Extraordinary Success Miami's Onside Kicking Game

by: Mike Westhoff
Special Teams Coach Miami Dolphins
© More from this issue

At Miami, we teach and use the onside kick in two specific ways: (1) a "surprise" kick where we attempt to catch our opponents off guard; and (2) the desperation situation-the typical onside kick circumstance where you have to get the ball back. We have been exceptionally efficient in this phase of the game. As a matter of fact, during 1997 in our game versus New England (November 23, 1997), our kick coverage team recovered an NFL record three in the same game. I am convinced our success is due to our planning and the dedicated way we practice it in a full-speed manner during training camp and in-season.

Diagram 1

The Surprise Onside Kick

With the surprise kick, we execute from a regular kickoff formation and, if all goes according to plan, it will be a surprise to the receiving team. We want to tr....The full article can only be seen by subscribers.
Subscribe today!

User Name    Password  Password Help	NOT A SUBSCRIBER? Subscribe now to start receiving our monthly magazine PLUS get INSTANT unlimited access to over 4000 pages of 100 percent football coaching information, ONLY available at AmericanFootballMonthly.com!

**SUBSCRIBERS ONLY** NEED PASSWORD HELP

Subscribe online or call 800-537-4271 and get your password today!

NEW BOOK!

Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach