PUNT PROTECTION AND COVERAGE

PHILOSOPHY

Unquestionably, this phase of the kicking game is the most volatile. The complexion of
many games has turned due to a blocked punt or long return. For these reasons,
this area of the kicking game demands more practice time and maximum concentration
by the participants.

PUNT TEAM GOALS

A. No blocked punts
B. No punts returned for touchdowns
C. Punt net average of 37 yards

GENERAL INFORMATION

A. TIMING
We must adhere to and perform our snap to punt process within the
following time standards:

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1. Snap 15 yards 0.8 seconds
Punter 1.2 seconds
Total 2.0 seconds
2. Any longer and we risk having a punt blocked

B. PUNT FORMATIONS
1. Spread Punt

G) 15YARDS

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 2. Tite Punt

C. ALIGNMENT, STANCE, STEP (A.S.S. TECH)

1. ALIGNMENT
Guards 6"_1' from Center's heels
Tackles l' from Guard
Wings Inside foot directly behind Tackle's outside foot 1
yard deep .
Ends (Bullets) 10-14 yards from the EM LOS
FB 4 yards from the ball behind Guard (kick foot)
P Heels at 15 yards

2. STANCE
Stagger stance (shoulder width) with inside foot up parallel with
Center's heels (GuardslTackles). Outside foot toe to heel/instep
relationship. Hands on thighs, elbows slightly bent, knees flexed.
Chin over toes.

3. Steps
On snap of ball, first step is back with outside foot (inside hand
checks), second step back with inside foot, and third step is back
with outside foot-be ready punch and H.O.T. (hands on torso).

Points of Emphasis
Must be able to line up correctly and quickly, seeing the ball with your'
peripheral vision and reacting to the snap, not movement of the defense.
Get depth quickly.
 D. PROTECTION ZONE

1. Zone-Each player is responsible for a zone and the

rusher or rushers within that zone.
Example: Right Guard's zone is from his nose through the 8-
Gap to the nose of the Right Tackle.

2. Our protection is designed to block the rushers in side/out.

We want to punch and H.O.T. (Hands On Torso) the
rushers, making them restart their feet by hitting them with
inside/out force .

3. Each blocker controls the width of the zone to their inside.

An excessively wide split causes the next inside blocker to
protect more zone man than is physically possible. Use
your splits intelligently .

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 4. If there is no threat to your zone, help inside by not moving
your inside foot and bumping the near rusher.

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evV: :V
. GG
E. HUDDLE
We will organize on the sideline in the special team box-receive
the call. Then Center, Punter, and both Bullets will run out and
line up and get ready. The remaining players (G's, T's, W's, and
FB) will wait until they are sent by the coach. This group will sprint
out, immediately getting set. The ball will be snapped as soon as
FB gives the "ready" call.

F. FULLBACK CALLS

• 1-Green (Zone Protection)-Ready

2-Blue (Man Protection)-Calls (Even UR, Overload UR)
Example: Even Left, Even Left "Ready"
3-Red-Same thing-milk the clock.
*-Jump-will be added to any call
Example: Bench call-Jump Green-Run out to the field-FB
calls Ready-Center squeezes the ball-FB wait about 2
second and say "Set". Everybody's hands slide down to
their knees, and butts drop-snap the ball quickly if the return
team jumps.
CP- The call UR will send Center to the A Gap to block, FB goes
opposite A Gap.

G. TOTAL PROGRESSION

1. Center: Perfect snap quickly after "Ready" call. Get depth

after snap ready to block RNCT A Gap. Get H.OT (Hands
on Torso), keep shoulders square. Release into coverage.

2. Guards: You are responsible for B Gap. Use proper

footwork. Use big hands to help in other gaps, be ready to
punch and get H.O.T. (Hands On Torso). Keep shoulders

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square. Work outside release. Get into coverage .
• 3. Tackles; You are responsible for C Gap. Use proper
footwork. Use big hands to help in other gaps, be ready to
punch and get H.O.T. Keep shoulders square. Work
outside release. Get into coverage.

4. Wings: You are responsible for 0 Gap. Use proper

footwork. Use big hands to help in other gaps, be ready to
punch and get H.D.T. Keep shoulders square. Work
outside release. Get into coverage.

5. FB: Make sure we have 11 men on the field. Game

situation will determine if we would take a time out. In the
majority of situations we would NOT use a time out. Call
out color (Green)-make sure everybody is set. Quickly call
out "Ready". Step up and block RlL A Gap. Be ready to
punch and get H.O.T. (Hands On Torso). Keep shoulders
square. Work release. Get into coverage.

6. Punter: Punt with a smooth consistent rhythm. Entire

operation time should be 2.0 or less. Anticipate rush
situations and take responsibility of getting punt off.

• CP
Distance and hang time=net punting. You are the safety.

If we are on our right hash we will punt to the right #'s. If we are on our
left hash we will punt to our left #'s. If we are in the middle of the field we
will punt to whichever side is best for our Punter.

H. COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
In this scheme we will fan out and cover the field. Get width and get
downfield simultaneously as you cover in lanes 5 yards apart. NEVER
follow your own jersey. Keep proper leverage on the ball by trying to
always keep the ball inside and in front of you.

ENDS (Bullets) Beat press, go to ball. I

LW-RW You are contain. Squeeze to the ball. Keep

everything in front and inside of you. Stay as wide
as the widest, being alert for a wall return. If you
can make a tackle, do it! If not, stay on your feet,
force everything inside.

LT-RT Work for outside release. Your initial lane is

approximately 10 yards outside the Center.
Squeeze to ball, make tackle.
 LG-RG Work for outside release. Your initial lane is approximately
5 yards outside the Center. Squeeze to ball, make tackle.

C Great snap. Coverage should be head-up to ball. Squeeze

to ball. See return make tackle.

FB Release, go to ball. Make tackle.

P You are the safety! Be in position to make play. Keep

proper leverage, have proper angle on football.

BALL BALL

BALL
BALL

S YARDS S YARDS

• S

r
p

C.P. Wings be alert to fold back inside late once the ball is committed inside.

I. SPREAD PUNT & COVERAGE

GENERAL RULES

1. Block your responsibility. Work for an outside release.

Cover in correct lane and make tackle.

2. In protection, block until you hear the "THUD" of the ball. If

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you are not attacked, count 1001 ... 1002... GO!
 3. Never follow a teammate downfield. Find the direction of
the punt, fan out as you run through your landmark and
maintain your 5 yard spacing with the person next to you.

4. Maintain proper shoulder leverage. Keep the ball on your

inside shoulder. Come under control as you approach the
ball carrier.

5. Sprint to your "break point" and come to "balance". Keep

your shoulders square and maintain inside/in front position
on ball carrier/returner.

6. Punter must call out the direction of the kick-URIM/S.

7. If the retum man signals a fair catch, the first man down
should position himself to attack the nose of the return man,
being sure not to invade his 2 yard bubble. The remainder
of the coverage should come to a "balance" leverage
position in case of a possible fumble.

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8. In downing the ball, NEVER touch it and walk away. Stay
with the ball and hand it to the official.

9. If we are within the last 2 minutes of the game/half let the

clock run and do not down the ball. When the whistle
blows, pick the ball up and hand it to the official. Be alert
for a man picking up the ball and running with it.

10. First man down can take a shot at the returner which will
make him commit or possibly cause a fumble. Rest of the
coverage unit must break down and prepare to make
tackle.

11. In order to down the ball near the goal line, you must not let
any part of your body enter the end zone. This includes
carrying the ball or sliding into the end zone.

12. The key is net punting. Everyone must perform and

function properly to have a successful punt team.

a. Snapper/Punter-Great snap and get off (2.0

seconds) .
b. Punter-Hang time and distance

• c.
d.
e.
Gunners-Get off, sprint and cover
GITIW-Protection, coverage, tackling
FB-Recognition and communication