Punt team Minnesota

8/6/2019 Punt team Minnesota

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PUNT PROTECTION AND COVERAGE"OUR MOST CRITICAL PHASE"

Statistics show that the punt team averages more plays per game than any other special team. This means theyhave the greatest number of opportunities to do something POSITIVE-for our team.Our punt team is an offensive weapon for controlling field position. In order to successfully keep our opponentspinned on their end of the field, we must attain a high level of proficiency at punting, protecting and covering.Errors in the punting game result in the following:

1. Blocked kicks-usually result in a score.2. Big returns-poor defensive field position.3. Big momentum boost for your opponent.

The punt team requires a high degree of communication, coordination and technique skills. The personnel selectedfor this team are chosen on the basis of athletic skill and the ability to concentrate and perform under pressure.We will spend the greatest portion of our practice time each week on this phase. Make sure your work habits andstudy habits are suitable to the effort needed to perform on this team.The punt team has the capability to set the tone of a game by controlling field position. We will prepare to executeconsistently at a high level of performance.

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SPREAD PUNT FORMATIONPUNT CANNOT BE COVERED UNTIL THE BALL IS KICKED.

"SIX SECOND OPERATION".8 seconds-center to punter.1.3 secondS--lapsed time until ball hits the punter's foot4.5 seconds-ball in air (minimum). 4.9 seconds is desired.

A. HUDDLE (Mayor may not be used)

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B. SHIFTIn order to create doubt in the defense and it gives us the possibility to "go for it" on 4th down.

C. LINE OF SCRIMMAGE1. PP will identify front and make call - Ex: Rip; Liz; Zero, etc. Once protection is determined, know andunderstand who you are blocking. COMMUNICATE!2. PP then says "set". The center then snaps the ball anytime after the set (one second pause). There mustbe no movement after the set call.

All linemen: balanced alignment - inside foot up, hands on knees, head up, weight on inside foot.D. ALIGNMENT - ASSIGNMENT - COVERAGE

1. Center - the number one job is to rifle the ball back fast and accurately- it is better low (around the knees)than high. You should know where the kicker prefers the ball. Expect to be ''worked over". The big secretin the success of the spread punt is the zing and accuracy of the center's pass. (.8 seconds). After snap,make step to proper blocking assignment. NOTE: After "set" call, check the punter and snap the ballwhen ready. Do not create a rhythm or butt roll. Sprint in cover lane when the ball is punted.2. Wings - align off L.O.S. with one foot split from tackle with shoulders parallel to L.O.S. Do not angle shoul

ders. Block #1. lOman rush, punch #2 and block #1. Watch for inside rush. Must release outside whenball is punted. Sprint to cover - you have contain responsibility. Ball must not get outside. Make the bigplay.3. Guards - split two feet from the center. If lOman rush shows, tighten to one foot. Block #3. lOman rush,punch #4 and block #3. Sprint to cover lane - gain width. Being that you are an inside man, you reallyhave a chance to take your shot and force the issue. Keep leverage with the inside shoulder.

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4. Tackles - split two feet from guard. If 10 man rush shows - tighten to one foot. Block #2. 10 man rush,punch #3 and block #2. Sprint to cover lane - gain width. Keep leverage with the inside shoulder.5. Ends - split ten yards from the wing. l isten for call or signal. Sprint to ball. Take your shot at ball carrier.Force the issue. Make a big play.6. PP - set behind right guard at depth of six yards. Identify front and make appropriate call. Call set to alertcenter and linemen that punter is ready for ball. No movement after set call. After snap, step to blocking

assignment. If rusher, block; no rusher, head on swivel and block most important rusher. After ball ispunted, sprint to ball, make tackle. PP is OB of punt team. Make calls sharp and loud. We block whatyou call.7. Punter - align fifteen yards deep. Be exactly at this depth. The ball must be in the air in 2.1 seconds andhang time must be at least 4.5 seconds. Give the center a hip high target with your hands. Be in goodbalance-expect a bad pass. Learn to kick away from the rushers. In ten man rush, you are responsiblefor a man. Practice for speed so you never have to change your rhythm when rushed. You are the safetyman. Call "right"-"Ieft"-"middle"-"short". Get height and place the ball.

E. BLOCKING1. POINT TO YOUR MAN! COMMUNICATE! ! Know your assignment.2. 10 man rush or overload - punch inside man and block outside man. Help your teammate.3. Near own goal line, take a "bigger chunk" of the assigned man.4. You must stop the defensive man and force him to rush a second time. Look at him-get between him andthe punter (Square-up).

F. COVERAGE NOTES1. Covering punts is based on sprinting when the ball is punted. (1.9-2.1 seconds).

2. Sprint in your lane to cover. Never follow your own color jersey.3. Gang tackle. Force fumbles. Keep shoulders parallel.4. Call out fair catch" if it is signaled.5. Know where the ball is. Do not let it hit you.6. Get outside release if at all possible.7. The coverage fans out to cover the field, then gradually pinches it. Wings must be "containers" and keepleverage.8. First men down cannot be blocked and must take a shot.

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9. If the receiver does not field the ball, "hatch it".10. If the receiver ''fair catches" we will run right by him - CLOSE - but do not interfere with the catch. Insidethe 15 - set up a picket fence. The PP will be responsible for a dropped ball.11. "Yell" at the receiver to distract him.12. *Tackle with intent to force a fumble.13. On "pooch" or high kick defend the end zone-keep it from going in.14. Punt coverage is a team effort. It takes eleven people to do the job.15. Make up your mind you must sprint forty yards to cover-PRIDE!!16. Be alert as to where the return is forming. Look for "preset" wall. Study film.17. Objectives of coverage:

a. Hold opposition to less than 6.0 yards per return.b. Cause returnee to fumble and we recover!

18. The secret to good coverage is DESIRE.19. BLOCK-SPRINT-FAN OUT-CONE-TACKLE-FORCE TURNOVER.

G. GENERAL INFORMATION1. Punts can be run out of the end zone. The ball is "LIVE" in the end zone until the official blows it dead.The ball must be covered (hatched) in the end zone.2. Anyone playing out of position must report to the officials when going into a game (REPORT).3. A fair catch fumbled is a free ball.4. Any punt that is blocked and does not cross the line of scrimmage is not a kicked ball and both teams canrecover and advance it.5. A blocked or partially blocked punt that crosses the line of scrimmage is a punt and must be treated justas any other punt.6. If it is a third down punt, fall on it and recover, since we have another down to punt it. If fourth down, pick itup and try to make enough yardage for a first down.7. The ball must be kicked high to insure proper coverage.8. Offsides is inexcusable.

H. CALLS1. "Area" - zone protection. Count from outside. lOman rush, must punch inside man and block outsideman.

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DEFENSIVE FRONT IDENTIFICATIONFor the purpose of communicating defensive fronts, it is important to have a system of identification. Certain frontsoffer specific problems we should be alert to immediately.The quickest way to figure out how many men are on the L.O.S. is to count the deep safeties:

1 deep =10 man front2 deep =9 man front3 deep =8 man frontDo this as soon as you enter the field. Be sure you are aware of the par ticular problems of each front.Eight-Man FrontsSince we have nine available blockers the PP will call "tum zero" which frees him up for most dangerous.Nine-Man FrontsEveryone will have a blocking assignment.Ten-Man Fronts or Overload FrontsExpect all-out rush. 4 or more men to your side, you must step back, punch inside man, block outside man, stay infront of rushers. Protection first, coverage second.Eleven-Man FrontsThis is an all-out, desperation rush some teams use at the end of a half. Since there is no one deep we should have agood net if we get the ball off. Block the same as 10 man or overload front. Bring Ends inside and ricochet block.

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Contain

LW

SPREAD PUNT,rSprint

o 6yardsPP

O 15yardsSafetyP

Contain

RW

ONLY THE ENDS CAN CROSS THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE BEFORE THE BALL IS PUNTED.Center: A perfect snap is your primary assignment. Sprint to the ball when it is punted.RG. RS. LG and LS: Make a perfect block then keep leverage on the ball carrier with an inside shoulder tackle.LT and RT: Make a perfect block then you are contain men - keep the ball inside of you.PP: Make a perfect block then cover much like a linebacker. Go to the ball.Punter: You are the safety. Stay in front of the ball.POINT TO YOUR BLOCKING ASSIGNMENT - CALL OUT HIS NUMBER - MAKE THE PERFECT BLOCK - THENCOVER WHEN THE BALL IS PUNTED.

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PUNTER'S CHECKLIST1. Spread Punt-15 yards deep.2. Feet pointed straight ahead.3. Concentrate on the snap from center. Catch the ball.4. Place the ball correctly on the foot.5. Follow through.6. Keep your left foot on the ground.7. Cover and "shout" direction of kick.8. Know what yard line you are on for "pooch" or coffin corner punt.9. Strive for height and accuracy with new coverage rule (Inside 50-


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PUNT TEAM GENERAL INFORMATION

Statistics show that the Punt Team averages more plays per game than any other Special Team.This means the Punt Team has the greatest number of opportunities to do something POSITIVEfor our team.OUR Punt Team will be an offensive weapon for controlling field position. In order to success-fully keep our opponents pinned on their end of the field, we must attain a high level of proficiencyat:

The Punt Team requires a high degree of communication, between players. The personnelselected for this team are chosen on the basis of ATHLETIC SKILL, CONCENTRATION, andthe ABILITY to PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE.The Punt Team has the capability to SET THE TONE of a game by controlling field position. Wewill prepare each and every week to execute conSistently at a high level of performance.We will spend the greatest portion of our practice time each week on this phase of the game.Make sure your WORK HABITS and STUDY HABITS are suitable to the effort needed to performon this team.

IMPORTANT POINTS:1. The SNAPPER is the most IMPORTANT man on this squad. Great Punts start with great SNAPS.The center snap is a critical part of the kicking game. We have THE BEST in MIKE MORRIS!2. PLAYERS, be decisive about whom you are going to block. Communication is vital in avoiding assignmenterrors which can result in blocked punts.3. The PUNTER should know when to punt quickly! Players should know when to hold their blocks longer.4. PLAYERS, butt your man through the numbers if (Man Scheme). If (Zone Scheme) Punch inside man, workoff the ball, and block outside man. Speed in getting off the line of scrimmage is vital. Use various releasetechniques: Swim, Pull and Jerk or Arm Under techniques. Be smart to change up your technique & tactics.5. PLAYERS, once you release off the line of scrimmage FAN the field and get to your lane. Never followbehind or too close to a teammate. (FILL THE LANES) SIGHT ADJUST with your BUDDY.6. Exercise good FIELD VISION as you cover. Be alert for blocking patterns. On coverage know your assign-

ment. Are you on the (SOLID SIDE for PRIMARY FORCE) or thee FLEX SIDE FOR SECONDARY FORCE).7. Adjust to the width of the field. FAN THE FIELD. CONVERGE AND SQUEEZE to the return man.8. When Punting down the middle of the field we must punt for HANG TIME. If DIRECTIONAL punting weshould still punt for adequate hang time. However, position is paramount.9. Seek to put your helmet on the returner's torso when making the tackle. We must be SURE TACKLERS.The men with the first shot must make the tackle since we do not want to allow running room fpr a goodbroken field returner.10. The 2nd and 3rd tacklers should try to GO FOR THE BALL and PRY IT LOOSE! PUNCH OR HAMMER!


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PUNT TEAM - TERMINOLGY

* ZONE PROTECTION "DOUBLE ZEKE" - 11lis is AREA protection. 11lis is a real TechniqueStyle Protection. On the snap of the ball you should "punch" with your inside arm an workback off the ball. (Your assignment is to punch the inside man and block the outside man.)

* MAN PROTECTION "MANNY" - 11lis is like the word says, MAN protection. After the(FB) makes his call, you will know exactly who to block. (Block # 1,2, or 3 Outside In or Inside Out.)

* COMBINATION PROTECTION "COMBO" - 11lis might be used if needed. 11lis is aprotection in which, one side of the line is in MAN protection and the other side of the line is inZONE protection.

* SLIDE PROTECTION "SPECIAL LEFT OR SPECIAL RIGHT" - 11lis is a protectionwhich will enable us to DIRECTIONAL PUNT or pick up OVERLOADS in specific situations.The word "SPECIAL" will ALERT the line and the snapper that there is a SPECIAL situationand it will require our SLIDE PROTECTION.

* PUNT DIRECTIONS - AREA 1 (LEFT), AREA 2 (MIDDLE), AND AREA 3 (RIGHT) .* SNAP DIRECTION - LINCOLN or LUCKY or LIZ (LEFT) AND ROCKFORD or ROCKY RIP

(RIGHT). 11lis allows us some changes during the course of the season.*

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"SPY" - Called by the fullback in MAN protection indicating that there is a man moving around andhe will block the designated man wherever he ends up."HOLD"or "CHECK" - Called by the fullback when the defensive players either shift around or an extraplayer enters the protection box. (Creepers) After a hold call the fullback will make a new call."CREEPERS" - Outside (DB'S) that are usually double teaming the ends. After we make ourcalls they will try to creep in and block a punt. (Tackles and Wings help ALERT our fullback.)"NOSE" - Called by the fullback when there is a man on the snapper in MAN protection. 11liswill ALERT the line that the fullback will block that designated man."OVERLOAD" - Called by the fullback to ALERT the Punt Cover Team that the defense has 5 or 6players to one side of the ball. (Alert! Special Left or Special Right.)" BLACK 22" - Called by the fullback or anyone that the (PR) punt returner is coming up to the lineof scrimmage to help in a PUNT BLOCK situation. (Punter, get it off quickly)OFFSET COVERAGE - 11lis is a special type of coverage which will be utilized when we aredirectional punting to the sidelines."SWITCH" - Is called by the Wingback to ALERT the guard and tackle on his side of a specialsituation. 11lis call will change the coverage responsibilities of the 3 players involved.PRIMARY FORCE - 11lis is a player that should be going directly to the ball to make the play.SECONDARY FORCE - 11lis is a player that should not make the tackle. However, is coveringthe wide side of the field for: a wide side return, reverse or throw back. (Converge & Squeeze tothe ball.) 11lis is not an ALERT to loaf. Do your job, then help GANG TACKLE!


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PUNT PROTECTION* Be ready on 3 rd down. Report to Coach Zauner on the sideline.* We need eleven players on the field, CHECK - YOUR BUDDY SYSTEM.* The FULLBACK AND PUNTER are responsible for having 11 players on the field.

HUDDLE FORMATION@@)@@@@@

.. *CbtOR&.NUMBERiREPEAT)*aCIICKSET-1STsOUND ........* NORMAL8E:t-1002 .....*DELAYEO SETWloo4* OOuSl..ESET.. i002


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AREA .1G

TAKE ON BLOCKERSANDTACKLE WITHRIGHT SHOULDER!

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PUNT COVERAGE - AREA 2 (CONE DRILL)

AREA 2

AREA 3G

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40TAKE ONBLOCKERS ANDTACKLEWITHYOURLEFTSHOULDER!

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1. ENDS - PRIMARY FORCE - GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. LANE (5)2. TACKLES - PRIMARY FORCE - GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL (SIGHT ADJUST) WITH GUARD. (3;3. WINGS - SECONDARY FORCE - SIGHT ADJUST WITH END. (CONTAIN) LANE (4)4. CENTER - PRIMARY FORCE - GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. LANE (1)5. GUARDS - PRIMARY FORCE - GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. (SIGHT ADJUST WITH TACKLE)FILL LANE (2)6. FU LL BACK - PRIMARY FORCE - GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL, FILL LANE. (1)

"SHORT CALL": USED TOALERTCOVERAGEPEOPLEOFASHORTKICK .LOCATETHE BALL QUICKLYAND AVOIDGETIINGHIT BY T.


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PUNT COVER - TAKE ON BLOCKS I READ & FILL DRILLTHIS DRILL IS DESIGNED TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF PUNT COVERAGE!* THE BIGGEST EMPHASIS IS ON READING BLOCKS DOWNFIELD!* IF RETURNER MOVES UP FIELD FILL THE MIDDLE OR COME UNDERNEATH!* IF RETURNER TRIES TO GO TO THE SIDELINE, TAKE ON BLOCKS WITH YOUR

INSIDE SHOULDER AND KEEP CONTAIN. LE T FILLERS MAKE THE TACKLE!* ON DIRECTIONAL PUNTS TO AREA 1 & 3 WE MUST USE OUR OFF SET COVERAGE.TAKE THE PROPER PURSUIT ANGLES TO DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE THE PLAY!

G G

AREAl AREA 2 AREA 3

.... -".:."-FAN I CONVERGE AND S Q U E E Z ~ I TAKE ONBLOCIfSWITH INSIDE. . .- ...... .. :...... .

BLOCK I SWIM OR RIP RELEASE O!lTSIDEI FANI "". ' ,-""I"

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"POOCH PUNT" COVERAGE -( MIDDLE) - AREA 2

G GO TO THE GOAL LINE IKEEP THE BALL IN PLAY - GO TO THE GOAL LINE I GKEEP THE BALL IN PLAY

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.... ..(RUN BY) TECHNIOUE: (USED WHEN RETURN MAN SIGNALS FORA FAIR CATCII,)

.. . . . ... .:.... ".:.;:::".,: ::::::.. . . . . . . ". . . . . . ' :-". : "." .. . . . . . ... .. . ...... ... ..1. FIRST PLAYER TO EACH SIDEOF THEPUNT;RETURNER (PR)RUNSBY AND GOESDIRECTLY TO THE GOAL LINE TO CATCH PUNT OR KEEP IT IN PLAY! ....2. REMAINING PLAYERS CONVERGEANDSQ{ffiEZETO THE PUNT RE1'URNl\1A.N.PLAY FORA RETURN AND BE ALERT FORAF1.JMBLE!!

GOAL LINE SITUATIONS:... RELEASE FROM THE L.O.S. AND PICK UP THE FLIGHT OF THE PUNT... REACT TO THE RETURN MAN AND THE FLIGHT OF THE BALL. IF YOU SEEAFAIR CATCHSIGNAL FIND THE BALL CATCH THE PUNT,DOWNIT OR KEEP IT IN PLAYI... DON'T BE FAKED OUT BY THE PUNTRETURNER1


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"POOCH PUNT" COVERAGE - AREA 1Terms:

** POOCH PUNT *PUNTINGTttEBALLFOR HANG TIME AND IN. SIDE l " t t ~ j ( ) ' AR b LlNE TO A R E A 1 ~ 2 0 f l i 3 . ;.: .... .:

Punt team Minnesota

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