PUNT TEAM

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Of all the phases of the Kicking Game the Punt Coverage is without a doubt the most important part of the Special Teams. Only the BEST players will be a part of this unit. The punt is a compromise between protection and coverage. A team could have excellent protection if its players never left the line of scrimmage. On the other, the same team could have excellent coverage if they sprinted downfield on the snap of the ball. Either of these situations could lead to disaster in the punting game. 

A successful punt coverage team must be able to do both. Our scheme is designed to allow for protection so that the punter will have the opportunity to get the ball off and at the same time allow us to cover the punt with maximum efficiency. Of the two protection takes priority.  WE CAN NEVER HAVE A PUNT BLOCKED!!!!!!!! 

The causes of a blocked punt usually fall into one of three categories: 

1. A bad snap from the center. 
2. A bobble of the ball by the punter. (slow handling time) 
3. A breakdown in protection, a linemen or upback allowing a rusher a 
straight rush at the punter. 


THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT A PUNT IS THE CENTER’S SNAP!! IT MUST BE PERFECT 

The centers snap is so important to the success of this play that we want nothing to interfere with it. For this reason the center has no blocking responsibilities and snaps the ball whenever he is ready. 

Get-Off Times Needed:
ALL KICKERS AND DEEP SNAPPERS NEED TO KNOW THESE TIMES!! 

.75 SECONDS -CENTER SNAP TO PUNTER 

1.35 SECONDS -PUNTERS HANDLING TIME 

2.1 SECONDS -TOTAL GET-OFF TIME (ELAPSED TIME UNTIL 
BALL HITS THE PUNTERS FOOT) 

3.8 SECONDS -ACCEPTABLE HAND TIME 

NOTICE: Our punters alignment is on 10 yards. I teach a one step punt. This season we a 39.4 punt average....with only 32 yards of returns for the entire season. Our times maybe different, most coaches have their punters at 15 yards and use a 3 step punt. We have never had a punt blocked and we feel the outside forces can't be aggressive for fear of roughing the punter. Our only concern is the inside forces....we spend a great deal of time teaching protection and covering the field. 

GENERAL INFORMATION AND RULES

1. The receiver of a punt must have a 2 yard circle in which to have the opportunity to catch the punt. When the ball hits the ground protection for the receiver is terminated. 

2. If any member of the receiving team gives a valid fair catch signal, the ball can not be advanced by the receiving team. 

3. RULE OF FIRST TOUCH - If the ball is touched by the kicking team, the receiving team can advance the ball without risk of losing possession. 

4. When downing a punt “hatch” it. ( pick it up and hand it to the official) 

5. A blocked punt or a partially blocked punt that does not cross the Line of Scrimmage is not a kicked ball and can be advance by either team. 

6. When a punt that has crossed the LOS is touched by the receiving team it becomes a free ball and can be recovered by either team. 

7. A Partially blocked punt that crossed the LOS is treated as a kick, and all rules are in effect 

8. Know what PETER CALLS are!!! The punt pressure team will yell “PETER” to alert teammates to get away from a kicked ball. If you hear a “PETER” call be ready.....if the ball hits one of their players it becomes a live ball and we can fall on it. 

NORMAL PUNT ALIGNMENTS

GUARDS: 
Lt Guard and Rt Guard places their toes off their inside foot on the heels of the center. Lt Tackles and Rt Tackles inside foot should be in a straight line with Lt. Guards and Rt Guards inside foot.  Outside foot should be approximately shoulders width, staggered toe to heel and slightly angled out. Hands are on the thigh pads......NOT THE KNEES! 

TACKLES 
Lt Tackles and Rt Tackles places their toes of their inside foot on the heels of the Guards. Outside foot should be approximately shoulders width, staggered toe to heel and slightly angled out. Hands are on the thigh pads......NOT THE KNEES! 

SLOT BACKS: 
Both Lt and Rt Slot Backs alignment are the same. They line up 1 yard away from the tackle to that side and 1 yard off the line of scrimmage. Shoulders are parallel to the line of scrimmage and feet are shoulder width apart. Hands are on the thigh pads. 

SPLIT ENDS: 
Your normal alignment is just outside the numbers. In a tight punt situation you will line up as a Tight End. You are in a normal 2 pt wide out stance and your inside foot is back. 

PERSONAL PROTECTOR: 
5 1/2 yards deep. Split the crotch of the Guard to side of the punter’s foot. 

PUNTER: 
10 yards deep. Need to be aware of the rush teams front, whether an 8,9,or 10 man rush or a punt safe alignment. Also need to know if your are facing an overload look. We always want you to punt away from the overload side. 

SPLITS 
Our basic rule is to have a 24 inch split (2 feet) split all the way across the front. Rush teams alignments and scouting reports may dictate differently. Be smart and know what we are trying to accomplish. 


DEFENSE IS SHOWING BLOCK

Versus a 10 man look and there are 4 rushers aligned between the Lt and Rt Guards the personal protector will make a “4 in the middle” call. Personal Pro. will yell “4 in the middle” to each side of the protection. On this call the Guards will cut down splits to 12 inches (1 foot). Tackles and Slots will adjust down to keep their normal 24 inch splits. 

STANCE: 
Two point stance, hands on thigh pads, drop butt, head up. Eyes cut inside to the ball. 
DO NOT REACT TO DEFENDERS MOVEMENT!!!!!!!! 

TIGHT PUNT FORMATION 

In situations when we feel the return team might bring more than normal pressure or when we are pinned back near our goal line, we will line up in a Tight Punt formation. The only position change is with the Split Ends....they will adjust down and line up as a Tight End. 

Blocking and lane responsibilities are the same. Splits are slightly tighter...12”. 

BLOCKING RESPONSIBILITIES

CENTER: 
Has no blocking assignment. If there is a “four in the middle” call, the center will step back and delay one half count after snapping the ball and before covering. Can not be grabbed or pulled. You should be one of the first men down field. 

RIGHT GUARD: 
You are responsible for starting the assignment calls. You will look inside for the 1st man, either head up over the center or closer to you. You will point to the man and yell out his particular #. You always will get the FIRST MAN to your side. 

RIGHT TACKLE: 
You are responsible for the second man to your inside. After knowing who the RG has, you will look inside for the 2nd man, either head up over the guard or closer to you. You will point to the man and yell out his particular #. You always will get the Second MAN to your side. 

RIGHT SLOT: 
You are responsible for the third man to your inside. After knowing who the RT Tackle has, you will pick the 3rd man. You will point to that man and Yell out his particular #. You always will get the third man to your side. 

LT GUARD: 
You will know who the Right Guard has, so you pick the next man inside. You will have the first man to your side. You will point to that man and Yell out his particular #. You always will get the first man to your side. 

LEFT TACKLE: 
You are responsible for the second man to your inside. After knowing who the LG has, you will look inside for the 2nd man, either head up over the LG or closer to you. You will point to the man and yell out his particular #.  You always will get the 2nd MAN to your side. 

LEFT SLOT: 
You are responsible for the third man to your inside. After knowing who the LT Tackle has, you will pick the 3rd man. You will point to that man and Yell out his particular #. You always will get the third man to your side. 

SPLIT ENDS: 
You do not have a blocking responsibility, therefore, it is an absolute must that you get-off your block and get down field. You are the first wave of defense. You cannot be blocked. 

PERSONAL PROTECTOR: 
Responsible for any leakage that shows. You should look in the following order: MIDDLE to the PUNTERS KICKING FOOT SIDE (usually to the right) to BACKSIDE. When you block, be aggressive and attack; Never back-up. 

BLOCKING TECHNIQUES

GUARDS: 
Key ball. On the snap, step with inside foot and punch with both hands outside the frame of your body. Make yourself as big as possible to plug up the gap. Keep your shoulders parallel to the LOS. Stop momentum of your man by punching him in the numbers. Count OUT LOUD “one-one thousand, two-one thousand.” Then release into coverage. ***With a “4 in the middle call” - Make the call to cut splits down between the Center and Guards. Step with inside foot and punch with both hands outside the frame of your body, be an aggressive blocker...do not “catch” your man. Get your hands into their numbers and keep you shoulders parallel to the LOS. REMEMBER PROTECTION TAKES PRIORITY OVER COVERAGE. 

TACKLES: 
Key ball. On the snap, step with inside foot and punch with both hands outside the frame of your body. Make yourself as big as possible to plug up the gap. Keep your shoulders parallel to the LOS. Stop momentum of your man by punching him in the numbers. Count OUT LOUD “one-one thousand, two-one thousand.” Then release into coverage. ***With a “4 in the middle call” - Make the call to cut splits down between the Center and Guards. Step with inside foot and punch with both hands outside the frame of your body, be an aggressive blocker...do not “catch” your man. Get your hands into their numbers and keep you shoulders parallel to the LOS. REMEMBER PROTECTION TAKES PRIORITY OVER COVERAGE. 

SLOTS: 
Because of alignment you will be further from your man, this doesn’t matter. Key the ball. On the snap, be aggressive and attack your man. Count OUT LOUD “ one-one thousand, two-one thousand.” Then release into coverage. Be an aggressive blocker...do not “catch” your man. Get your hands into their numbers and keep your shoulders parallel to the LOS. REMEMBER PROTECTION TAKES A PRIORITY OVER COVERAGE. 


PERSONAL PROTECTOR: 
Responsible for any leakage that shows. You should look in the following order: MIDDLE to the PUNTERS FOOT SIDE ( usually to the right ) to BACKSIDE. Remember you can NOT give ground, the punter is right behind you. Therefore, when you block, you must attack....do not “catch” your man. If more than one player breaks through the protection....you must make a decision and pick up the most immediate threat. 

COVERAGE NOTES AND RULES 

Covering punts is based on sprinting when you have completed your blocking assignment. The punt should be off in 2.1 seconds or less. You will get a feel of the amount of time that you will have to protect (approx. 2 counts). This is the reason we count out loud one-one thousand, two-one thousand......then we release into coverage. 

1. Sprint in YOUR lane to YOUR landmark. Converge on the returner. Never follow your own colored jersey. Have awareness of the blockers position...this will tell you if they have a wall return, wedge return, or a kick out return. 

2. Key the RETURNER. Do not look up for the ball, unless it is a POOCH situation. 

3. Keep shoulders parallel at all times. Gang tackle. 

4. Call out “FAIR CATCH” if it is signaled. 

5. Know where the ball is. Do not let it hit you. Be alert for the “PETER” call. 
***Remember a “PETER” call is yelled when a kicked ball has a chance to hit one of the punt return teams players. If you hear a “PETER” call look for the ball, but remember.....they can still return it, so don’t forget about defending the return man. You should however be aware of the location of the ball. 

6. If the receiver does not field the ball or if the ball hits you or one of your team mates, HATCH IT.
***HATCH IT...means to pick the ball up and hand it to the referee. 

7. Cover hard. Converge to the ball always keeping it in front of you. Never overrun the returner. Break down five to seven yards from the returner. 

8. Make up your mind that you must sprint forty yards to cover. Do it with EAGLE PRIDE!!! 

9. Punt coverage is a team effort. It takes eleven people to do this job. If one person doesn’t do their job, it can be disastrous for our football team!!! 

10. The secret to good coverage is DESIRE!!! 

11. Punter - Remember that hang time is first and foremost. Distance is second. 

12. BLOCK - SPRINT OUT - CONVERGE - TACKLE - STRIP BALL

Copyright © 2000  [The Special Teams Web Page].  All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in ANY form by means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission from Bill Shackelford.  Revised: November 22, 2000 .