By Jeff Mann, Former Coach, Current Athletic Director, Perry Hall High School, Baltimore, Md.
Editor's Note: The following is a continuation of an article that appeared on page 3 of the Aug./Sept. 2002 issue of Gridiron Strategies. To read the complete article on coach Mann's special team's philosophy, be sure to get a copy of that issue — order now!
YOU NEED TO set tangible goals for your special-team units prior to the beginning of every season. These goals may change from year to year based on your personnel, schedule, etc.
Write down every one of your special-team goals and post them in the locker room for all of your coaches and players to see. Keep a running tally after each game so all your players can watch how they're progressing toward their special-team goals.
Special Teams: Game Goals
Set realistic special-team goals for your team before every game. For example, tell your players that in this week's game, your special teams will:
X Cause a turnover.
X Allow no turnovers.
X Block a kick or cause a shanked kick due to pressure.
X Score or set up a score (excluding PAT/FG).
X Convert all fakes and gimmicks.
X Catch all catchable kicks.
X Not be penalized.
X Convert 100 percent of your field goal tries up to 20 yards, 75 percent on kicks 21 to 30 yards out and 50 percent on all kicks beyond 31 yards.
X Average 22 yards per kickoff return.
X Limit opponents to 6.5 yards per kickoff return.
X Average 11 yards per punt return.
X Limit opponents to 6.5 yards per punt return.
Special Teams: Season Team Goals
X Finish No. 1 in each team and individual conference special-team ranking for the upcoming season.
Special Teams: Season Team Goals
X Touchdowns scored: 2.
X Touchdowns allowed: 0.
X Setup scores: 8.
X Setup opponent scores: 0.
X Turnovers: 0.
X Turnovers caused: 4.
Punter: Season Goals
X Punt average: 38.0 yards.
X Net punt average: 34.0 yards.
X Average punt return per punt: 6.5 yards.
X Number of punts not returned: 25.
X Number of punts downed inside the 20-yard line: 10.
X Average hang time per punt: 4.0 seconds.
X Average release time per punt: 2.1 seconds.
Place Kicker: Season Goals
X Average yard line kicked to: 10 yard line.
X Average yard line following return: 18 yard line.
X Average hang time on kickoffs: 3.75 seconds.
X Percent of good PATs: 100 percent.
X Total percent of FGs made from all distances: 50 percent.
Punt Returner: Season Goals
X Average return yards per punt return: 10.
X Touchdowns scored: 1.
X Scores set up by punt return: 2.
Kickoff Returner: Season Goals
X Average return yards per kickoff return: 22.
X Touchdowns scored: 1.
X Scores set up by kickoff return: 2.
Punt-Coverage Team: Season Goals
X Average yards allowed per punt return: 6.5.
X Turnovers caused: 2.
X Set up two scores.
X Punt protection security: 0 punts blocked.
X Number of punts downed inside 20-yard line: 10.
Punt-Return Team: Season Goals
X Average return yards per punt return: 10 yards.
X Touchdowns scored: 1.
X Scores set up with returns or blocked punts: 2.
X Successful fakes allowed: 0.
X Blocked punts: 2.
Kickoff Coverage Team: Season Goals
X Average yard line that opponent starts on: 28-yard line.
X Average yards allowed per kickoff return: 18 yards.
X Turnovers caused: 2.
X Set up two scores.
X Recover one on-side kickoff.
Kickoff Return Team: Season Goals
X Average yard line offense starts on: 30 yard line.
X Average yards per kickoff return: 22 yards.
X Touchdowns scored: 1.
X Scores set up by kickoff returns: 2.
PAT, FG Protection Team: Season Goals
X Protection security: 0 kicks blocked.
X PATs: 90 percent.
X FGs: 50 percent.
PAT, FG Defense Unit: Season Goals
X Blocked PAT or FG's: 2.
X Successful fakes allowed: 0.
