AFM RSS Feed Follow Us on Twitter       
AMERICAN FOOTBALL MONTHLY THE #1 RESOURCE FOR FOOTBALL COACHES
ABOUT |  CONTACT |  ADVERTISE |  HELP  



   User Name    Password 
      Password Help





Article Categories


AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Expanded Special Teams: Kickoff and Punt Returns

by: Tim Salem
Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator University of Illinois
© More from this issue

Click for Printer Friendly Version          

One of the biggest areas for hidden yards in a football game takes place in the return game of special teams. Making blocks in open space is critical to field position. Technique, fundamentals, angles, and field awareness must be emphasized to be successful. With the motto “every yard counts” players must understand that working to be at the correct landmark can be the difference between a game-changing return and a penalty. Here are drills that we practice:


Illini Kickoff Return Drill (Diagram 1)

The QB throws the ball to the return man at about 35 years. The defender starts at the 2 yard line on the hash. He will try to beat the blocker and tag off on the runner. The blocker starts on the 10 yard line and drops to the 15. When the ball is half way to the returner, the coach will give a ‘go’ command and send the defenders/blockers. The ball carrier runs between the cones and up the hash.

This drill simulates the blocker to work his ground as the return runner runs off his block. The spacing is realistic to a kickoff return without extending the distance.

Front Line War Drill (Diagram 2)



In this drill, the concept is how the front line blockers learn how to hit the landmark with their back foot, plant, and creep toward the opponent. The players set up 10 yards apart and execute a right or left side return. On a ‘go’ command, the blockers turn and retreat five yards. As the defenders run straight ahead, the blockers will position themselves in a blocking angle, having their inside foot to the outside of their opponent. The blockers then plant and creep forward, making contact with their helmets below the defenders helmets in a bent knee position. The blockers’ hands must strike with their thumbs up and hit with the meat of their palms. The blockers should focus on taking 6-inch steps and not crossing legs over or clicking their heels. Phase two of this drill is having the defender work across the blockers face to the return side. The blocker should finish with a ‘Bob’ attitude – body on body.

Punt Return Hip Drill (Diagram 3)



The concept of this drill is to practice downfield blocking situations at returner depth. The defenders start 30 yards from the returner with four groups going at once. Groups align three yards outside the college hash marks and on the uprights – approximately six yards apart. Blockers will start a half yard behind the defenders on the inside or outside hip.
    On a ‘go’ command, the players take off and the coach will throw a lob pass – simulating a punt – to the return man who is between the hashes. The defenders will work to ‘tag off’ as they maintain initial coverage lane integrity. The returner will catch the ball and work to get back up the middle, working a middle return concept.

Hip Drill Coaching Points:

1. As the blockers release off the line of scrimmage, they should look downfield to find the returner and/or the punt direction.

2. Blockers should stay in a trail position with their eyes focused on the inside hip of the opponent.

3. Blockers need to feel opponents redirect and react as they break down and attempt to tackle the return man.

4.  As the blocker gets approximately 10 yards from the returner and the defender is adjusting to the returner’s move, make sure the blocker can see the “whites of his eyes” before executing his block. The blocker should take his near hand and grab the defender’s near chest plate. The blocker should take his far hand and grab the defender’s far chest plate. The blocker should sit and fit with a bent knee demeanor, stop the defender’s charge, secure and re-direct. As the blocker finishes the block, he should not cross over or heel click his feet.

5.  High Screen Technique: When the blocker gets stacked and can’t get to a block position, he should throw his hands up in the air and screen off the defender with his body position. A push in the back is the number-one penalty called in special teams. Getting players to understand this and have a feel for it will help save field position.

6.  When the blocker gets stacked and beat with no possible way to get a block, he should “abort” his man. From there, the blocker should stop and turn back upfield and look for the punter or any unblocked second level defender. If the blocker continues to stay in a trail position, he is one more man for the coverage team and he will probably end up with a push in the back penalty.

7.   “Slip the Hip” or pre-align blockers on the outside of the defender. When a blocker gets caught on the outside hip of the defender during a middle return, getting back to inside leverage is paramount. The blocker should try to use catch-up speed, if possible. From the outside trail position, the blocker should reach and grab the defender’s inside hip to “pull and swat” himself back to the inside.

 
LOS Drill for Punt Returns (Diagram 4 A-C)



This drill helps players learn how to attack opponents at the line of scrimmage for a middle return. The right and left sides are worked independently. Have the players align in two or three point stances with inside leverage showing a rush-block.

The drill starts with the punt return team taking a small step with the outside foot or the near foot to the opponent to the midline of the opponent’s body. The return team then attacks with thumbs up, hands to the chest and running feet on contact (Diagram 4A). As the return team knocks the opponent back, they should grab and pull their opponent into the body for two steps to hold them from their release. The return team should force the opponent outside vs. a flat release and widen the opponent further from their coverage lanes (Diagram 4B). If the opponent tries to inside release, the return team’s second steps should re-direct off their inside leverage and flatten the opponent inside (Diagram 4C).

About the Author: Tim Salem recently joined the staff at the University of Illinois as both Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator. He previously coached for eight seasons at the University of Central Florida.  Salem has also coached at Eastern Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue, Colorado State and Phoenix College. He is a 1985 graduate of Arizona State.






NEW BOOK!

AFM Videos Streaming Memberships Now Available Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach



















HOME
MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE COLUMNISTS COACHING VIDEOS


Copyright 2024, AmericanFootballMonthly.com
All Rights Reserved