By Dan Teeter, Special Teams And Secondary Coach,
Sedro-Wooley High School, Sedro-Wooley, Wash.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a continuation from the feature article (“Versatile, Easy-To-Teach ‘Jesse James’ Punt Return Scheme ‘Steals’ Return Yardage”) that appeared in the April/May 2004 issue of Gridiron Strategies. To order this issue, or to become a subscriber to Gridiron Strategies, click the “Subscribe” button at the top of the page.
Following are critical teaching points to stress and instill in your punt return players.
Return Blocking Principles
• Attack the coverage man “pad under pad” on proper aiming point. This enables the blocker to control and release the opponent to the side away from the return.
• Work to the outside shoulder, 2 to 3 yards from the coverage man.
• Do not block unless you are able to get your head out in front of the coverage man.
• Stay on your feet. Get up quickly whenever you are knocked down. It’s a crime to stay on the ground.
• If you are able to knock an opponent down, stay after him. Do not go on to someone else.
• If you are about to lose a block, sprint toward the returner to regain positioning.
Returner Principles
• Key the punter. Start moving in the direction he steps and don’t wait for the ball to be in the air.
• Get underneath the ball, use proper technique, with knees bent and elbows together.
• Do not field a ball inside the 10-yard-line. On pooch punts, stand on the 10-yard-line, but never retreat to catch a punt.
• Do not fake a fair catch on a pooch punt. Instead, fake a catch by sprinting up the middle or sideline, slightly away from the location of the ball. This will draw away coverage and hopefully allow the ball to roll into the end zone — uncovered.
• Field all punts in the air. (NOTE: An exception may be when it is late in the game and your team has the lead and a good field position. The coach must give this directive, which allows for more time to run off the clock, and avoids the risk of a “muff.”)
• Make the decision to fair-catch early, and signal it early.
• The punt returner must beat the first man.
Punt Blocking Principles
• Align as close to the neutral zone as possible. Be alert as soon as the center touches the ball.
• Get off the ball quickly. Concentrate only on the ball, as teams may shift. Do not jump off-sides.
• Pick up your feet and run over the legs of the blockers. Stay low on the initial charge and make yourself “small” as you slice through the line.
• Eliminate the personal protector, who is about 3.5 to 4 yards in front of the punter and about 2 feet to the side of his kicking foot. Once you near the blocking zone, focus 1 yard in front of the punter’s foot, watching the ball.
• “Catch” the ball off the kicker’s foot. Keep your hands together, with your fingers and thumbs tucked in to avoid jamming a finger. Keep your eyes open to catch the ball as it comes off the foot. Arms should be extended in front of your chest, not above your head.
• Once the kick is blocked, the first person scoops it up toward the end zone. All other players block for him to in hopes of a score.
