Here is a listing of punt team facts and objectives at East Texas Baptist University. Additionally included are coaching points on proper stance and protection, fundamental blocking techniques and coverage. Finally, coverage lanes responsibility – arguably the most important element of punt team execution – is included for all players.

Punt Team Facts

1. Arguably the most important of special teams units.
2. Greater impact on the game than any other unit.
3. Due to its importance, we will work on it “RELENTLESSLY”.
4. Success starts with correct selection of personnel.

OBJECTIVES

1. Never have a punt blocked.
2. Time from snap to punt must be 2.0 sec. or less (Snap less than 0.75 second, catch to kick less than 1.25 seconds).
3. Create the best field position for our defense.
4. Force a fair catch.
5. Keep opponents under 4 yards per return.
6. Net punting average of at least 35.5 yards.
7. No penalties.
8. Prevent the “Big Play”. Be aggressive and create takeaways.
STANCE

SNAPPER- Most comfortable for him.

GUARDS, TACKLES - Two-point stance bending at the hips, knees, and ankles with square shoulders. Hands should rest on thigh boards. Eyes are cut to the ball.

SLOTS – Two-point stance bending at the hips, knees, and ankles with square shoulders parallel to the LOS. Eyes cut to the outside foot of the tackle.

GUNNERS – Two-point stance with outside foot back.

PERSONAL PROTECTOR - Two-point stance with feet parallel to LOS. Elbows in and hands on thigh boards. Good bend in hips, knees, and ankles.

PUNTER - Most advantageous stance to get the ball off quickly with great height and distance.

KEYS

SNAPPER - Snap ball anytime after “Ready” call of cadence.

GUARDS, TACKLES, GUNNERS, PERSONAL PROTECTOR - Key the football.
SLOTS - Key foot of tackle.

PROTECTION PHASE

Man block the vertical rushers and zone block any twists and loops.
Blocking Assignments: Slots #1, Tackles #2, Guards #3, Snapper/Personal Protector #4’s.

    Immediately after the count, the PP gives the direction of the snapper. In case of an “overload”, the PP sends the snapper to #5 on the overload side and PP takes overload side #4. If “balanced”, the PP will vary from week-to week-which side he will send the snapper. If the #4’s differ in their distance from the snapper, the PP will send the snapper to the least dangerous man based on alignment or rushing ability. The guards and tackles must remember that the wider their man gets means more depth on slide steps (Diagram 1).

FUNDAMENTAL BLOCKING TECHNIQUES

Simultaneously:

1. Snap your eyes to the outside of your gap.

2. Post with your inside hand.

3. Execute two vertical slide steps keeping your shoulders over knees unless the man attacks you sooner. Typically, one slide for a vertical rusher and two for a twist or loop.

4. Shoot your hands “HOT”.

When shooting your hands “HOT”:

1. Widen base on contact.

2. Hips down.

3. Eyes at throat level.

4. Inside hand on inside #.

5.Outside hand on outside #.

6. Thumbs up.

7. Elbows in.

• Once hands are shot HOT, begin four-step redirect of the man you are blocking into your coverage lane.

•  A four-step redirect may turn into a nine-step redirect if you do not get a good fit. Get rid of your man after a solid redirect and sprint to cover the punt.

THE COUNT

1. Includes all players in the “BOX” (all at LB and DL depth). Exclude all corners and returners and count all others in the “BOX”.

2. Count the number of players right of the snapper first then the number to the left of the snapper. If any confusion, someone yell “Check-Check !”

COVERAGE  (Diagram 2)

1. Punter gives direction call.

2. Cover ball first and field second.

3. If you come off LOS and see a teammate cross in front of you, work to an open lane. NEVER follow teammate to the ball.

4. Sprint full speed with the ball inside and in front until you are 10 yards from the ball. You then come to balance and end up 5 yards from the ball.

5. If ball declares to you, be a force player and attack near thigh. If away, you are a fold player.

6. Work to keep the ball inside and in front of you. We want to surround the runner and squeeze his running space.

COVERAGE LANES

• Snapper, Gunners, and Personal Protector are ball coverage players and have no lanes. Guards, tackles, and slots are lane coverage players. G’s will be slow to cross the opposite hash while T’s and slots will be slow to cross the middle of the  field, and they will only squeeze while keeping the ball inside and in front.

• Everyone on punt team is a contain player, working to keep the ball inside and in front, no matter what his coverage responsibility is.

• Gunners - Execute proper release and sprint to the ball with outside in leverage attacking far knee of Punt Returner (PR).

• Snapper/Personal Protector - Execute block and sprint directly to ball splitting crotch of PR.
- These 4 players must force PR into East West direction.

• Guards - After  four step redirect, sprint to a position 2 to 3 yards outside and 5 yards from PR. Squeeze inside and do not let PR cross your face.

• Tackles - After  two step redirect, sprint to a position 10 yards outside of the guard. Squeeze with outside in leverage. You are a contain player.  The rest of all players must be inside you.

• Slots - After four step redirect, “FIT” between G and T. If ball is away, become a fold player (2nd wave linebacker).

• Punter - Perfect Kick. You are the SAFETY 15 yards behind the 2nd wave. Make the play.


About the Author: Dan Burk just completed his first season as both special teams coach and strength and conditioning coordinator at East Texas Baptist University. He previously was the head coach at Conroe Caney Creek High School (TX) and has been a high school head coach for 25 years. Burk’s overall record is 175-113-3. He has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s from Texas Tech.