"PUNT TEAM, GET READY!!"

 

Yeah, what do you think of when you hear that?
Oh crap....we sucked that series on offense, lets play some more defense I guess..

Not quite, if your special teams is up to the task

This is more fleshing out some notes and a previous post on special teams (here and here), but this video breakdown of HOW TO PRACTICE it should help.  I've been at places where we did our best to coach up our special teams units and did the lip service of "making them special".  By far the best way I've seen it utilized was at a program where we used special teams as warm up pre-practice for everyone.  We would work like 5 - 10 minutes of individual, segmented drills (in the video) then finish with 5 minutes of full unit practice.  The real benefit comes when you work half-line punt protection and segmented start in kickoff (first 20 yard sprint, 10 yard escapes, 30 yard pursuit / find).  With this true specialization comes the need to really coach details because these opportunities can change the course of the game against any opponent in under 2.5 seconds.

Here is video to chew on while we work on other projects.....

Weird stats

I was checking out smart football, and I enjoyed Chris' recent article on underdog strategy (great stuff).

However, Mr. Brown ends his article with some troubling findings, courtesy of the gentlemen over at Advance NFL Stats.

Given the choice between kicking or receiving, conventional wisdom is to always take the ball. The only time you consider kicking is when you defer your decision to the second half, as a strategic tactic. If you use that strategy, then you always elect to receive after halftime.

This is not ground breaking to anyone……you want the ball, unless you can get it later.

What Advance NFL Stats discovered, however, is the team that receives to open a half will actually LOSE a majority of those respective halves.

This flies in the face of conventional wisdom, even challenging that long held, irrefutable tenant of successful football: maintaining possession.

I have only one plausible justification, albeit an anecdotal explanation (and I am wide open to other thoughts).

I'll take the word of this man:

You may recognize this gentlemen (Elmer Layden, Notre Dame Head Coach 34'-41') from a more famous picture from his playing days:

I remember reading "It Was A Different Game: The Elmer Layden Story" when I was in high school (I highly recommend it both for history of the game, and insight into Coach Rockne), and in the chapter where the late coach was espousing his football strategy, he mentioned he often considered a quick kick on 1^st down when backed up against his own end zone.

Being 18 and knowing it all, I immediately wrote this off as archaic football strategy from the days of no facemasks and 7-3 thrillers.

Maybe, without the use of the internet and fancy algorithms, Coach Layden knew something we lost………that field position, not possession of the football, is the prime asset.

Interesting.

The average NFL kickoff return nets 22 yards.

If the defense forces a punt inside their opponent's 40, and given an average net punting yardage of 40 yards, then the starting field position for the team who kicked off can be expected anywhere from their own 30 to mid-field, segments of the gridiron where the odds of a drive ending in a touchdown increase substantially.

In short, it is (or may be) better to kick-off and then receive a punt, because of the relative real estate you are afforded in those respective situations.

This also serves to underline the important role garnering explosives plays in stemming the field position tide. If one can complete a 20 yard pass during the drive, and subsequently can punt from their opponent's 40, then they have relieved their burden and placed it on the other team.

Finally, in another fine article from Advance NFL Stats, this dynamic serves to highlight the importance of a player like this.

I don't think it is enough to make me not want the football, although I have some serious rationalizing to do to overcome the weight of these findings.

If anyone has any other ideas, feel free to share.

Tsunami (ST)

Had a great time last weekend in the Dome for the LHSAA Championships and got a chance to unwind and absorb all that was around me (outside of muffalettas, meat pies, and Hurricanes).

One facet of the game that I gained a greater appreciation for was after getting to hook up with Leesville Head Coach, David Feaster, again. After exchanging pleasantries, we went straight for the low-down, "Coach, what the hell is up with your damn onsides kick!?". Weeks prior, Feaster and his Wampus Cats travelled to our stadium and unleashed a beast of a kickoff package that left us grasping for answers.

Feaster explained that when he arrived on campus he observed his kicker spending countless hours practicing kickoffs. To assess what kind of talent he had on the roster, he asked the kicker if he can kick it in the end zone. The player replied that, "no", he had never been able to get the ball into the end zone......close, but never far enough to garner a touchback. Coach Feaster couldn't see the logic in spending so much time on such a fruitless endeavor, so he had this player begin preparing to kick a focused, directional squip kick for onsides recovery.

tsnumai @ Yahoo! Video


Not the typical onside kick, this features a focused dto which 6 gunners converge on the single spot the ball is kicked. The ball is kicked so lightly that it travels the required 10 yards (to the 50 yd line) at the same rate as the kickoff team players. The ball arrives eligible for play along with entire kickoff team, who take out your returners and crowd the ball for recovery.

Frustrated at halftime with an adjustment, we ended up attempting to run this ourselves for our remaining 3 games in the post-season. It was no easy task tweaking the kick to not lead the pursuit team.

Punt Protection: Mike Sabock

One of the best speakers on special teams I've heard is Mike Sabock from Western Michigan (formerly Northern Illinois).

Coach Sabock's units have been renowned for being the most efficient and productive units for years.

The following are tidbits and notes from Sabock on utilizing the spread punt package and developing it to a powerful component of your team.

Punt Protection
Using a sound, pro-style combo protection (man conscious / zone concept) with steadfast, unbreakable rules, NIU has been able to remain at the top of the special teams charts for years.

Timing is everything. The get-off time is what's important. A total time of 2.1 seconds (shooting for 2.0 seconds) in this operation requires meticulous attention to detail.

The 14-15 yard long snap to the punter has to be drilled to occur under 0.8 seconds, so that the punter can launch the ball in a total of 1.3 seconds (from the time he catches until the time it leaves his foot).

Some key concepts Sabock believes in to ensure the best execution of these teams is as follows;

1. Distribute equal practice reps - both the 1's & 2's need equal work in practice. Never rely on just one personnel unit when working technique.
2. Film Practice - It is important to film both behind and in front of the punt protection setup and review it with your players so that they have a visual understanding of how the unit works and how their technique plays into their execution.
3. Dependable players - even if these are your BEST athletes, to be involved in protection, the 8 man protection unit must include the most trustworthy and technique-conscious players.

Personnel
Guards and tackles are obviously the better blockers than tacklers in this unit, as they will be most responsible on impeding interior pressure. Most punt teams are comprised of quick and tough. The personal protector of the punter must be the most vocal leader of the unit as he will be declaring the protection and adjusting for any crisis.

Stance
Players align with a shoulder-width stance, with their inside foot up, pointing down field. From here, they should imagine a vertical pole running from their ankle (toes) to their knee, then through their head. This inside-conscious attitude is what sets the next chain of events in motion. This is very similar to a 2 point stance for vertical setting Offensive linemen. The inside hand is placed on the inside knee for balance.

The outside arm is rested on the outside thigh board. With a 1' or more stagger, the weight is placed on the up field big toe.

Alignment
Guards and tackles are the key protectors, having a 1' split between them. The top of their foot should be even with the center's heels. Players want to be as far off the ball as possible to buy time, but must make sure their heads break the plane of the center's butt. Tackle's will line up their inside toe on their up field foot of the guard. Wings should align an arms length from the tackle's butt. Wings can possibly align 4 yards deep, however, the deeper they are, the more work they have to do.

The personal protector aligns with his toes at 5 yards, directly behind either guard (it doesn't matter which one, irregardless of which foot your punter uses). It is important that the PP is deep enough to be able to see the box ("You can't read a page that is right on your face").

Kick Slide
All players involved in protection use a kick slide retreat to maintain their leverage and delay the rush into the launch point. Players push off the big toe of their inside foot, then reach back with their trail leg. This process is repeated into the retreat. There should be a minimum of 2 kick slides, but ideally 3 before setting in protection. Sabock does offer the option of using the back pedal (inside, outside, inside step retreat), but remarks that not many athletes are capable of this for a consistent result.

When kick sliding, players should have their palms up, with their thumbs in relationship to nipple-height. They will be lunging back in this position using the inside hand to engage and the outside to brake/steer.

Teaching
Sabock uses 4' long PVC pipes set on the inside foot of the protectors to be used as vertical guides for his players. You can also use yard line or sideline markings on your practice field. From there, it becomes an indoctrination to the mantra,

"Vertical Set
with a Constant Split
Don't leave your man!"

The most important element in vertical setting is to not stray from your lane as it is natural to stagger or deviate from the starting point.

Blocking
This protection allows 8 guys to block 8 guys. Provided your gunners are covered and there is a returner, that is the most the defense can send.

The wing will be looking to intercept the 1st rusher from the outside as he vertically sets.
The tackle has #2 (from the outside).
The guard has #3 (from the outside).
The long snapper will protect based on the call, but on anything less than an 8 man rush, he will free release.

Again, the main point is;

1. Vertical Set
2. (Keep your) Constant Split (don't extend the distance from your teammates)
3. (now think about) Block Your Man

All protectors will be setting a depth of 5 yards, providing the launch point (10 yards from the ball spot) a 5 yard cushion.

On every play, the tackle HAS to physically point out the #3 rusher and not assume anything. If #3 is shading any part of the tackle, he must point #3 out and communicate that to the guard by making an "OUT" call. The "OUT" call tells the guard that his guy is outside the tackle (this doesn't affect the center).

The long snapper essentially just has to worry about getting a great snap off to set everything in motion. Without a good snap it all goes to hell pretty fast. Therefore, all the long snapper's post-snap decisions are made by the personal protector.

The personal protector will ensure all protectors are aligned correctly (and that there are enough) then declare the front. If there are less than 8 rushers, the PP declares "ZERO" front, telling the center that all rushers are accounted for and he has a free release.

If there are 8 rushers, the PP will declare "EVEN" meaning that the front has an even number of rushers on either side of the snapper (there is a #4 on both sides of the snapper). With an "EVEN" call, the PP will declare a side he will work, and cal ll the opposite (to tell the snapper where to work). On an "EVEN RIGHT" call from the PP, the PP will work left, so the snapper must work to his right and hold up any inside pressure from that side.

If there are 5 rushers on either side of the snapper, now you are facing an overload. The PP will declare an "OVERLOAD" call and the direction it is coming from. In the example below, an "OVERLOAD RIGHT" call. This tells the snapper to work right, and stay right. The PP will pick up #5 and any inside trash that may spill (he just has to close any open space). The snapper should retreat at a 45 degree angle to catch up with the guards' vertical set.

There is no snap count. The snapper will deliver the ball to the punter whenever both are ready. The snapper should look to snap about a second after the front call is made.

a front view of the protection. Notice the vertical plane of the players in their stance, parallel shoulders, and the narrow split.


from behind, the rushing threats can be clearly identified and the personnel protector is in a good vantage to see all possible threats.


In the sequence, you can see the vertical set and the natural progression of pursuit dispersion (fanning out) once the players have reached their protection point (1,2,3 steps) which times up perfectly with the punt.

** Ironically, here is Western Michigan special teams teaching video taken about the same time these notes from Sabock were taken (when he was at NIU)

Kaeding Kicking Klinic

Some notes I'm passing along on the kicking game that have actually helped me (and actually improve kicking performance of players!). This was some stuff I was able to learn from Nate Kaeding when he was at Iowa.

First things first - how do you find a good kicker? The best way is to scout and recruit through Punt, Pass & Kick contests, soccer players, and if nothing else, open tryout (see Texas Tech). You can’t coach a strong leg, so if you can't make one, may as well just find one.

Qualities to look for in a kicker are flexibility, leg snap, leg strength, balance, rhythm (in kicking), and possibly most important, consistency.

Kickers are a special bunch and for consistency sake, it is best to find one guy who can do the job and be done with it. Don't have 2 or 3 guys out there kicking in the game.

Also, it is important to recognize the kicking game isn't just a guy swinging at the ball, it is an entire operation consisting of the the snapper, holder, and kicker. It should be one fluid movement with all three players. Most unsuccessful kicks are the result of poor snaps and/or inconsistent ball placement. Stress the importance of technique (for consistency) and timing (for protection). The metric to strive for is 1.2 seconds total. In high school, if you can reach 1.5 seconds, you are doing perfect.

Kicking the ball
Special teams is all about timing. To improve timing and increase success, take every effort ot eliminate wasted movement (that prolongs the launch).

The kicker should set up a distance based on his personal stride length, starting with a plant position on the ball's (eventual) placement, and taking three large steps backward and one large step laterally.

The kicker should not have parallel feet in his stance. He should present his kicking foot forward, thereby eliminating a gather step completely. The whole movement for a kick takes place in 2 steps with an initial stutter. Any more steps than that and you will have erradic performance.

Once set in his stance, the kicker should pick a target past the goal post and high. With this visualization cued to align his body, he will then direct his attention to the kicking tee and keep his head down, locked on this aiming point. This ensures that the kicker is focused on his footwork and this is the same every time he kicks. With the kicking toe and kicker's hips pointing at the target (ball), his approach will consist of one 4" gather or jab step with the non-kicking leg.

short jab step initiates the long stride approach

After the jab step, the next step should be an exaggerated stride with the kicking leg, reaching forward as far as possible.

The final step is the plant step, which should put the non-kicking foot 6-8" outside of the ball placement.

The momentum of forward hip explosion should be carried through with the non-kicking foot vertically. This can be simulated/practiced simply by rolling the foot forward from the balls of the feet to the toes, ending with a jump. This follow-through ensures a consistently straight kick.

When practicing, this can actually be done with your eyes closed. Rather than shagging balls 40 yards down the field, have the kicker practice his approach and swing on a paper cup. You want to make this movement a habit, train the muscle memory of kicking mechanics.

In keeping with muscle-memorization, the coach should also stress practicing rhythmic breathing for the kicker. A consistent method of relaxed and controlled breathing will help your athlete maintain his focus during clutch game situations.

The Sweet Spot

Of most import for kicking is where (on the ball) to make contact. The ideal spot for consistent kicks is known as the "sweet spot" . This location is 3" below the midlevel point on the football.

DOWN,OUT, & LOCK

The secret to a consistent kicking game is the contact point. Namely, the foot.
The tool used to kick the ball should be the lower inside portion of the kicking foot.

Important coaching points are that the foot should be pointed down and outside. Once this position is achieved, “lock” the ankle to ensure there will be no deviance in the surface delivered to the ball. You want a club for a foot. The sweet spot of the ball should be making contact with the ‘knuckle’ of the big toe. Another crucial aspect of presenting the foot is to always keep the sole of the foot hidden. The athlete should drive through his kicking foot arch into and past the ball.

Much like the Darin Slack C4 Method of Self-Correcting throws, a basic trouble-shooting approach to improving kicking is as follows;

• If the kick goes end over end or spins too fast = contact made too low of sweet spot .
• If the kick goes too far ahead of goal = contact made too low
• If the kick goes quibs = too high of sweet spot
• If the kick goes too far behind / hook = contact made too high

During practice, don’t just having your kicker out there just going through the motions. Have an objective and focus, working scenarios and hashes. This will build the confidence for game situations.

THIS

.....not this

for more instructional material on the kicking game, I would recommend checking out Filip Filipovic at;

http://www.thekickingcoach.com/