2008 UNLV REBELS
PUNT / PUNT BLOCK
April 13, 2008
Glazier Clinic - Phoenix
Punt Philosophy
Unquestionably, this phase of the kicking game
is the most valuable. For this reason, it is
critical that our BEST football players are on this
team. This team requires players with speed,
toughness, smarts and the ability to STRAIN to
get to the football. Tackling on this team is a
must. Many games have changed because of
blocked punts. This style of punt deters teams
from rushing the Punter, because of this it is
important that players on this team are able to
get off blocks and get to the Returner.
Punt Team Goals
1.Perfect Snap (No Snap = No Kick)
2.No Blocked Punts
3.No Punts Returned Over 15 yards
4.Net Punt of 38.0 yards
5.No Penalties
Coaching Assignments
Punt Team – 1 Coach (Usually coaches a
position on Punt Team)
Battery (Snapper / Punter) – 1 Coach
Front Line – 2 Coaches (1 Left Side / 1 Right
Side)
Shields – 1 Coach
Picture Team – 1 Coach
Practice / Meeting Time
Special Teams accounts for 20% of the plays in
a game, so logically Special Teams should get
about 20 mins of practice time. Since Punt is
the most important of the Special Teams it
should be practiced more frequently. At UNLV,
we practice Punt every day. Following the same
20% Rule, Special Teams should get 20% of
meeting time. At UNLV, we get 10 – 20 mins of
meeting time every day. Of that time, 5 – 10 min
is designated for Punt team.
Weekly Schedule
Sun. – Off / Watch game film with the entire team
Mon. – All Players Off
Tues. – Normal situations, review blocking assignments,
introduce opp block scheme. 10 min Punt meeting
Wed. – Specific Opp Block schemes, plus fakes. 8 min Punt
meeting reviewing yesterday’s practice.
Thur. – Down It Punt, Backed Up Punt, Fakes, Special
Situations. 5 min Punt meeting reviewing anything
that needs to be cleaned up.
Fri. – Nothing on the field. 10 min meeting reviewing Tips
and Reminders, Depth Chart, film from yesterdays
practice.
Sat. – Review Weekly Goals, Opp Scheme show 4-5 clips of
opp on film.
Personnel
Ends (WR / DB) – Fast guys that can get off blocks and get to the
ball. Great awareness and Great Tacklers.
Tackles (SAF / RB) – Bigger guys with speed that can get off
blocks and make tackles. Good in space.
Guards (LB / RB) – Tough, Big, Fast guys that can get off blocks
and make tackles. Understand leverage and can tackle in
space.
Shields (OL/DL/TE) – Big, Tough Fearless guys that will sell out for
the team. Decent Speed. MS must be smart. LS more athletic,
RS is a tough guy.
Snapper – Be able to get the ball back to the Punter. Needs to be
able to run and tackle.
Alignment / Protection
E, T, G: Max Splits – By call. Min Splits – 1 yd.
Hat and Hands defender so that he goes outside
of you and release to the ball.
Shields: 7.5 yds from ball. LS and RS 6in
outside Snappers foot. Get Big and post 2 gaps.
Release to coverage.
Punter: Heels at 14 yds. 2 step punt to the call
and become a safety.
Coverage
R
15 yds
10 yds
LE
5 yds
LT
5 yds
LG
LS
LS
MS
RG
RS
P
10 yds
RT
RE
15 yds
Drills
• Coverage Lane Drill
• Net Drill
• 3 Cone Drill
• Huddle / Alignment
• Shield Work
• ½ Side
• Down It Drill
• Full Team Coverage
Punt Block / Return Philosophy
The most important play in football – former Montana Coach Don Read compiled a
study over the last 25 years of games where a blocked punt occurred in college
football. The results showed that the team, which blocked the punt, won 90% of the
games. Our BEST PLAYERS will be on this unit!!!
Philosophy
The success of the punt block and punt return, depends on the exact execution of
technique and responsibility by the involved individuals. This is a phase of football
in which the defense has the immediate opportunity to SCORE! Our system will
allow us to be extremely multiple in terms of the problems we cause our opponents,
yet our own assignments will be simple to learn. As a result, we will devote our time
to perfecting our punt rush and punt return techniques. This will put us in position to
out-execute our opponents, since they will be forced to practice their responsibilities
vs. our various looks.
Go after every punt. We will take a very aggressive approach to this phase of the
kicking game with the understanding that a blocked punt will be the decisive factor in
the outcome of a game. Our aggressive approach will force teams to be in a
protection mode; this will slow down their coverage. We have a well designed return
scheme to compliment our punt block approach.
Philosophy cont.
Punt Block
The idea behind our block system is to maximize
the variables that we present and do so from the
same basic alignments. Our goal is to block
punts and to pressure the punter. By pressuring
the punter, we force poor kicks, which gains
valuable field position. We will hurry the punter,
thereby expanding our return capabilities.
Punt Returns
Philosophy cont.
Our returns will generally be run from the same looks as our punt
rushes. This will automatically put the cover team in a
defensive, protection orientated posture, which will enhance
our returns. We will be a great return team for the following
reasons:
1) Our returner will be a great ball handler and decision maker
2) Our returner will be a play maker with the ability to make the
defender miss
3) We will get great holdups at the LOS
4) Our trail and midpoint techniques will be executed we and
with tremendous effort
5) We will be disciplined and therefore penalty free
6) We will react properly to all “Peter” calls
Punt Block Coaching Points
A. Understand our opponents system and the capability of their
personnel
B. Know their punter: Right or Left Footed, steps and delivery
angle
C. Know the block point and your angle or approach
D. Know the get off time
E. Study the rhythm of the snapper and his tendencies
F. Crowd the LOS. Hand behind the ball, head behind the hand
G. E.M.O.L check on-sides alignment (Rebel Call)
H. Run across the block point and take it off the foot
I. Do not go in the neutral zone.
J. Get great takeoffs. See the ball for get off.
Punt Return Coaching Points
I. Hold-up Returns: Time = Yards
A. Sell the rush!
B. When he blocks you – base up and block him
C. Cover him up – leverage not primary
D. Block him where he wants to go
II. After Release:
A. Run a trail technique on hip of leverage side
B. If behind, run a MIDPOINT path between the
cover man and returner
C. Focus on hip to see cover man come to balance
Punt Return Coaching Points
III. Fit – With Near Leverage Hand Across the Bow of
Cover Man to a Blocking Position:
A. Widen base
B. Hands inside – Breastplate
C. Hands above eyes (Bent Knees)
D. Move feet to maintain position
IV. Finish – When Return Forces Cover Man Reaction:
A. Block cover man past returner. Make him go
over the top
B. As ball goes past, if he tries to cross face to
recover – drive up field sholder across his face
C. Keep your butt between you and the returner
Punt Return Coaching Points
V. Run-By Technique:
A. When midpoint is within 5 yards of returner (risk
of blocking in the back) too late to fit
B. Run-By near side of cover man (between returner
and cover man)
C. Show hands high (screen him)
Punt Block Techniques
Genral Alignment – Crowd the LOS. Hand behind the ball, head
behind hand
#1 and #8 – 1 yard outside slot
#2 and #7 – Inside shade on the slot
#3 and #6 – Outside shade on the tackle
#4 and #5 – Shade the center
Width – Force man blocking you to come out of vertical set and
create seams
Get-Off – Focus on white strips of football. Be aware of the snapper
each week (hitch in the snap/head goes down/knees bend). Interior
players (4/5) watch the snappers hands – usually flex before snap.
Block Point – Normally at 9 yards from the ball
Punt Block Techniques
Releases – Arm Over: Used by interior players (4/5). Quick swim
move using outside hand to collapse near arm of protector
(center) and compact grab and pull techniques to get by your
man.
Low Drive: Used by the outside rushers. Speed off the
LOS is critical and dropping your pad level below the protectors
attempt to collision you. Rip your inside arm low (grab grass)
and bend to the block spot.
Up and Under: Normally used when we give a free rush.
Width in your alignment and a great get-off is critical. Sell
outside rush for 2 to 3 steps (depending on stance). Once
protector gets depth and width plant outside foot and low drive
outside arm through inside leg of your man.
Punt Block Techniques
Block Point / Technique – Sprint to the block point, punch your
hand
nearest the punter, through, to the punters foot. Put your eyes
and hand on the foot.
Run by the Punter – 4/5 run by the Punter to avoid a roughing call.
Punch with your inside hand, do not cross the Punter.
Scoop and Score – If the ball is blocked and stays behind the LOS
– it is a live ball that can be advanced by either team. If the ball
crosses the LOS it is to be treated like a punted ball. “Peter” call
and get away from the ball. Always attempt to scoop the ball and
pick it up to score when the ball is behind the LOS.
Drills
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•
•
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Front Fit and Release
Leverage Drill
Recovery
Fit – Release – Trail – Finish
Cut Off
Gunner 1 on 1
Punt Returners
Punt Block Drill
Important Dates
April 18: UNLV Football Spring Game
April – May: Spring Recruiting Gary Bernardi / Vic Shealy in
Arizona
Mike Sanford Football Camp: June 8 – 12
Mike Sanford Passing Tournament / Big Man Camp: June 14
Mike Sanford Youth Camp: June 16 – 19
For more information please call (702) 895-3400 or log on to
www.unlvrebels.com
Email: andy.larussa@unlv.edu or call (702) 895-3400