DEVELOPNG

AND COACHING
SPECIAL TEAMS
'oDoN'T SING IT, BRING IT!r'

FRED GTIIDICI

MENLO COLLEGE
SPECIAL TEAMS
COORDINATOR
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 PHILOSOPHY
YOU MUST PUT YOUR SIGNATUREON IT!
WHAT IS ON THE FIELD IS A RBFLECTIONI AS YOU AS COACH.
YOU ARE EITHER TEACHING IT OR ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN.

ACCOUNTABILITY: FIRST WITH THE COACH, THEN WITH THE PLAYER

OF EACHOTHER_ ONETEAM ONEHEARTBEAT

WE AREALL AN EXTENSION
PLAYFOREACHOTHER

Building Blocks
1. Maximize the CONCENTRATION of the players.
2. Build in INTENSITY.
3. FINISH everythingthey do.

Systemof Finish Through Practice

l. Get the plaverseyeson yoll.
2. Vicariousat practices
3. TeachingStartand Finish - You get what you ask.Tolerateand encourage.
4. You play the way you practice
5. UniversalResource- out work your opponents
6. Play Hard Enough,Long Enough!
7. ExpectationdrivesPerformance

Systemof SpecialTeams
L Have a shtick: Themefor eachunit
Themefor eachgame
2. Ilal'e expectations(Goals)for eachgame
3. Don't makesimplecomplex
4. Multiplicity /Flexibility
a. Don't haveone way to do anything.
b. Let the playertell you what he sees.
c. Give directionwithin the areaand receiveinput.

Mental Toughness
1. Playwell enoughto win or you don't
2. Samestandardof play anytime/ anlwhere!
3. Hall assto the ball everytime no matterwhat happens.
:1. Benchplayers("Know what'sgoingon") Work the game! Don't watchit!
5. Neverknow which play determines the outcome.
6. Reactionto bad play,penaltyor an official's call.
7. Stayawayfrom theNEGATIVES:"Don't", "Can't" etc.,.....
8. Stayawayfrom THREATS:"If you do that.......

Blocking Kicks:
1. Blocking an extrapoint is a differencemaker! (Make it important!)
2. Blocking a punt is a gamebreaker!(Make it a must!)

RUN FAKESAND GADGETS_ EARLY AND OFTENIN THE SEASON!

 SPECIAL TEAMS DEVELOPMENT
STARTS WITH THE HEAD COACH
A. TIME FOR MEETINGS.
B. TIME IN PRACTICES.
C. ALLOWS YOUR OWN SCHEMES.
D. USE,THE PLAYERS YOU WANT.
E. TOTAL COOPERATION FROM STAFF DURING PRACTICE & GAMES
IT'S NOT MY SPECIAL TEAMS! IT'S OURS
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

PLAYERS
A. STARTERS- who want to (no more than2 teams)
B. BACK-UPS- who haveto
C. ROLE PLAYERS ('teamsplayersonly)
D. SCOUTTEAM PLAYERS (will emergeastime goesduring the season)

MUSTS FOR SUCCESS

A. INSTALLATION SCFIEDULE& WEEKLY PRACTICE SCFIEDULE
B. PLAYBOOKS (detailed)
C. DEPTH CHARTS (aswell as scoutteam)
D. WEEKLY SCOUTINGREPORTS
E. GAME PLAN (includingsituationsduringgame)
F. MEETING TIME (install,weeklygameplan, gamereview,practicereview)
G. FILMING PRACTICE

PRACTICES
A. PRE,PRACTICE (SPECIALISTS,
INDIVIDUALORGROUP)
B. MID PRACTICE (SEEDAILYSCHEDULE)
C. POSTPRACTICE (SPECIALISTS,
INDIVIDUALORGROUP,
LONG SNAPPERS)
D. WALK THROUGH(ANYTIME)

COACHINIG
A. FLINDAMENTALS
B. PADSNOPADS
C. WHOLE- PART - WHOLE
D. KEEPIT SIMPLE!
E. DzuLLS(PERTAINTO TIIE GAME)
A. MUST BE ABLE TO TACKLE, STRIPAND RECOVER!
(IncludineKickers& Punters)
GAME DAY
A. PRE-GAMEWARM-UP:
SNAPPERS,KICKERS,HOLDERSandRETURNERSOUT 1 HOUR
AND 15MINUTESBEFOREKICKOFF

B. GAME TIME:
1. AREA ON SIDELINEWHERE'TEAMS GATHERON 3RDDOWN.
(Reminders)
2. TRAINERREPORTS ALL INJURIESTO 'TEAMSCOACHFIRST!
3. STARTERSAND BACK-UPSKNOW EACH OTHER
4. ONLY 'TEAMSCOACH,HEAD COACHOR TRAINERCAN PULL A
PLAYER OUT OF GAME.
5. KICKERS AND SNAPPERSSTAY WARMED UP DURING GAME.
6. EVERY PLAYER ON SIDELINEWORKSTFIEGAME
7. ENJOYTFIEGAME HAVE FUN!
8 DON'T SING IT! BRING IT!
SPECIAL TEAMS BASIC OUTLINE

KICK-OFF COVERAGETEAMS
OBJECTIVE
GIVE THE DEFENSEGOODFIELDPOSITIONBY KEEPINGTHE RECEIVING
TEAM INSIDE2O-YARDLINE (BLACK ZONE). CREATEQUICK TURNOVERS
AND INTIMIDATE THE OPPONENT.

SPECIALIST
A KICKER WHO KICKS THE BALL TO THE GOAL LINE FROM THE MIDDLE
OR EITHERHASHAND LOFTSIT HIGH (4.0SECONDS HANG TIME) TO DELAY
THE RETURN. THIS ALLOWS THE COVERAGETO GET DOWN THE FIELD. HE
MUST KEEPTHE KICK IN-BOTINDS.MAKE THE RETURNERMOVE TO GET
TO THE BALL.

TEAM
FAST,SURETACKLERSMOVING DOWN FIELD EVENLY SPACEDWITH A
BURNINGDESIRETO MAKE THE TACKLE.

PERSONAL
WEDGEBREAKERS:
LB,S,RB'S& SS
EDGERS& SAFETY:LB,S,RB'S,DB,S& WR'S
CONTAINERS,

ONSIDE KICK.OFF TEAM

OBJECTIVE
TO RECOVERA DELIBERATESHORTKICK. GAIN GREATFIELDPOSITION
FORTHE OFFENSE.

SPECIALISTS
KICKERTO DRIBBLEOR POOCHTHE BALL A LEGAL MINIMUM OF 10YARDS.

TEAM
SWARMTHE RECOVERYMAN AND GET THE BALL.
MUSTRECOVERALL KICKS.

PERSONAL
W R 'S .D B 'S .L B 'S& R B 'S
 KICK-OFF RETURN TEAM
OBJECTIVE
TO RETURNEVERYKICK OFFAT LEASTTO YOUROWN 30-35YARD LINE.

RETURNSPECIALISTS
FAST,HIGH COURAGEMEN WITH THE DESIRETO "THREAD THE NEEDLE''
THRU THE WEDGEAND FIND OPENFIELD.

TEAM
OPENFIELD BLOCKERSUP FRONTTHAT CAN RLINAND LOCK ON. MUST
HAVE HANDSFORSURPzuSE ON-SIDE.A BACK ROWWEDGETHAT CAN
BLOCKON THE RLTN.
THE ENDS,FULLBACK& WEDGESETTERMUST BE
ABLE TO CATCHSHORTKICKS.WEDGE,SETTERMUSTBE INTELLIGENT.
THE OFFRETURNSPECIALISTMUSTBE ABLE TO BLOCKMDM, SAFETY
OR KICKER

PERSONAL
FRONTLINE:RB,S,LB'S,DB,S(SAFETIES) AND BIG WR,S
: E 'S ,R B 'S& L B ,S
EN D S T
FB & WS :R B 'S& L B 'S
DEEPMEN:ANY SPEEDSTER WITH NO FEAR!

HANDSTEAM
OBJECTIVE
RECOVERTHE BALL. PROTECTTHE MAN WHO RECOVEREDIT.

SPECIALIST
QUICK,AGGRESSIVE,
HIGH COURAGEMEN WITH GOODHANDS.

TEAM
RECOVERYMAN FIELDSTHE BALL. ALL OTHERSPROTECTTHE
RECOVERYMAN BY BLOCKINGTHE OPPOSITE NUMBER. DEEPMAN
HANDLESALL KICKSTHAT TRAVELPASTFRONT2 LINES.

PERSONAL
WR 'S ,D B 'S ,R B 'S ,T E 'S& QB' S
 PUI{T TEAM
OBJECTIVE
GIVE THE DEFENSEGOODFIELDPOSTION,LESSTHAN 4 YARDSPER
RETURN.FORCEA FAIR CATCH. CAUSEA FUMBLE AND RECOVERIT.
DOWNTHE BALL INSIDETHE IOYARD LINE.

SPECIALIST
PUNTER:
I. CAN GETTHE PLINTOFFIN I.9 TO 2.1SECONDS.
2. GETSMOREHEIGHTTHAN DTSTANCE (4.3SECONDS HANG TrME)
3. CONSISTENTLY PLACESTHE BALL ON OR INSIDETHE IO-YARDLINE.
4. KICKSBESTLINDERPRESSURE INSIDEHIS OWN 2O-YARDLINE.
CENTER:
1. AN EXPLOSIVEACCURATESNAPEVERYTTME (.8 TO .9 SECONDS)
2. ABLE BLOCKAN ASSIGNEDAREA OR MAN IN EITHERDIRECTION.
(SPREADPLINT)

TEAM
SPEEDIS NECESSARY TO GETTO THE BALL CARRIER.
FRONT LINE PLAYERS:
1. BLOCKTILL BALL IS KICKED.
2. RELEASE_ GET OFFHOLDUP & GETTO LANDMARKS
3. COVER- SPREADTHE FrELD(I{EVERFOLLOWTHE SAMECOLOR)
4. COMETO BALANCEAND GANGTACKLETHE BALL CARRIER.
OUTSIDEHITMEN: (SPREAD)
I. RELEASEOFFTHE L.O.S.AGAINSTTHE JAMMERSTI OR 2 MEN)
2. OUT RTINJAMMERSAFTERRELEASE
3. SUREDEADLY TACKLERSON THE BALL CARRIER.
4. GOODJUDGEMENTOF BALLSINSIDE1OYARD LINE KEEPINGBALL
FROMGOINGINTO THE ENDZONE.
ENDS:(TITE)
I. CAN DOUBLEBUMPBLOCK2 RUSHE,RS

PERSONAL
THE MOSTDEPENDABLE TRUSTWORHY PLAYERSON THE TEAM WHO CAN
BLOCK,RELEASE,COVERAND TACKLE.
GUARDS/ TACKLES:LB,S,RB,S,TE,S,AndSS,s
WIN GSL: B 'S ,R B 'S ,D B ,S& W R,S
PERSONAL PROTECTOR: RB,S,LB,S,DB,S& WR,S
HITMENORENDS:WR'S& DB'S

FAKE OBJECTIVE
GETTHE FiRSTDOWNOR SCOREA TOUCHDOWN.

FAKE SPECIALIST
PERSONALPROTECTOR
AND PLNTERTHAT CAN RLINOR PASS.

TEAM
ALERTTO WHENAND WHY TO USETHISWEAPON.ALL ASSIGNMENTS
MUSTBE CARRIEDOUTFORIT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
 PUNT RETURN TEAM
RETURN OBJECTIVE
GIVE THE OFFENSEGOODFIELDPOSITION.TO RETURNEACHPTINTA
MINUMUM OF 10YARDS.NET 33 YARDSPERPL]NT.

RETURNSPECIALISTS
FEARLESS,QUICK AND SHIFTYPLINTRETURNERSWHO HAVE SURE
HANDS,WHO CAN MAKE TACKLERSMISSAND ABLE USETHEIRBLOCKERS
TO FIND THE OPENFIELD.

TEAM
FASTOPENFIELDBLOCKERSWHO CAN BLOCKMAN (HOLD.UP)OR ZONE
(WALL) USINGGOODJUDGEMENT NOT TO ILLEGALLYBLOCK.
ALSOALWAYS ALERTFORTHE FAKE. JAMMERS:MUSTBE ABLE TO HOLD
UP MAN ON THE L.O.SAND BLOCKHIM TNSPACE.

BLOCK OBJECTIVE
TO BLOCKTHE PTINT,GIVINGUS A TOUCHDOWNOR GOODFIELD
POSITION.

BLOCK SPECIALIST
EXPLOSryE,AGGRESSIVE
AND HAVE A KNACK AND A DESIREFOR
BLOCKTNGKTCKS.(BLOCK pOrNTUSUALLY9 TO 9 % YARDS)

TEAM
AN ALL OUT EFFORTBY BLOCKERSWHO ARE INTENTON BLOCKINGTHE
P{.tI.{T.

PERSONAL
FRONTLINEMEN:DB'S.WR,S.RB,S& LB,S
JAMMERS:DB'S & WR,S
 P.A.T./ FIELD GOAL TEAM
OBJECTIVE
1 P OIN T : P .A .T .
3 POiNTS: FiELD GOAL

SPECIALIST
3 MAN PARTNERSHIP
1. THE KICKER TO GETQUICKHEIGHT(TO AVOID THE BLOCK)
AND CONSISTENT ACCURACY(1.3SNAPTO KICK)
2. THE HOLDER WITH SUREHANDSAND QUICKABILITY TO
PLACETHE BALL.
3. THE CENTERWITH DEADLY ACCURACY.

TEAM
LINEMEN:SEETHE BALL SNAPPED,
TAKE PROPERSPLITSAND STEPS
KEEPOUTSIDEFOOTANCHORED, NO PENETRATION!
COVERALL LONGFIELDGOALS.

PERSONAL
CENTER,GUARDSTACKLES:OL & DL
TIGHTENDS:TE,S,RB,S,LB,S& DL (WITHELIGIBLE#'S)
W IN GSR
: B ,S L
, B 'S ,T E ,S& DB,S

FAKE OBJECTIVE
GETTHE FIRSTDOWN;SCOREA TOUCHDOWNOR 2 POINTSCORE.

FAKE SPECIALISTS
A HOLDERAND KICKER WITH RLINNINGAND PASSINGABILITY
TIGHT ENDSAND WINGSWITH GOODHANDS.

TEAM
DEDICATEDTO CARRYOUTPRE-ASSIGNED
RESPONSIBILITIES.
NO TIP-OFFS!
 P.A.T. / FIELD GOAL BLOCK TEAM
OBJECTIVE
1. TO BLOCKTHE FIELDGOALGIVINGUS A TOUCHDOWNOR GOODFIELD
POSITION.
2. TO BLOCKTHE P.A.T.FOR2 POINTSCOREAND MAKE THE OPPONENT
ATTEMPTA 2-POINTTRY ON THEIRNEXT SCORE.
3. PREVENTANY SUCCESSFUL FAKE.

BLOCK SPECIALIST
EXPLOSIVE,
AGGRESSIVEAND HAVE A KNACK AND A DESIREFOR
BLOCKINGKICKS.(JUMPERS,
SWIMMERS, CRASHERS AND SKINNERS)
(PRESSURE
INSIDEAND OUTSIDE)

TEAM
SOMEPLAYERSASSIGNEDFORFAKESAND THE RESTASSIGNEDTO
BLOCKTHE KICK.

PERSONAL
INTERIORLINEMEN:DL, OL & BIG LB,S
JUMPERS,SWIMMERS,CRASHERS AND SKINNERS:
DB,S& WR,S
COVERMEN:DB,S

P.A.T BLOCKS
THE TRUE TEST OF THE INTE|VSITY OF A FOOTBALL TEAM!
 SPECIAL TEAMS
SPECIAL SITUATIONS . TEAM
PUNT TEAM
. PLINTINGFROMTHE HASHMARKS
. PLTNTINGFROMTHE ENDZONE
. PUNTINGFROMTHE 45-50YARD LINE
O COVERINGTHE FAIR CATCH
. TAKING AN INTENTIONALSAFETY
. EXECUTINGFAKES

BLOCKED KICKS
. REACTIONTO A BLOCKEDKICKEDBEHINDTHE L.O.S.(ptINT,F.c. & p.A.T.)
. RE.ACTION
TO A BLOCKEDKICK THAT TRAVELSOVERL.O.S.GLTNT.F.G.& P.A.T.)

PUNT RETURN
. RECEIVTNGPLINTSDEEPIN OWN TERRITORY(10 YARD RULE)
. RUSHINGPLINTSWHEN OPPONENTIS BACKED UP TO HIS GOAL LINE
. PREVENTON PLINTDEFENSE- SAFEPLTNT
. RE,ACTING
TO FAKE PI.JNTS
. DEFENSINGTHE PUNT SWINGINGGATE AND SPLITGATE
. EXECUTINGGADGETS

KIC K OF F
. ONSTDE KICKOFF(MUST& SURPRISE)
. SQUIB,POOCH& SHORTKICKOFFS
. FREEKICK AFTERA SAFETYTKICKOFFOR PIINT)

KICKOFF RETURN
. ONSIDEKICKOFFRETURN(HANDSTEAM)
. SURPRISEONSIDEKICKOFF
O RETURNINGSQUIB.POOCH& SHORTKICKOFFS
. RECEIVINGA FREEKICK AFTERA SAFETY(KICKOFFOR PLINT)
. EXECUTINGGADGETS

P.A.T./ FTELDGOAL
. BAD SNAPON P,A.T.AND FIELDGOAL ATTEMPTSTFIRE)
. LINBAI,ANCEDLINE FIELDGOALS
. FASTFIELDGOAL (t{O TIMEOUTSWITH CLOCKRUNNING)
. EXECUTINGFAKES& GADGETS

P.A.T./ FIELD GOAL BLOCK

. FIELDGOALPREVENT
. DEFENSING BAD SNAPON P.A.T.AND FIELDGOAL ATTEMPTS(FIRE)
. DEFENSING FAKE P.A.T& FIELDGOALS
. FIELD GOAL RE,TURN
. DE,FENSING LTNBALANCED LINE FIELD GOALS
. DEFENSING THE P.A.T./ F.G.SWINGINGGATEAND SPLITGATE
 SPECIALTEAMS IN.SEASON
WEEKLY MEETING & PRACTICE
SCHEDULE
DAY EMPHASIS TIME
MONDAY
MEETING: GAME FILM REVIEW 30 minutes
PRACTICE: REVIEW / INSTALL / DzuLLS 20 minutes

TUESDAY
MEETING: GAME PLAN, PLINT / PR 20 minutes
TEAM KICK: PAT / FIELD GOAL / HURRY llP FG 5 minutes
PRACTICE: PLINT 10 minutes
PLINT RETURN 10minutes

WEDNE,SDAY
MEETING: PLrNT/ PR / KOR / KO 20 minutes
TEAM KICK: PAT / FG BLOCK IHIIRRY UP FG 5 minutes
PRACTICE,: PLrNT(BACKED UP) 10 minutes
KICK OFF RETURN 10 minutes

THURSDAY
MEETING: (ReviewWith EntireTeam) 20 minutes
TEAM KICK: FAKES& HIIRRY UP FG 5 minutes
PRACTICE: PLNT (POOCH& FAKES) 7 minutes
K.O.R.OR PLTNTRETURN 5 minutes
KICK-OFF 8 minutes

FzuDAY
PRACTICE: F'RIDAYSCzuPT 30 minutes
REVIEWWITH DEFENSEPLNT SAFE
RETURN& FG RETURN.SWINGINGGATE
AND SPLITGATEFORMATIONS.
MUST ONSIDE& HANDS

SATURDAY
WALK THRU: CALL OUT DEPTH CFIART 10 minutes
(includingrules& scenarios)
GAME TIME: DON'T SING IT! BRING IT!

SLNDAY DAY OFF

 MENLO FOOTBALL
FRIDAY SCRIPT
1. lst KrcKoFF RETURN TEAM 1+16)
2. ltt oFFEr\sE (-40)RUN A pLAy & scoRE
3. rtt P.A.T.TEAM (+3)
4. rtt KrcKoFF TEAM C3s)
5. ltt DEFENSE1+20)3RDDowN, HOLD THEM
6. rtt PUNT RETURN TEAM 1+25)
7. 2ndOFFENSEC20)3RD Dowf{, RUN A pLAy
8. ltt PUNT TEAM (-2s)
e. ltt oFFENSE(-3s)RUN 2 pr,Ays ro (+10)(cr,ocK RUNNTNG)
10.ttt FIELD GoAL TEAM 1+r0) (cr,ocK RUNNII\c)

HALFTIME

n. rtt KICKOFF TEAM (-35)

12.r't DEFENSE(-35)3'd& sHoRT (sHoRT vARDAGE)
13.rtt DEFENSE(-35)4t" DowN (puNT RETURN SAFE-DEFENSE)
rt. z"dDEFENSE(+20)(INTERCErT & scoRE)
rs. rtt OFFENSE (+3)(2 POINT PLAY)
16.lsr KrcKoFF (MUST oNSTDE) C3s)
r7.l't DEFENSE(-20)srops OFFENSEoN 3*o DowN
18.lsr PAT / FIELD GoAL BLocK (-15)
le. lsr HANDSTEAM 1++5)(UNSUREsHIFT To MUST)
20.rsr OFFENSE(+45)',VICTORY"