SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
Own a Third of the
Game
SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
4 PILLARS
•System
•Style
•Take what they give
•Do what your players do
well
SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
I. SYSTEM / PLAN
– Important
• Coaches- Time, Best 11
• Players- Attitude, Goals,
Rewards
– Structured / Organized
• Playbook / Practice Plans
• No wasted time- limited
SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
II. STYLE
– Attacking / Aggressive
– Same Formation
Different Attacks
– Few Techniques
– Easy to adjust
SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
III. TAKE WHAT THEY
GIVE YOU
– Attack their weakness
SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
IV. DO WHAT YOUR
PLAYERS DO WELL
– Install Playbook-
modify to your players
PHILOSOPHY OF THE KICKING GAME
The Bearcats kicking game is considered an “offensive” phase of our approach to the
game of football. Football is a game of possession and vertical field position, and one-
third of our game is in the realm of the kicking game. Failure to pay full attention to
the details in this phase of our game leaves us at 66% efficiency. Our kicking game
provides us with opportunities to score points and we must think in terms of total team
dedication to score with every phase of our football team. We can always make the big
play in every phase of the kicking game. Our style will be one that will always attack
and keep the pressure on. Our approach to the kicking game will be one of constant
emphasis toward kicking game consistency and efficiency with simplicity...but...done
with effort, intensity, discipline, concentration, and mental toughness. Each member of
our team will have a responsibility. Our ability to act and react to a pressure play will
be measured by our performance.
The importance of the kicking game is obvious. It Is 30%, generally speaking, of a
football game. It should also be noted that because of the nature of a kicking game
play, a great deal of yardage is involved. It is imperative that the exchange of this
yardage be in our favor if we want to win consistently.
One, or more, of the following three events take place on every kick, while they usually
do not occur frequently on other scrimmage plays:
1) A sizable amount of yardage is involved (40 yards or more);
2) There is a change of ball possession involved;
3) A specific attempt to score points is involved (PAT or field goal attempt).
The plays that involve the kicking game, therefore, are weighted heavily, insofar as
they affect the tide and outcome of the game.
Just as success begets success on offense and defense, the same is true of the special
teams. When players realize what excellent special teams play can do for the winning
effort, the more enthusiasm they will generate towards the whole team. This
enthusiasm will result in the development of the necessary pride and togetherness
needed for great special teams.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FIELD POSITION
IN THE KICKING GAME
The kicking game gains importance when you realize how important a role it plays in
determining offensive scoring ability. We already know that the further away an
offense starts from its intended goal, the more difficult it will be to score. Conversely,
the closer the offense starts, the easier it will be to score. Our defensive field chart
clearly shows this difference.
1 out of 30
10 10
1 out of 15
20 20
1 out of 8
40 40
1 out of 5
50 50
1 out of 3
40 40
1 out of 2
20 20
1 out of 2
10 10
ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL KICKING GAME
ELIMINATE MISTAKES. Most mistakes in the kicking game are caused by a lack
of belief in its importance. Lack of belief leads to a lack of concentration and from
that follows a major miscue. Belief in the importance of the kicking game is the key
to elimination of mistakes.
INTENSITY. Intensity is vital in all phases of our team and certainly must be
constant in the kicking game.
FUNDAMENTALS. Fundamentals play a key role in our kicking game. The kicking
game involves many precise skills. Concentration during our practice and game
situations is critical to our ability to succeed.
ATTITUDE. The key to any success, individual or collective, is attitude.
PRACTICE. Special Teams are of equal importance with offense and defense.
Unfortunately, we have only so much practice time available for each team. To
make the most of this time we must be well organized when we hit the field.
Everyone involved needs to have a sense of urgency, from the scout team to the
coaching staff. The more reps we get each practice will increase our ability to
perform the special teams flawlessly on game day.
THE SCOPE OF THE KICKING GAME
A. Punting
B. Punt Defense
C. Kickoff
D. Kickoff Return
E. PAT/ FG
F. PAT/ FG Defense
PUNT:
PUNT SECURITY:
A blocked punt against you is devastating; your protection technique must be perfect to
secure the punt.
PUNT COVERAGE:
Keeping your opponent to a minimum return is your main goal; your punter’s hang time
and covering punts with all-out speed are the essential ingredients for success.
PUNTING OUT OF YOUR END ZONE:
This is a critical situation that could turn into disaster if execution is not perfect; constant
practice to develop the punter’s confidence in this scheme is needed.
PUNTING TO PIN THE OPPONENT INSIDE THE 10 YARD LINE:
Eliminate the touchbacks; determine which punter can do best in this situation. Control
coverage men to cover punt.
NET PUNT:
This is a valuable team statistic, a good element to use for unit pride. It combines
distance, hang time, and coverage- which requires success by all 11 men.
PUNT RETURN:
This element presents an opportunity like no other to influence the outcome of a game.
The punt returner is critical to success- he must have sure hands, good judgement,
toughness, quickness and speed (in that order). Penalties are extremely costly; they
could mean loss of possession. Work on consciously avoiding penalties.
PUNT HOLDUP:
Delaying the coverage releases, holding up the ends, and forcing the punter to kick on
time creates the opportunity for a big punt return.
PUNT BLOCKS:
The punt block is a game-breaking play; timing and exact execution require constant
practice to eliminate errors.
KICKOFF COVERAGE:
This can establish the tempo of the game. Deep, high kicks and coverage men who
stay in their lanes and go all out will make for minimum requirements.
ORGANIZATION AFTER A SAFETY:
It is most urgent that this be executed to perfection to negate any change of
momentum provided by the safety. A Deep high kick (punt) with all-out coverage is a
must.
SQUIB KICKOFF COVERAGE:
Good coverage will keep the great return man in a hole; the kicker must keep the ball
down on the ground.
ON-SIDE KICKOFF COVERAGE:
This should be used in desperate or high-advantage situations. Recovery men must
keep the ball in front of them and in bounds. The kicker must make the ball travel a
minimum of ten yards.
KICKOFF RETURN:
The kickoff return is your best opportunity to establish good field position and control
the game; hard all-out plays make it happen. Penalties on a kickoff can put you in a
deep hole; work on avoiding penalties, especially clipping and illegal blocks.
HANDS RETURN:
You must recover the on-side kick, or the momentum of the game may change; use
special personnel with quickness and good hands.
SQUIB RETURN:
A modest return is acceptable; loosen men in a wedge to cover the field; the return
man should cover the ball with both arms.
FREE KICK:
This is a rare uncontested opportunity to score following a fair catch; you must cover
after the kick.
PAT and FG:
This begins with a perfect snap and a good hold; precise depth of the holder and
consistently good snaps make the blockers’ job easier.
PAT and FG PROTECTION:
A block of your field Goal usually results in points for your opponent; a good blocking
scheme and proper timing will score points for your team.
FIELD GOAL COVERAGE:
It is essential to cover field goals after the ball has been kicked; cheap scores by your
opponent due to lack of attention in this area can destroy an otherwise great effort.
PAT and FG DEFENSE:
PAT DEFENSE:
Success in blocking PAT’s can provide margin for winning close games, use an
all-out 11-man rush.
BASIC FIELD GOAL BLOCK:
This has a built-in element of rush, possible fake precaution, and return
provisions; use it when a fake is possible but not probable.
ALL-OUT FIELD GOAL BLOCK:
Use this in a positive kicking situation; commit all resources to the rush with
no concern for the fake or the return.
FIELD GOAL PREVENT:
Use this when you want the opponent to kick. Your main concern is to guard
against the fake. This is a good alignment for returning a short kick.
KICK OFF RETURN
•2001 – Ave Start Pos: 25.5 yd line
•2001 – Ave Return: 22.77 yds
•2001 – 3rd WAC: 23rd Nation
•2002 – Ave Start Pos: 28.8 yd line
•2002 – Ave Return: 25.47 yds
•2002 – 1st WAC : 3rd Nation
KOR- LEFT 34 TRAP
K
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LT C RT
LG RG
2
4 5
1 10
6 9
3 7
LE RE
8
LU RU
Block
LR MDM RR
KOR- LEFT 23 TRAP
K
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LT C RT
LG RG
2
4 5
1 10
6 9
3 7
LE RE
8
LU RU
Block
LR MDM RR
KOR- LEFT DOG
K
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LT C RT
LG RG
2
1 5 10
4 6 9
3 7 8
LE RE
LU RU
Block
LR #3 RR
KOR- MIDDLE CROSS
K
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
LT C RT
LG RG
2
1 10
6
3 4 5 7
LE RE
8 9
LU RU
Block
LRMDM /#2 RR
SBU SPECIAL TEAMS
Contact Information:
Keith Allen
Head Football Coach
kallen@sbuniv.edu
