Rowan University's Special Teams Philosophy and Punt Team Techniques

We think our approach to special teams is very sound. We utilize all players, both starters and reserves, on special teams and use players from both sides of the ball. Also, we will reward certain players for outstanding play by allowing them to participate on special teams.

We identify every player’s strengths and incorporate them into special teams. We cannot afford to spend an inordinate amount of time teaching skills that players have already mastered. We keep the schemes relatively simple and are willing to use as many players as possible.

The two main goals of special teams are to create advantages in field position and score points. We use special plays when specific opportunities arise within the game. The order of importance will be FG/XPT, Punt, Punt Return, FG/XPT Block, Kick Off, Kick Off Return, Hands Team and Onside Kick. To give you an idea of how detailed our special team preparation is, here is our coaching outline for punting:
 
Punting Team Rules
1.  No bad snaps.
2.  No blocked kicks.
3.  No bad kicks.
4.  No long returns.
5.  Eliminate missed tackles.
6.  Create turnovers.
7.  Eliminate penalties.
8.  Exhibit speed.
9.  Exhibit good judgment.
 
PRACTICE PUNTING SITUATIONS
 
• To have effective special teams, you must practice punting in different situations to expose your team to all situations that can happen in a game.

• Surprises happen when mistakes are made. There are a number of key situations that your punt team should be prepared to face.
 
Key Practice Situations:
•  Punting from the hash marks
•  Punting from your end zone
•  Punting from your red zone
•  Punting from the 40-50 yard line
•  Punting from bad snaps
•  Covering the fair catch
•  Reaction to a blocked kick
•  Reaction to a partial block
 
SPREAD PUNT
 

Diagam 1.

Diagram2.

Diagram3.

The spread punt can be a very effective tool (Diagram 1). It can be used in a variety of situations and helps place your players in one-on-one situations (Diagrams 2 and 3). More specifically, the spread punt:
 
1.  Provides great cover situations

    •  Creates one-on-one opportunities
    •  Center protection rule
    •  3s & 4s (LBs) in space
    •  2s (TEs and FBs) get width
    •  Hides personal protection
 
2.  Provides manageable numbers to block

    •  8 vs. 8
    •  7 vs. 8
    •  6 vs. 8
    •  5 vs. 8
 
CADENCE
 
•  Ready-Ready
•  Count number of possible rushers
•  Number in box – immediate rushers – balanced, unbalanced or overload
•  Identify Protection – zone, man or a combination
•  Call
 
INTERIOR PROTECTIONS
 
5-MAN (Center Position)
    •  Snap the ball properly
    •  Good solid base
    •  Be able to move slightly to the block
 
4- & 3-MAN (Guard and Tackle Positions)
    •  Inside foot one foot away from the inside man’s outside foot
    •  Inside feet of 4s and 3s line up
    •  Inside foot forward
    •  Outside toe in line with heel of inside foot
    •  Feet less than shoulder width
    •  Hands on thighs
    •  Head looking forward
    •  Shoulders over thighs
    •  Weight slightly on front foot
    •  Up on the balls of the feet
    •  Balanced
 
Ball is snapped
    •  Reach back with outside foot
    •  Push off with inside foot
    •  Inside arm comes up and stay balanced
    •  Slide and lean on inside foot for next movement
 
Next movement
    •  Reach back with outside foot again
    •  Push off with inside foot again
    •  Outside arm comes up
    •  Stay balanced
    •  Slide inside foot back to outside foot
    •  Prepare for engagement
 
2-MAN (End Position)
    •  Inside foot two feet away from inside man’s outside foot
    •  Inside foot a hand touch away from 3’s hip
    •  Inside foot forward
    •  Outside foot back two feet away from heel of inside foot
    •  Feet less than shoulder width
    •  Head looking forward
    •  Hands on thighs
    •  Shoulders over inside thigh
    •  Weight heavily on front foot
    •  Up on balls of feet
    •  Weight backwards
 
Ball is snapped
    •  Reach back with outside foot
    •  Push off with inside foot
    •  Stay balanced
    •  Slide and lean on inside foot for next movement
 
Next Movement
    •  Reach back with outside foot again
    •  Push off with inside foot again
    •  Outside arm comes up
    •  Stay balanced
    •  Slide inside foot back to outside foot
    •  Prepare for engagement
    •  Reach out if needed to secure the edge
 
CRITICAL COACHING POINTS

    •  Listen for the calls
    •  Always communicate
    •  Always point out your defender
    •  Come back as a unit
    •  Come back straight
    •  Get good depth
    •  Do not rush but have a sense of purpose
    •  Always get inside arms up first
    •  Hands should connect with others
    •  Never get shoulders turned
    •  Do not crowd the person next to you 
 
About the Author: Jay Accorsi recently completed his 13th season as head coach at Rowan University. He had previously been an assistant coach at Rowan for nine years and started there as a graduate assistant in 1993. Accorsi graduated from Nichols College (MA) in 1985 where he was a running back for four seasons and team captain as a senior. Before joining the staff at Rowan, Accorsi coached both football and baseball at Nichols.

Coach Accorsi answers your questions on Facebook - just go
to https://www.facebook.com/AmericanFootballMonthly/

More Articles Like this:

Human Shield – The Shield Punt Formation Maximizes Protection and Coverage – August, 2013
Preparing Your Punt Teams – October, 2012
13 Advanced Punting Ideas and Drills – July, 2012