OUR TEAM HAS had a lot of success using a middle kickoff return and has scored 8 times in the last 7 years using it.
There are several reasons why we feel this middle-return philosophy benefits our return team.
O It provides great blocking angles at the point of attack.
O Our team occasionally likes to use the reverse and the 3, 4 and 5 players tend to stay home, causing mismatches in our favor.
O The quickest way from “Point A to the end zone” is a straight line and the middle return is based on that concept.
O When kick returners hit the hole hard up the middle, it often opens up at the last second.
DIAGRAM 1: Kickoff Middle Return.
If the kick-coverage team crosses, tell your players to block the man in their area. Remember to occasionally show a good reverse to keep the coverage people honest.
The following are the player’s blocking assignments for the middle return.
Center: Take the kicker and use the boxer technique the entire play.
Guards: Drop 5 yards from the left side and 6 yards from the right side and block 1. Help form a 3-man blocking wall on each side.
Tackles: Drop 9 yards from the left side and 10 yards from the right side and block 2. Help form a 3-man blocking wall on each side.
Fullbacks: Cross the left FB first and block the 3. Help form a 3-man blocking wall on each side.
Ends: Fill in the middle quickly and lead block the play upfield along with the back without the ball. Go fast and hard attacking anything from the inside out. Look to take out the safety-valve man.
Kicker Returner: Follows the three lead blockers up the middle and hits the hole hard. No hesitation.