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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Challenging the Placekick

by: Mike Caba
Head Football Coach, Alfred State College (NY)
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During my thirty-five years on the sidelines I've watched in amazement as teams would not contest the PAT kick of their opponents. The defensive players might wave their arms to distract the kicker, maybe a rusher would come off the edge and a couple of players might jump up in an effort to block a kick but usually a PAT kick attempt would go unchallenged. Often, even where there was a poor or slow snap, a bobbled hold, or a slow kicker, the kick would cross the bar and the extra point would go on the board. This was always frustrating to me and I started seeking ways to challenge our opponents’ placekick.

As most coaches do, each year we look for something that we can effectively add to our preparation that takes minimal practice time but might make a difference in the outcome of a game, if executed properly.

In the mid-eighties, the Minnesota Vikings, under then Head Coach Les Steckel, had just what I was looking for: a counter to our opponents’ PAT kicks. We called it the Viking Block and it took little time to install. We installed this kick block, which we still call the Viking Block, and our teams have had success over the years in blocking our opponents’ placekicks. Now the perfect snap, perfect hold, solid protection and fundamentally sound kick is virtually impossible to block, but when any phase of the PAT is out of sync, the kick is susceptible to be blocked or missed and therefore keeping the extra point off the scoreboard.

In college football the defense can score on an opponents’ blocked kick. Scoring two points after blocking an opponents' PAT kick or scoring a touchdown after blocking an opponents' field goal attempt can be accomplished and often is game changing. Even if your team does not score on a blocked kick, the unsuccessful kick alone may change your opponents' strategies concerning the point after touchdown when/if they score another touchdown.

Here is the Alfred State version of the Viking Block:



G-Grunts-The Grunt's’ responsibility is to penetrate the A and B gaps with a hard bull rush. (If an O-lineman steps the wrong way the grunt has a clean shot at a block).

L-Leapers-The Leapers’ responsibility is to time a one step vertical jump (both hands up) with the kicker. The Leapers’ are your taller players with good leaping ability. These players must be competitors who take pride in blocking the kick. Wide receivers and basketball-type players are best for this assignment. In our experience most kicks we block are by these players.

M-Monster-The Monster's responsibility is to control the last man on the LOS (tight end) just as is expected by a strong safety or outside linebacker. In case of a fake the Monster is responsible for man coverage on the end man on the LOS.

B-Blocker-The Blocker is responsible for the wingman to his side. The Blocker first threatens the inside gap of the wing, then makes contact with the wingman, keeping the wing from getting a hand on our outside rusher (Jumper). On a fake the Blocker is responsible for man coverage on the wing.

J-Jumper-The Jumper is responsible for blocking the kick with an outside rush. He is to lay out with his landmark being one yard in front of the kicker's follow through.

SC-Scooper-The Scooper's responsibility is two-fold. First, he is to hold up the end man on the LOS, keeping his eye on the kick (he does not rush the kicker). If the kick is blocked he is to "scoop" up the loose football. After securing the football he heads toward the end zone looking to pitch the ball in option pitch fashion, to the designated "scorer.” After pitching the ball he must look to the inside to block the nearest threat. Secondly, if the last man on the LOS releases as a receiver, the scooper has man coverage on him. Like with the Monster and Blocker positions an OLB or SS is best suited for this assignment.

SK-Scorer-The scorer is just that out pitch man on the blocked kick. He is first responsible for the wing on his side. Should the wing release on a fake, the scorer is responsible for man coverage on the wing. The scorer has generally been our fastest corner.

With very little practice time (we practice the Viking Block against our PAT team five minutes every practice) you can easily implement a kick block that just might win a game (remember Appalachian State vs. Michigan) for your team.

Mick Caba is the Head Coach at Alfred State College. He can be reached at Cabamj@alfredstate.edu.






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