (X) is to attack the kickoff returner at full speed. As he sprints, he will see and feel the position of the front line player and avoid his block with the proper technique. If the coverage player feels even with the block (the blocker is on his profile) he will rip, beat the block with speed, and shimmy up on the returner. If the coverage player feels like he is above the block, then he will cross the front line player’s face, quick swim the arms of the defender, and shimmy up on the returner. If the coverage player feels the blocker is getting deep to a point where he is directly in front of the returner, he will press the blocker into the returner and execute a two-gap technique. The returner will then choose a side and the coverage player will disengage the blocker and shimmy up on the returner. The kickoff coverage player is unaware which block he will see until the whistle is blown to start the drill. He will have to see, feel, and react with the appropriate technique to avoid the front line blocker and get to the returner (Diagram 3).


Diagram 3: Avoid Drill


RETURN PLAYER:

In order for this drill to be effective, you must get the correct look from the kickoff return front line player (O). This is accomplished in two ways. First, we give the front line player a landmark to attack. We label the different cones in the drill #1, #2, and #3. A coach tells the front line player before the whistle which numbered cone to work to. It is critical for the return player to give the proper angle of the different blocks the coverage player will face. Second, we coach the front line player to execute different block looks while attacking his assigned landmark. This simulates the appearance of the different blocks.

It is important to note that our front line players are not actually trying to block the coverage player. Rather, they are simply trying to give some body presence to the look. At cone #1, the player will execute a profile style block on a flat path at the coverage player. This will give the coverage player the feel that he has beat the block with speed. At cone #2, the blocker will be taking an angle to get in front of the coverage player. He will open up his hips to the defender and put his arms up to simulate a set up block. This will force the coverage player to use a quick swim technique to clear the hands of the blocker. At the #3 cone, the blocker will retreat to the deepest cone and execute a “Flip and Tune” technique on the coverage player. The coverage player will feel the returner directly behind the block and execute a “Press and 2 Gap” technique.

FLIP AND TUNE DRILL

OPERATION:

The “Flip and Tune” drill is a kickoff return emphasis drill (Diagram 4). The purpose of this drill is to train our kickoff return front line players how to correctly block a kickoff coverage player. There are two participants, a kickoff return front line player (O) and a kickoff coverage player (X). We begin the drill by telling the participants what return direction we are working. If we are running a right return, the front line player will work to obtain a right half-man leverage on his defender. If we were to call a left return, he would do the exact opposite. The diagram and figures in this article display return right technique.

FRONT LINE PLAYER:


The objective of the kickoff return front line player (O) is to sprint to the contact zone, quickly flip his hips, and snap into a blocking position. His eyes and crotch will be on the playside hip of the defender. His hands are up and ready to strike. If the defender plays directly into him, the front line player will pound his playside foot into the ground, strike, and stop the defender’s charge. Directly after contact, our front line player will strong arm the playside shoulder of the defender. He will work his hat, hips, and feet to the play side of the defender. We call this “finishing in a fit” position.

If the coverage player tries to cross his face before contact, the front line player will adjust his set by sliding to the side of the return until he re-establishes his playside leverage. We refer to this sequence as “tuning” back to leverage. At the cone, our front line player strikes and “finishes in a fit” position. If the coverage player attempts to run by the blocker (attacks behind him), the front line player will turn, get on the hip of the defender, and block him out of the return. We refer to this action as “ride by vs. run by.” If the front line player can’t get his hands on the defender, we instruct him to “recover and rip by.” The front line player doesn’t know what look he is going to see until he flips around. This forces him to have his eyes in the correct area and react the correct way, with the appropriate technique.

COVERAGE PLAYER:

The effectiveness of this drill relies on the look of the coverage player (X). To ensure we get the correct look, we give the coverage player a set of simple guidelines for the drill.

1. We give a set of landmarks to attack, simply labeled #1, #2, or #3. A coach will tell him which landmark to work to before the whistle.

2. The coverage player cannot attack the front line player until he flips around.

3. The coverage player must run straight to the second cone before working to his designated landmark (Diagram 4).


Diagram 4: Flip and Tune Drill


If we want the coverage player to work directly at the front line player, we will tell him to attack landmark #2. He will break off the second cone and attack the front line player. Once he makes contact, he will work to cross the blocker’s face.

If we want the coverage player to cross the front line player’s face early, then we tell him to attack landmark #3. He will break off the second cone and attack the far left cone. Once he makes contact with the blocker, he will work to cross his face.

If we want the coverage player to run by the front line player, we tell him to attack landmark #1. He will break off the second cone and attack straight down the line.

THREE-MAN TACKLE DRILL

OPERATION:

Our “three-man tackle” drill is a kickoff and punt coverage emphasis drill (Diagram 5). The purpose of this drill is to train our players how to attack, leverage, and fit up a moving returner. This simulates the finish phase of punt or kickoff coverage. There are four participants, three coverage players and one returner. The three coverage players (X) are aligned twenty five yards away, facing the returner. The returner is aligned in the middle of the drill facing the coverage players.


Diagram 5: Three-Man Tackle Drill

RETURNER:

The returner is the key to the drill’s success. We coach the returner on what looks we want to show the defenders. The returner has two paths to choose from. The returner starts once the coverage players have sprinted for five yards. He has the choice to sprint vertical for three steps and break to the right or the left. Once he encounters the defenders he stops. As our coverage players get more confident in the drill, we allow the returner to start in one direction and then reverse field.

COVERAGE:

On the whistle, the coverage players attack at full speed with their eyes on the returner. We coach them to stay in their lanes until the returner breaks. We want to close the distance between our coverage and the returner as fast as possible. Each defender has a leverage responsibility on the returner. Our middle player heads up the returner. Both outside players are responsible for keeping the ball carrier inside and in front of them.

Through the course of this drill, we want our coverage players to know where they are and where their help is. The coverage players must see and feel where the returner is going and react accordingly. We teach our coverage “force, fill, and fold” principals for attacking the ball carrier. We see our coverage players attacking a returner that is breaking to their left. Our outside defender closest to the returner becomes the “force” player. His focal point is the playside peck of the returner. He is responsible for forcing the ball carrier back to his help. He cannot allow the returner to get outside of him. The head up player now becomes the “fill” player. His focal point becomes the near hip of the returner. He can now aggressively attack the ball carrier because he knows he has help on both sides of him. Our outside player away from the returner becomes our “fold” player. As he confirms the returner is working away, he will shimmy down, glide, and fold. We coach our fold players to not follow their own color jersey and to take a pursuit angle to get on top of the returner. Once we have fit up on the returner, the drill is complete.

It is important to note that this drill can be run at different tempos. In our circuits, our emphasis is the players’ reps, range of motion, and reaction. We prefer to keep the contact low and stop the drill once we have achieved the correct fit position on the returner. But if contact or tackling is your emphasis, this drill can be conducted using “thud” or even “live” tempo. The “three-man tackle” drill is an extremely effective way to develop your kick and punt coverage units. We are constantly seeing it show up on game day.
 
FINISH DRILL

OPERATION:

Our “finish drill” is a punt return emphasis drill (Diagram 6). This drill simulates the end phase of a punt return. In this drill, we focus on two areas. First, teaching our punt return players to be in the correct relationship to the coverage player. Second, training our return players to react to the coverage player and block him with the appropriate technique. There are five participants in this drill. There are two punt return players, two punt coverage players, and one returner. Our punt return players (O) align on the inside of the starting cone with their eyes on the punt coverage players (X). The returner is in the middle of the drill facing the other players. A coach will communicate to the returner what look to give for each repetition. The coach will either tell the returner to stand still or run vertical.


Diagram 6: Finish Drill
COVERAGE PLAYERS:

At the whistle, the coverage players (X) will sprint around the angled cones before attacking the finish cones (Diagram 6). Their eyes will be on the returner the entire time. If the returner stands still, the coverage players will run through the finish cones. If the returner works vertical, they will break down and aggressively work back vertical to the returner.

RETURN PLAYERS:

The punt return blockers start on the same whistle. They will take an angle straight to the inside of the finish cone. The return player will maintain a “check his wallet” relationship on the defender while harassing him with one hand. At this point, we are at the decision phase of the punt return player’s block. There are two scenarios that can occur. Scenario one, the coverage player sees the returner going vertical and breaks down to make the play. The return player must see and feel his defender break down and turn to engage the coverage player. One hand will turn to two hands as he works to be physical with his block.

As the defender works back to the returner, the blocker works back as well. The punt return player will work to force the coverage player back behind him and away from the returner. In scenario two, the coverage player is running recklessly toward the finish cone. In this situation, our return player will feel the coverage player sprinting at full speed and will execute a “rip by” technique at the finish cone. This technique is just like it sounds. Our return players are going to dip and rip the inside shoulder of the defender just like they we’re scraping paint off of a wall.

This technique is very useful when a return player finds himself out of position against his defender. Rather than blocking him in the back, we teach him to “rip by” to avoid the penalty. We keep the space small and the contact light so that it fits with our circuit philosophy. We can also run this drill at “live tempo” and get great competitive repetitions. Either way, the “finish drill” is a great way of training our players to react and attack with the proper blocking technique.

About the Author: Nick Whitworth is in his third season on the staff of Central Washington University, coaching running backs and special teams. He previously was the offensive coordinator at the University of Montana-Western. Whitworth began his coaching career at his alma mater, Idaho State. Over a ten period on the staff of ISU, he coached special teams, and was both the recruiting coordinator and summer camp counselor.


 
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More Articles on this subject are on  AmericanFootballMonthly.com

Develop Your Dynamic Identity – June, 2013
Developing an Efficient Kickoff Team – April, 2013
Preparing Your Punt Teams – October, 2012







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