Untitled - Fast and Furious Football

SPECIALTEAMS 161
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Blocking Kicks and Punts
CHUCK AMI$O ano JIM GLADDEN
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The kicking game haB become the diflerence rn
more and more games. We want our playe$ to
have an ottitude and beliefthat pmper executron
in the kicking game can produce "hidden" yardage
as well as points on the scoreboard.
A blocked kick can provide the edge needed to
win a game. The team that can conBistently block
kicks haB a big weapon in its arsenal. Coaching
the technique is important, but not nearly as
important as selling players on the value ofblocking
kicks. There is no other phate of the game
that gives a team a better opportunity for a big
play Everf kick is a chance for a block or return.
Concentration and effort are essential. Our
system olpunt blocks and field goal blocks is not
that different from other systems. We attribute
our success to drill, practice time, and the attitude
olour players;very simply, we attribute our
success to iord u,or&.
Rutes lor kick btocwreturn team,
. Don't b€ offside.
. Don't rough the ldcker or holder on extra
points and field goals.
. Don't fall on a blocked kick unless it is third
. Don,t let the ball hit the gtound on retur.ns.
. Don't clip.
. Don't block betow the waist.
Punt Block
Our punt block scheme is a simple overload. We
try to have one more man on one side that the
opponent cannot pick up in its prctection, whether
its a zone or man. we like to disguise our atignment
and move immediately after the ball iE
snapped. We generally align with 10 men on the
line of scrimmag€ and b ng €ither 1 or 2 men
out to play the pass or run.
As a rrle, we pressure all kicks. All punt blocks
are automatic retums; we return opposite the
block. Our base scheme for block left is shown m
Figlle 1.
FIGURE I l P""rbr*kbft
o
8-12 yds
For oul defensive punt unit, we attempt to
leave as many regulars as possible in the game.
W€ want experienced starters in the game. This
is important, especially if the offense decides to
fake or run pattems that an inexperienced player
might not readily perceive.
In the early fa[, we try to identify who will
"lay out" to block a kick; then we'll frnd a way to
place thoBe play€rB on the block units. The "lay
out" is a m&st irgrealient; without it, the entirc
blocking procedure can be nullified.
We number our personnel 1 through 10; the
returneris designated as R.we number them for
alignment puroseB and flip-flop them with the
call. The number system allows us to show sev"
eral different looks, but the players always know
where they hav€ to end up when the ball is
snapped.
In Figure 1, numbers 1 through 6 are sefling
out to block the kick. We desigrate a visual landmark
that we refer to as the "spot" for aU ofthem
to aim for Our number 7 and L0 play the fake on
the line of sffimmage, and 8 and I will normally
move before the srap to a depth of8 to 12 yards