All coaches know that special teams are an essential part to every successful game plan and victory. In a matter of seconds a team can win or lose a big game with their special teams on the field. We have all been part of a kick, block, or return that has either won or lost a game. The difference between being on the winning end or losing end is preparation, organization, and most importantly, competitiveness.
Coaches always battle the hour glass, and this is especially true when working with the kicking game. How much practice time do we have? What kind of personnel can we use? When can we get our film work in? How do we set up scout teams? Will our second team get reps? What are the weather conditions on game day? These are all important questions when working with the special teams. However, we feel that there is one question that is vital to success in the kicking game and that is, “How do we instill competitiveness and game-like situations for every special team practice period?” Here are two drills that demand competitiveness.
Knockout Drill
We use the Knockout Drill for any player associated with the kickoff team or any player wanting to become a part of the kickoff team. There is a weekly “try out” to be on our kickoff team. Any player can earn a spot or lose a spot based on his performance in this drill. The staff records the winner of each rep during this drill. The ten guys with the most wins throughout the week have earned the right to be called our kickoff team. You wouldn’t believe the amount of competition and personal pride that this drill invokes. We use this drill at least once a week. Diagram 1 shows the set up.
The drill starts with three lines of ten players on the sideline. The staff places three shields or dummies on the field. We place one shield on each hash and one in the middle of the field. At each bag there is a player who will turn one way or the other when the runner gets to within five yards. The runner must rip to the hind end of the blocker while staying as skinny as possible and returning to his lane. After ripping through three blockers, he will come to balance and make a solid 45-degree tackle on the returner. This is a rapid-fire drill and we get as many reps as possible. The most important part of this drill is to record winners, and then post the results in the locker room and meeting rooms. By doing this drill you are instilling competitiveness into your kickoff team.
Bandit Drill
We use our Bandit Drill for our punt block team or anyone wanting to become a part of our punt block team. This drill serves as our weekly “try out” for our punt block team. Diagram 2 shows the set up for the drill.
The punt blockers will get into their 3-point sprinter’s stance. On the center’s movement, the player will go block the punt. One coach will record the time it takes the player to block the punt. Another coach is standing at the punter’s depth with either a deflated football or a soft football on the end of a broomstick simulating a punt. We try to simulate the correct timing and depth of the punter we are facing that week. Underneath the “block zone” we have a pad so the players can sell out for the block. It is important for the players to get blocks from all different angles and alignments. All times are recorded and posted. This is just another way we coach competitiveness in all areas of our special teams. We coach competitiveness in everything we do at Adrian College. We hope you have picked up something you can use.
About the author: Tyler Haines is the Pffensive Coordinator and Special Teams Coach at Adrian College. He previously coached both linebackers and special teams at Adrian. Haines played at Defiance College where he was an All-Conference linebacker.