1. Punt Return/Punt
Block/Kick-Off Return
Vista Murrieta High School

2. Special Teams
• BIG PLAYS and Field Position
• 2010/2009/2008 - Varsity
• Punt- Average 43.5 yards, 36 Punts inside the 20, 5 TD’s
• Punt Return- 26 Blocked Kicks, 11TD’s Returns, average 19.8
yards per return
• Kick-Return- 6 TD’s, average 32.8 yards per return
• Kick-Off- 14.4 yards per return, average starting position 17.4
yard-line (23 stops inside the 10 yard-line)

3. Special Teams Philosophy
• Head Coach is Special Teams Coordinator
• Use All Coaches
• Best Athletes that are overachievers/Work Ethic Guys
• Find a Job for a 2nd or 3rd string/Find Players
• “It’s All About the Ball”- Get it and Protect It
• Attack/Look for Big Plays
• Teach One Thing and Do it Well (Except Block Schemes)

4. Special Teams Coaching Responsibility
Specailties Junior Varsity Kick-Off Junior Varsity Kick-Off Return Junior Varsity
Returners Hubarth Rt Contain,Rt 4 outside Nicholas Returner,Lead Through Hubarth
Punters Nicholas Rt Knives Nicholas/Daarstad Kick-Out #1, #2 Olson
Kicker/Holders Olson Post Players Daarstad The Wall- #3,#4,#5 Daarstad
Snappers Ruth Lt Knives Ruth/Daarstad Hook, Line, Spring Nicholas
Extras- Daarstad Lt Contain Lt 4 Outside Ruth Scout Ruth
Extras- Scout Hubarth
Blocks Daarstad Kicker Olson
D-Line Files
O-Line Mac
O-Line Mac
D-Line Files
Punt Junior Varsity Punt Return Junior Varsity PAT Junior Varsity
Snapper/RT Up/G Ruth Returner/Lead Through Hubarth Snapper Ruth
Lt Upback/G Daarstad Corners Hubarth Right G and T Mac
RT T , E Olson PL, #2, Olson Right End and Wing Daarstad
Lt T , E Daarstad #3, #4 Nicholas Left G and T Files
Punter/Personal Pro Nicholas Rushers #5,#6, #P Daarstad Left End and Wing Nicholas
Scout Hubarth Scout Ruth Holder and Kicker Olson
Timer Mac
QB QB Scout Hubarth
O-Line Mac O-Line Mac QB
D-Line Files D-Line Files

6. Special Teams Awards
• Awards
• 10 Ways to Win Ten Games
• Special Teams Board
• Animal Points
• Elite 11

7. Special Teams Practice
• Spring
• 2 Days of Each Special Team (15 Minutes Each Day)
• Coverage- Everyday (5 Minutes)
• Summer
• Nothing/2 Times at Team Camp
• Pre-Season (August)
• 25 Minutes- 2 Different Special Teams Each Day

8. Special Teams Practice
• Season – Junior Varsity
• PAT- Everyday
• Punt- Everyday
• Kick-Off-Everyday
• Punt Return- Everyday
• Kick-Off Return- Wednesday

9. Punt Return/Punt Block
Stats
• Blocked Kicks
• 2010- 6 Blocked Punts, 2 TD’s (3 Bad Snap Blocks)
• 2009- 10 Blocked Punts 2 TD’s (4 Bad Snap Blocks)
• 2008- 6 Blocked Punts 1 TD (3 Bad Snap Blocks)
• 2007- 3 Blocked Punts, 2TD’s
• Returns
• 2010-19 returns, 365 yards, 19.2 average, 3 TD’s
• 2009-18 returns, 281 yards, 15.6 average, 2 TD’s
• 2008-10 returns, 288 yards, 28.8 average, 1 TD
• 2007-17 returns, 231 yards, average 13.6, 1 TD

10. Punt Return/Punt Block
Philosophy
• Block Punts/ Field Punts
• Game Plan 3 Different Blocks for each week
• Run the Block one side/ Return other side
• Set-up Return Game Based on protection and
coverage

11. Punt Return-Alignment
Base
R
C LTh H4 C
R5 3 MR 2 PL RP
O O O X O O O
O O
O
P

12. Punt Return- Picket
PL- Picket Leader
#2- 2nd in the Picket
#3- 3rd in the Picket
H4- Hold-Up (maybe #4 in the Picket)
R5- Outside Rush/ 5th in the Picket
MR- Middle Rush/ 6th in the Picket
RP- Outside Rush/ On Punter
LTh- Lead Through
C- Corners (2) R- Returner

13. Punt Return- Assignments
• Picket Leader (PL)- PL in gages and drive the tackle backwards
for a count of 2 then says “GO”. The PL then runs at an angle to
the number “10 yard angle” (to the hash if on the other hash).
After getting to the numbers, he will run straight up the numbers
maintaining his width. Once the PR starts running towards the
sideline, the PL turns towards him and run the arch through his
inside shoulder looking for a big hit.
• Picket runners 2 and 3 will engage the man in front of them
until the PL says “GO” then they will get into the picket. Width is
is the most important teaching point. Do not be in a hurry to find
someone to block. They will come to you. Once the returner gets
8 yards from you, look inside and forward (Never Back, Penalty)
• Picket runner C4 is responsible for holding up the snapper for a
count of 4 then gets into the picket (More important to hold up
then get into the picket)

14. Punt Return- Assignments
• R5 and R6 will try to block the punt or make sure the punter
punts the ball. After the punt is gone, they will get into the
picket, again do not be in a hurry
• RP will try to block the punt or make sure the punter punts
the ball. After the punt is gone, he will run towards the return
side sideline keeping his eye on the punter. When the
returner get within 15 yards the RP will engage the punter.
• Corners- Press-Man or Loose Man ( Keep the gunner
outside the returner)

15. Punt Return- Assignments
• Lead Through (LT)- As soon as he knows it is not a fake, he will
turn and run towards the PR. The LT will wait 7 yards from the
PR and 5 yards to the side of the returner until he catches the
ball. LT will make sure the ball is catch without interference.
Once the ball is caught, make sure the returner gets to the
picket. He will turn towards the return side looking to kick-out the
contain man.
• Punt Return (PR)- Make sure the football is fielded. After
fielding the ball, get towards the sideline and outside of the
picket
• All Members of the Picket will follow 7 yards from the person in
front of them. Once the returner is 8 yards away from you, plant
the outside foot and come towards the middle of the field at a 45-
degree angle. Do not block anyone while running towards
the returner, it will be a penalty.

18. Punt Return- Drills
• Spring, Summer, August- Cone Drills
• All DB’s, LB’s, WR’s, RB’s- Learn Every Position
• Start with 4 Line 4 Cones (PL, 2, 3, 4 in Picket)
• Slowly add One Cone- One Position When Needed Until
all 11 Players are on the Field

19. Punt Return- Drills

20. Alignment- Base Block-
Block Rt/ Return Lt
R6 R5 3 MR H4 2 PL LTh
O O X O O
O O
O
P

21. Punt Block-Technique
• Blocking Punts- Find 1 to 3 guys that have the knack and work with them
everyday
• Block Point- 4 to 5 yards from where the punter is standing/ Changes each Week
• “Big Eyes”- Punts are blocked with the eyes first
• Run Straight Lines through the Block Point and the Backside Shoulder of the
Punter- No Curves or rounded steps
• Inside Leg Forward, Inside Arm Down at an angle
• Get Big Through the Block Point (Do not Jump, but ok to dive)
• “Attack the Foot”- Get your hands on the ball when it comes off the foot
• If you get blocked, Pause (Do not get width or in the path of another rusher),
and get into the picket

22. Punt Block- Drills
• 1 Step Drill-
• Jog-
• Come Free-
Full Run (Outside, Inside)
• Off the Block- (Outside/Inside)
Bag- Dip and Rip, Lean, Grab Grass (Towel)
Arc- Run the Arc
Bag/Towel/Arc
• Live

24. Punt Block- Return Game
• Each Game the Block and the Return Changes
• Every Punt Team Protection has a Weakness or/and a
weak player
• Finding the Weakness is the KEY!!!
Example
Block Right Twist, Return Left
The right side is running the block and the left side is
running the picket return (after the block attempt, all
blocker fit into the picket)

25. Punt Return-Ready List
• Little things that need to be taught. Fair catch,
Hot, Blocked punt, Reverse, 10 yard line, free kick

26. Video

27. Kick-Off Return Stats
• 2010- 18 Returns, 41.4 Average, 2 TD’s
• 2009- 13 Returns, 39.7 Average 3 TD’s
• 2008- 14 Returns, 24.8 Average 1 TD

28. Kick-Return Philosophy
• Get the Ball outside the 35
• Be able to return all deep kicks both directions

29. Kick-Off Return Rules
• Count from the side of the return across (do not count the K)
• Middle Returner Makes all Calls
• If kicked to opp. Side (Outside the Hash) return changes
sides.
• Returner must run 10 yards to the middle of the field before
making the break to the sidelines
• If kicked to the deep outside on the side of the return,
middle returner and side returner switch jobs

30. Kick-Off Return-
Assignments
• 3 Parts the Return
• “Wall” – Drop Step, Never take your eyes off your guy, Get Depth,
Run the Tube, Get to the Hash, Attack Inside Shoulder
• Double #3, #4, #5
• “Hook, Line, and Spring”-
Hook- Depth, get to the middle, turn inside. (Does not have to be a knock down
block) Do not let them cross-face,
Line- Take the correct line to wall off #7, does not have to be a knock down
block, Push them to the sidelines
Spring- Make #8 avoid away from the return, get to the opposite 40 yard line,
turn and wait, wait for the return to come to you, look to the endzone for the
TD block
• “The Diamond”- Kick-out, Lead Through, Run the Lane
Kick-Out #1 and #2
Backside Lead Through
Get to the middle for 10 yards, break to the side of the return (Open
up between hash and number)

32. Kick-Off Return- Drills
• Groups Technique (Spring/August)
• Group Live (August)
• Normal
• Short Kick, Rolling Kick, Outside Kick, Opposite
• Whole Team (Season)
• Practice
• Spring/August- 10 Minutes every Three Days
• Season- ONLY 5 MINUTES EACH WEEK

34. Kick-Off Return Ready List
• Little things- Fair catch, 10 yard rule, sideline rule,
reverse, onside, hands

35. Kick-Off Return Video