Milford Football

1. Milford Football Special Teams - Changing the game by capturing hidden yards.

2. Thoughts on special teams • #1 Punt everyday - most important part of the game. • #2 Be good in everything and be known for something. • #3 Work to minimize critical mistakes. • Critical mistakes end field position • Critical errors • Penalties • Turnovers • Missed assignments • #4 Great mechanics in operations. • #5 Special teams equals scoring opportunities.

3. How to choose your special team units. • Select a unit of 15 - 20 players. • These players must be your best athletes that want to be a part of special teams. • Qualities we look for in these players: • Can make plays in space. • Loose hips and can redirect. • Shows courage and attention to detail. • They do not have to be your biggest and strongest. • Pick the kids that just love the game.

4. Special Team Terms • Short Field - 40 yards or less. • Big Fields - 85 yards or more. • Acceptable Range: • Punt 35 yards from LOS. • FG 30 yards from Kick. • Acceptable starting points: • KOR - Milford 35 • KOT - Opponent 25 • Punt - 5 yards from catch. • Punt Receive: • On the run up - Clean catch. • 1/2 the distance.

5. General Goals: Change the opponents style of play. Win the Battle of Field position. No Punts hit the ground. 100% inside acceptable starting points Create One short field for our offense or score. Create one huge field for the defense. 100% on the passes and operations. 100% protections. Special Team Goals

6. Started 1 - 4: Lost four close games. Out gained three of the four teams. Clearly lost one because of our special teams. Devoted 20 -30 daily to Special teams Problems: Best kids didn’t buy in to special teams. To many kids viewed specials as a time to rest or recover. Head Coach did not emphases it as in the past. Problems quick “fix” didn’t fix the problem. Problems in 2004

7. Selling Specials to the kids. • Game Film - Only specials. • Chart from acceptable starting points. • How many yards did we gain or loose. • Equation of Statistical Victory: • Our yardage + Acceptable starting yards numbers are greater than ours opponents we can win the battle of statistics.

8. Keys to the return games • No Penalties! • Unless wedge - Think Stalk style blocking. • Picking your return players: • Take secure hands verses speed. • Play the confident kid. • Blockers must come from pool of 15. They must be open field players. • Always have something in your pocket.. • Reverse • Gadget • Personnel threat

9. Part One - Kick Returns Defending the Punt Pressure Mugger Defending the Kick Off Sideline Return Middle Run

10. Defending the Punt Punt Pressure Mugger Return

11. Why Pressure: Force perfect execution of the snap. Create anxiety in players and coaches. Force maximum protection. Maximum protection reduces coverage. Goals of Pressure All scraps are ours. Snaps Operations Force poor punts because of pressure. Block when scraps are presented. Quality returns. Punt Pressure

12. Punt Pressure • Thoughts on Pressure • Looking for scrapes. • ID the Hot Spot - 5 yards in front of the punter. • Move on Movement - get off key. • Use hands to take it of the punters foot. • Effort in Return - Two for one. • Alignment • #1 - Wide Nine. • #2 - Seven Technique. • #3 - Five Technique. • #4 Three Technique. • #5 - Two I. • #6 - Head up Center. • #7 - Two Technique. • #8 - Four Technique • #9 - Loose Seven Technique • #10 - Wide Nine.

13. Teaching Punt Pressure in Thirds.Outside Three • #1, #2 and #3 must be able to flat go. • Aim for spot -if block occurs scoop and score. • If Block does not occur run for blocking assignments. • #1 Peel and run for clean up block. • #2 Peel and plug low on the wall. • #3 Peel and form wall - fit 5 yards from #6.

14. Teaching Punt Pressure in Thirds.Internal People • #4 Speed is an issue. • #5 and #6 - Physical players must be able to get through traffic. • Get off and get to the spot. No Block: • #4 Kicks out contain player. • #5 Peel and set wall by #6. • #6 Peel and set wall by #8.

15. Teaching Punt Pressure in Thirds.Outside Third. #7 and #9 Most reliable DB’s. - Pop and Cover Ends. Once punt is kicked #7 get “R” to the wall. #9 Blocks most dangerous. #8 and #10 - Attack players at the LOS and secure firmly for fake. - #10 Make sure the ball is punted, Look to scoop on block, Set wall 5 yards from “R”. #8 Set Wall off of #10.

16. Why Mugger: Create zone concept in return. Jam defender at LOS and Space. Force defense to play with perfect gap integrity. Goals of Pressure Catch the ball Man on a man. 100% Effort Great returns Why Mugger

17. Mugger Return

18. Mugger - Video

19. Catch it in Crowd Drill • Four Players align 15 yards from return man. • If the punt is in the “Zone”. Give the four the go call. • Cover players in control build a 5 yard wall around return player. • Never allow contact. • Receiver must catch the ball and return. • Coverage kids break down and get heck out of the way.

20. Kick Off Return Team Hash Middle

21. Be ready for onside kicks. Front line should never get caught leaving early. Front line avoid line drives. 10 yard rule - live ball. Field EVER kick in the air. You may fair catch. No blocking below the waist or in back. If the return man is in front of you get out of the way. Kickoff return

22. Kickoff Alignment • Front Line • All players in two point stances. • Inside foot on the 47 yard line. • Tackles and Guards angle for sight. • Guards two yards inside the hash • Tackles 4 to 5 yards outside the hash. • Ends • Align on the 36 yard line on a 45 % angle. • Two point stance 2 - 4 yards out side the hash. • Full backs • Two point stance on a 45% angle. • Align on the 26 yard line. • Halfbacks • Align on the 5 -10 yard line. • Outside foot on the hash.

23. Hash Right and Left Line Assignments - Turn and sprint to the 35 yard line. Prepare to attack the number of the man assigned. Stay on your feet between the man and the ball carrier. RT -# 3 RG - #4 C - #5 LG- #6 LT - #7 Ends - Away blocks unless MDT. Play side. Turn inside move to align shoulder shoulder with near HB. RE - Wedge - Kick #2. LE - #8 Play side FB set ten yards from return man and away FB sets on low shoulder. RFB Wedge Kick Kick #2 with end. RFB- MDM HB’s - Return or MDM.

24. Middle Return Line Assignments - Turn and sprint to the 35 yard line. Prepare to attack the number of the man assigned. Stay on your feet between the man and the ball carrier. RT -# 3 RG - #4 C - #6 LG- #7 LT - #8 Ends - Set Wedge with HB’s. Turn and sprint to HB’s. Work defender outside. RE - Wedge - Kick #2. LE - #8 FB’s - Set wedge 8 yards from ball carrier. Go call no hesitation. HB’s - Return or MDM.

25. Coaching the return • Front line • Depth of drop and Head Placement. • Block position - Contact Fit. • Player recognition and Onside • Ends and FB • Wedge development • Kick out blocks. • HB’s • Catch and Go Call. • Acceleration • Recover and decisions

26. Need to have somethingin your pocket. • Create a return that creates indecision in your opponents coverage team. • Scheme or Personnel • Scheme • Reverse • Star Burst • Personnel • Destroy a “pooch” kicking team with best return guy at the end.