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Punt Protection and Coverage

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At Olivet Nazarene University we prioritize our special teams as follows (in order of importance): 1. Punt Protections and Coverage 2. Kickoff Coverage 3. Extra Point Protection 4. Punt Return and 5. Kickoff Return. Time spent on a particular special team unit is based on our priority list; thus, we will spend more time and effort on the punting game than we would spend on the kickoff return. This article will focus on our number one priority – Punt Protection and Coverage.

Punt Personnel and Alignment

ONU utilizes as much speed as possible on our punt protection team. As you will see from Diagram 1, we utilize tailbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, fullbacks and linebackers to protect and cover our punts. We want our front five to be big enough to protect but also fast enough to cover our punts. ONU will utilize a quarterback as its personal protector. We want someone at this position who can throw the football to an uncovered gunner and be smart enough to recognize how many defenders are forcing our punt. We utilize a spread formation because we believe this allows for immediate coverage using wide outs (gunners) and still provides adequate protection.

Punt Protection
I would like to describe to you how we protect against six, seven and eight defenders attempting to block our punt. Let me begin with protection versus six men forcing our punt (See Diagram 2). Our punt protection begins with recognition of defenders forcing our punt. Our personal protector is responsible for counting the defenders and making the proper call. Versus six defenders rushing the punter, the personal protector will make a “6 up” call. Our wide outs (gunners) are responsible for getting a clean release and making first contact with the punt returner. The wings are responsible for #1 again counting outside in, tackles have #2, guards #3. Versus six men forcing, the personal protector will check for any leaks inside out and release to the punt returner; he becomes the safety to his right. The punter will get the kick off and become the safety to the left.

Versus seven defenders forcing our punt all assignments for the wing, tackle and guards will remain the same. The personal protector will be responsible for the fourth person right or left. He simply makes a call “7 up right, 7 up right.” A “6 or 7 up” call alerts the center that he has a free release after he makes a perfect snap (See Diagram 3).

Versus eight defenders forcing our punt (four to the right, four to the left- balanced) all assignments will remain the same for the wings, tackles and guards. The personal protector will make an “8 up right/left” call alerting the center that he must now stay and protect away from the directional call made by the personal protector. Thus an “8 up right” call alerts the center he must block to his left before releasing downfield (See Diagram 4).

Versus eight defenders forcing our punt in an unbalanced set (five to one side and three to the other) our personal protector is assigned to make an unbalanced call right or left depending on the placement of the fifth defender. Versus an unbalanced front, the personal protector will continue to block #4 and the center is assigned #5 to the unbalanced side (See Diagram 5).

Versus the Stack and Twists
Like everyone else, we often face teams that want to stack or twist in an attempt to block a punt. These methods do not affect how we block. Even though we are predominantly a man-to-man blocking team, we do utilize when necessary, zone concepts. We will not chase defenders and we will not turn our shoulders. We have found and teach that if your assigned man leaves your area, another threat will come to your area – be patient, don’t chase (See Diagram 6).

Our personal protector will make a “stack alert” call to remind our players not to chase. Someone will come to your area. The personal protector will count anyone stacked when making his six, seven or eight call. He has been assigned to count anyone two yards or less away from the line of scrimmage. Basically, he will count anyone who can legitimately block our punt.

The Stance and the Kickslide Technique
Our players achieve success by assuming a proper stance and by perfecting a “kickslide” step. The stance is very simple. We teach an inside foot up staggered stance. An inside foot up stagger allows us to force all defenders to the outside away from the punter’s foot. We strive to form a semi-circle in front of our punter (See Diagram 7).

Our kickslide step allows us to separate from the defender much like the separation you want when pass blocking. We kick (start a motorcycle) with the back foot and slide the front foot while keeping our shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage and keeping our horizontal split with our teammate always consistent. We teach a maximum of three kickslides before stopping/punching our opponent.

Punt Coverage
At ONU as well as at the high school level, I have assigned our punt coverage and kickoff coverage personnel certain lanes to fill when covering a punt or kickoff. By assigning specific lanes rather than a specific yardage separation from their teammate, we have been more consistent in our coverage. Our lane assignments (Diagram 8) are defined as follows:
• Gunners - go directly to the punt return man; take a shot.
• Wings – after blocking, run to the top of the numbers, no one outside of you. Remember to keep the ball carrier inside and in front of you at all times.
• Tackles – after blocking, run to the hashmarks, keep the ball carrier inside and in front of you at all times.
• Guards – after blocking, run to the uprights, keep the ball carrier inside and in front of you at all times.
• Center – depending on the blocking scheme, go directly to the ball carrier; take a shot.
• Personal Protector – after blocking, become the safety to your right staying 15 yards from the ball carrier unless making the saving tackle.
• Punter – after punting, become the safety to your left staying 15 yards from the ball carrier unless making the saving tackle.





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