14 Punt Team Tips & Reminders

The punt team is the most important team in football. The head coach always
sets the priorities for the punt team. When the head coach takes an active part
in the punt team, the entire team will understand the importance of this special
unit.
Here are find 14 punting unit tips and reminders that will give your punt team its
best shot at success.
1. Be ready. Watch for the punt alert on third down. Get set quickly.
2. Personal protector: Count heads to make sure only 11 players are on the
field. Set up 5 yards from the line of scrimmage except when the ball is inside
the 5-yard line. Never set up deeper than 2 yards in the end zone.
3. Execute good splits and stances. Gunners: Make sure you are on the line. Key
the ball and be careful not to jump early.
4. Guards, tackles and gunners: Helmets must break the plane of the
centers belt line.
5. Gunners: Come inside the numbers and then split out.
6. Wings: Contain except on a switch with a tackle.
7. Do not follow same color downfield.
8. Keep the ball inside and in front (shoulder force).
9. Respect the returners opportunity for a fair catch. Be in position to recover in
case the returner drops the ball. Even if the returner bobbles the ball, do not
make contact with him if he has called for a fair catch. Do not go after the
ball until it touches the ground.
10. Be ready to down the ball inside the 10 yard line.
11. When downing a punt, Pick it up off of the ground and do not allow any part
of the ball to come in contact with the goal line or break the plane of the goal
line.
12. Anyone on the punt team can catch and down the punt provided that no one
from the receiving team is in the vicinity trying to catch the ball.
13. Be aware of the clock. Always know the direction of the wind. At the end of
the first or third quarter, be prepared to use the clock to take advantage of
kicking with the wind.
14. Center and personal protector: know when the clock is inside two
minutes let the time run down before the snap. If the punt hits the ground,
let it roll and then cover it.