Southern Oregon Football

Angles and Drill work for Punt & PAT Blocking

Mike Hoskins Defensive Coordinator Southern Oregon University hoskinsm@sou.edu

SPECIAL TEAMS EMPHASIS

SPECIAL TEAMS Must be SPECIAL!!! SPECIAL FORCES Player of the Week!! Practice Special Teams at the BEGINNING OF PRACTICE!!! This sends a message. Minimum of 20 minutes per practice devoted to Special Teams. On Thursdays we spend 45 minutes on Special Teams!!!

RAIDER BLOCK UNIT

We have a very simple philosophy when it comes to returning punts We will block them rather than return them!! In the game of football there is no greater change of momentum then with a blocked punt!!!! Our Block Unit consists of the same personnel for all Blocks (Punt, FG, PAT). We call it our BLOCK UNIT never our return unit.

BASIC OPERATING PRINCIPLES

Pressure all Punts, PATs, FGs: never again wish you had a block called because of a bad snap, fumbled snap, or break down in protection. Too many things have to be right to get a return:
Good Snap and Perfect Punt: must be kicked in 2.1 sec. (snap = .8 sec. / punt = 1.3 sec) or we believe we will block the punt. Great timing in the wall No Penalties: Blocking below waist and clips.

Puts added pressure on Center and Punter. A BLOCKED PUNT IS THE GREATEST MOMENTUM BUILDER IN FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!

SELECTION OF PERSONNEL
DEPENDABILITY: Most important!! Natural ability to block a punt / kick: Coaching will not overcome instinct!!!!! SPEED: This is very important, but remember, your fastest player is not necessarily your best blocker. Use players who have a great desire to be on this team. It is obvious!!!!!!

TEACHING PROGRESSION
STANCE: 3 point sprinters stance variable with each player. ALIGNMENT: Based on Block Called. TECHNIQUE: Execution of each position.

CRITICAL COACHING POINTS

Everyone is tilted toward the Block Point.
Punt = 5 yards in front and 2 feet either side of punter may vary with each punter. PAT / FG = 3 feet in front of ball placement.

GET OFF Ability of player to accelerate off the LOS simultaneously with the snap: Centers routine, Hitch in snap, Finger pressure, Near Knee Movement.

CRITICAL COACHING POINTS

Scoop & Score off a Block Behind LOS
Exception would be on downs other than 4th in this case cover the ball.

Partially blocked kick that crosses the LOS will be our ball unless we muff or fumble and opponents recover. Make a PETER CALL. Peter means DONT PLAY WITH IT!!!! Run away from the ball!!!!

CRITICAL COACHING POINTS

The Player who Blocks the Punt / Kick must Block the Punter / Kicker. Punts: We Automatically return opposite the Block side if Block is not made. Set a wall. SCORE, SCORE, SCORE, SCORE, SCORE, SCORE off a Block!!!!!!!!!

4 DOS OF THE BLOCK UNIT

Do be ONSIDES!!!! Do be PENALTY FREE!!!! Do SCOOP AND SCORE A BLOCKED KICK: unless 3rd down or past the LOS!!!! Do CATCH THE BALL IN THE AIR!!!!

HOW TO BLOCK A KICK

Get to the BLOCK POINT SPRINT through the BLOCK POINT!!!! See the BALL from the SNAP. Block the Kick with the Hands directly off the Foot. EXPLODE your eyes to the Foot. Believe you are going to Block EVERY KICK!!! NEVER tell players not to rough the kicker (negative thought)!!!!!!!

HOW TO BLOCK A KICK

Explode out of Stance low and hard ACCELERATE: RUN BEHIND YOUR PADS!!! Straight Line Movement: Back on Track if widened. Know where the BLOCK POINT is and Block to that spot: You will not rough the kicker if you execute!!!!!

HOW TO BLOCK A KICK

Sprint through the BLOCK POINT: We will stay on our feet and accelerate. (Coaching Point: College vs HS). EYES OPEN SHOOT HANDS TO THE BALL: Take ball off Foot!!!!!!!!

LIZ / FIRE
VS SPREAD BLOCK POINT SCOOP

LC

LBLBRB E

RB

RC

SET WALL OPPOSITE

LIZ
VS SPREAD BLOCK POINT DELAYED SCOOP; CHECK WING

LC

LBLBRB E

RB

RC

SET WALL OPPOSITE

PURPLE / FIRE

K H
BLOCK POINT SCOOP

LB LB RB E LC

N T

RB R

RC

SAFETY - PLAY MOST DANGEROUS

PURPLE

K H
BLOCK POINT SCOOP

LB LB RB E LC

N T

RB R

RC

DRILLS
Note: Always use Center and Volleyball GET OFF: vs Air with Strip. Accelerate through block point. GET OFF: vs Air with Strip. Accelerate through block point and take ball of punters foot. Note: These 2 drills also help find personnel.

DRILLS
GET OFF: 1 on 1 to develop angle skills rip technique - back on track if widened. GET OFF: Line vs protections. BLOCK, SCOOP, SCORE: Blocker blocks ball Scooper scoops and scores. SET WALL DRILL: Begin from when ball is punted. Walk them into spacing first. We do not spend a lot of time at this.

DRILLS
TEAM: Work entire block as a team. Break it down into phases.
Team GET OFF. Team BLOCK Team WALL Put it all together