KICKOFF RETURNERS can use the following drills to improve their catching technique. Drills both with and without a kicker are featured.

Drills With a Kicker
The best return catching drill is catching kickoffs directly from the kicker’s foot. The returner needs to get used to catching all kinds of kicks — therefore the kicker should give the returner the chance to catch deep kicks, short kicks, kicks in the corners and bloop kicks.

The returner also needs to practice catching kicks in all types of wind conditions:

O    Wind with the kicker.

O    Wind against the kicker.

O    Cross-wind kicks.

O    Inclement weather or swirling wind kicks.

This type of work helps the returner get a feel for what the ball will do in different wind conditions. Drills with a kicker provide game-like situations so that the return man can practice what he will see in a game.

Drills Without a Kicker

    Communication Drill.

In this drill, the two returners align as if receiving a kickoff.

DIAGRAM 1: Communication Drill. The coach throws a ball between the returners to simulate a kickoff coming between them. You can also use a Jugs machine to simulate the kickoff.

The returner in charge decides who should field the ball and makes the "Me, me, me" or "You, you, you" call.

This drill improves communication between the two returners.

    Squib Kick Drill.
In the squib kick drill, the coach stands 10 to 15 yards in front of the returner. The coach throws the ball into the ground simulating the unpredictable nature of a squib kick.
The returner stays square and in front of the ball while fielding the kick. Once he fields the kick, he tucks it away and goes straight up the field.  

    Angle-Kick Drill.
The angle-kick drill helps the returner practice getting square and in a good rocker-step position underneath a ball that’s kicked into a corner.

DIAGRAM 2: Angle-Kick Drill.

The kick returner lines up as usual and the coach simulates the kickoff to the corner. Again, you can also use a Jugs machine to simulate the kick.

The returner sprints over to the ball, gets square to the ball, makes the catch, and accelerates up the field.
In all drills, the returner should accelerate up the field at least 10 yards after catching each kickoff. This reinforces the habit of catching the ball and getting upfield with great speed.

    You must cover a number of situation with returners. The coach’s attention to detail when covering these situations will give the team the best chance to avoid critical errors when fielding punts or kickoffs.
Having solid fundamentals and a variety of performing drills to reinforce these skills are the keys to a successful return game.