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Special Teams
Kickoffs You Can Count On
Derek A. Coach Wade

Syllabus
Why I like Kickoffs Basic Kickoff
Formations Responsibilities Player types
T-A-C-K-L-I-N-G!

Squibs vs. Kicking Deep

Syllabus
Onside Kicks
Traditional (3x7)
Making it more effective

The Mob Kick

Formation Responsibilities

Syllabus
Game Day Thoughts
When to squib When to kick deep When to onside kick Adjusting the game plan

Why I like Kicking Off

Not terribly complex
Were about to hand someone an ass-whoopin We just scored

I find both of these to be enjoyable.

Why I HATE Kicking Off

By rule, you must give the other team a chance to possess the ball. Coach Wades Rule:

Come and get it if you can!

Why I HATE Kicking Off

We must structure our kickoff to: Regain/retain possession Negate athletic advantages Attack the return scheme Trap the ball Prevent the momentum change of a big return

Basic Kickoffs
Three waves of coverage Gunners Lane tacklers Safety

Basic Kickoffs
Formation

Cover the field! Seven yard spacing.

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

1. Speed 2. Tackling Ability

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Should be excellent tacklers!

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Most disciplined players available

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Fastest players available

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Clinically insane

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Gunners - Straight to ball

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Gunners - Must make 1:3 tackles!

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Outside Contain - Eyes open!

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Lane Tacklers - Discipline

Basic Kickoffs
Responsibilities/athletes

Kicker - Kicking ability, tackling

Basic Kickoffs
Fit, Fill, and Force

Gunner Disrupts blocking Forces runner into other waves

Basic Kickoffs
Fit, Fill, and Force

Fill Breaks up blocking scheme Takes away running lanes

Basic Kickoffs
Fit, Fill, and Force

Force Maintains outside leverage Must be surest tacklers

Basic Kickoffs
Fit, Fill, and Force

Outside contain Nothing outside - ever! Pay attention

Basic Kickoffs

Basic Kickoffs

Basic Kickoffs
Fit, Fill, and Force

Fitting to the wedge Attack the gaps Get skinny Power through

Basic Kickoffs
Points of coverage
1- Stance/Start
Am I onside? How will I be blocked?

Basic Kickoffs
Points of coverage
2 - Scheme
Where is the ball? Where are my teammates? Who is trying to block me?

Basic Kickoffs
Points of coverage
3 - Piercing
Break the scheme Proper fit

Basic Kickoffs
Points of coverage
4 - Tackle
Breakdown Creep

Basic Kickoffs
Perfect 5

Squibs v. Deep Kicks

How do we set up our returns?
We spend weeks in research We spend days in evaluation of players We spend hours in practice

It is reasonable to assume our opponent does these things, too!

Squibs v. Deep Kicks

Kicking deep
Sets up the return Places the ball in the best athletes hands Puts him in the open field Puts a screen of blockers in front of him Outkicks the coverage

Squibs v. Deep Kicks

Squib kicks
Negate good athletes Reduce the effect of blocking schemes Pin the ball to the sideline Offer a chance of recovery Can be easily turned into a surprise onside kick

Squibs v. Deep Kicks

Coverage is closer to the returner

Squibs v. Deep Kicks

Returner is outside his screen

Seven tacklers have a shot at him! Get the bouncing ball!

Onside Kicking
Traditional

Onside Kicking
Traditional

Onside Kicking
Traditional

Onside Kicking
Traditional

Onside Kicking
Traditional

Onside Kicking
The Mob Squad

Onside Kicking
The Mob Squad

Onside Kicking
The Mob Squad

Onside Kicking
The Mob Squad

Game Day
When to squib
Default setting Opening kick Superior athletes Tricky returns Late in a close game

Game Day
When to kick deep
Return team up to the twenty or more You have athletic superiority Blowout win Coverage > Scheme

Game Day
When to onside kick
Early in the season against a weak opponent
Live fire training

Early in the game against a tough opponent Avoid kicking when expected

Kickoffs As A Weapon

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Kickoffs As A Weapon

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Kickoffs As A Weapon

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