Punt Philosophy (Part I)
By Jared Hottle, Special Teams and Wide Receivers Coach Dakota State University There are many punt formations used in football and most of them work. It is important to stay committed to whatever formations or philosophies you use and…
Crossing Paths with a Giant…..The Impact of Great People……Coach Arnsparger
23 years ago it was the summer of 1992. I was a first year head football coach at Paris High School (KY). My wife Stephanie and I had just been married that May. Our summer days were to get up…
“Flat Path” or “Swing/Bubble” Route On Zone Read?
The “Swing/Bubble” or the “Flat Path” route – which one is better to run out of a shotgun, 2 x 2 formation off of Zone Read? The Swing route, also known as the “Bubble” is the most used route for the…
Kicking Scrimmage – Practicing Special Teams, Third Down Offense, and The Free Kick
Years ago I heard now retired coach Wally Hood present a clinic on the kicking scrimmage. This special teams focused scrimmage format allowed a team to work all phases of the game, but gave emphasis and most reps to the…
Brick by Brick Approach to Kick Return Success
Anyone who has read some of my previous posts is aware that I approach my coaching, both in the kicking game and defensively, as a step-by-step, “building” process. Personally, my mind functions best in a sequential, chronological way, so I’m…
Simple Success with the Punt Return/Punt Block Unit
I am of the belief that nothing can create momentum (or lose momentum) quicker than a big play with your punt return unit. Whether it’s a blocked punt or a big return, a big play here can swing the pendulum…
Using the Punt Block/Return Team as a Weapon
Of all the ways to seize momentum in a football game, there are few things more devastating than a blocked punt. The field position swing that comes with a blocked punt drastically changes the expectations and the strategy of both…
Finding the Right Special Teams Personnel
It is continually said that special teams is 1/3 of the game, so much so that at this point it has become something of a cliché. Despite how coaches repeat it, we can easily forget just how impactfull special teams…
2-Ball Kickoff Coverage Drill
I used this drill for the first time earlier this season so I am still working out the kinks, but it has a lot of value for a few reasons: – it reps 2 kickers and 2 returners at…
SHIELD PAT/FG
The 2013 football season is upon us and it’s time for some pigskin! One thing I look forward too is the new and innovative schemes implemented by high school, college, and professional football teams. I have been somewhat considered a…