Three More Fake Punts From the Loco Punt Formation

By Jared Van Acker, Head Coach

Grafton High School (VA)

The ‘Loco Punt Formation’ has been a very effective tool in the punt game for our football team and blends a solid spread punt scheme with an arsenal of fakes to keep the pressure off the punter and to allow for a successful punt and coverage. With this scheme, we have been able to change the landscape of many football games. In the three years that we have used the “Loco Punt”, we have had only one punt blocked and numerous first-down conversions from the array of fakes that we have used. Some teams have quit rushing the punt and some teams have even quit putting a returner back in fear of our fakes.

I am going to outline three more of the fakes that I use in my punt system that are all calls made from the sidelines:

  1. The first fake is designated “Dolphins” which we like to call on fourth  and short and medium circumstances. The fake is a direct snap “draw” that is used to pick up first downs and even, in some case, through deception result in a touchdown. By watching film on our opponents, we may see a tendency that our opponent does not wait to see when the ball is kicked before they set up a  return. Or, it could be that they like to use an all-out rush off of the edge of the punt team, which makes them weak in the middle. The “Loco” will shift up to the line of scrimmage and the “Missile” will back off, then motion across the formation, just like our normal punt sequence. The punter will give the “Dolphins” audible to the punt team and begin the cadence. The long snapper will direct snap the football to the Loco-side up-back or “Headhunter”. The two guards, that I call “Grenades”, get to the second level and block the nearest defenders, usually LB’s. After snapping the football, the long snapper will block back on the nearest defender usually occupying the A-gap. The other Headhunter will perform a kick out/lead block on the first defender in the play side A-gap. The Headhunter who receives the direct snap, follows his lead block right up the gut behind the snapper, keeping his shoulders very low and full steam ahead trying to get the first down. The punter will gain an Oscar for his performance because he “acts” like the snap was snapped over his head and will run after the imaginary loose football. Sometimes it is quite funny seeing an opponent run after him thinking he is going to scoop up the loose football and score a touchdown only to find that it was a fake. The two tackles, or what I call “Tanks”, will perform a reach block and seal off any other defenders in the B- Gaps. The Loco and both Missiles get to the second-level and block the nearest defender (See Diagram 1).

            2. The second fake punt that we like to use is one that we designate “Seahawks” which is a middle screen fake punt. Sometimes we face a team that, no matter what the situation may be, they are going to bring the house and try to block the punt and put man on man coverage against all eligible receivers. We like to run our middle screen fake to counter our opponents over-aggressiveness. Our punter will shift our formation and then relay the “Seahawks” audible to the punt team and begin the cadence. The Long Snapper receives the snap and he begins to retreat from the pressure that is coming after him to draw the defenders upfield. The line will block for a second and let the charging defenders through to attack the punter. They will then find the nearest defender on the second-level and attack them. The Tank next to the Loco will seek out the defender who has the Loco in man-on-man coverage. The Loco will be the intended WR for the middle screen after his delayed block. He will creep to the middle and receive the screen pass from the punter and then turn up field and follow his blocking caravan. One very important teaching tool is to coach your Loco not to cross the line of scrimmage so that you will not receive a penalty for having an illegal man downfield penalty. The two Headhunters will split like they are running a bubble route for a pass to clear the middle for the screen (See Diagram 2).

3. The third and final fake punt is designated “Packers”. It is an option pass fake punt. Sometimes we will face an opponent that is very timid and worried about our other fakes which allows us to be very aggressive when we want to run a fake punt. Our punter will shift our formation like our punt scheme and then relay the “Packers” audible to the punt team and then begin the cadence. The snapper will direct snap it to the Headhunter opposite of the Loco who will effectively be the quarterback in an option to the right with the punter becoming the pitchman. The other Headhunter will become a lead block for the QB to the edge. The Headhunter will pitch the football to the punter off the first defensive threat. The Loco will block and run a delayed corner route to give the punter a run or pass option. The Missile, who went in motion, will run a backside drag to get into the punter’s viewpoint for a pass option. The line will all block back against any defender and stay behind the line of scrimmage in case the pass option is chosen (See Diagram 3).

   The “Loco Punt Formation” has been an instrumental part of our special teams attack. This dynamic scheme allows our special teams to be a force to deal with every Friday evening. 

About the Author

Coach Jared Van Acker just completed his first season as head coach at Grafton High School in Yorktown, VA. He previously was the head coach at Galax High School. Van Acker also served for three years as an assistant coach at William Campbell High School where he helped coach the Generals to a state championship in 2005. He played three years of college football at Quincy University and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University.