APPROXIMATELY ONE OUT of every five plays in a game deals with the kicking game.
In each kicking game play, three things occur that don’t always happen with offensive or defensive plays:
1. More area of the field is involved and thus there’s a greater potential for big plays.
2. There’s a change of ball possession.
3. A specific attempt to score or a high percentage opportunity for scoring points is involved.
Big Plays, Emotion, Preparation
Since the kicking game involves scoring opportunities, it has a very direct bearing on one of the intangible elements of a game — the emotion. Big plays create excitement and emotion in players and the crowd, which can greatly affect the outcome of a game.
To be successful as a kicking team, you’re going to have to give it the practice time and effort — mentally, physically and emotionally — that is given to the other elements of the game. Painstaking attention must be given to special teams. It’s just as important to be fundamentally sound in this area as in other areas.
Set Special Team’s Goals
You need to expect a lot from your special team players.
- Intensity. Your players must have it to be a member of the special teams unit.
- Pride. Within each special team unit that takes the field, your players must possess individual pride, as well as unit pride.
- Attention To Detail. Let no detail escape you or your players. Stress proper techniques, knowledge of kicking game rules, avoiding foolish penalties and assignment awareness.
- Effort, Hustle. The real difference between good and bad special teams units is in the second effort players put forth.
Big plays come from second effort!
- Toughness, Aggression. There’s absolutely no room for the faint of heart on your special teams. The greatest test of your players’ courage is covering punts or kickoffs at top speed. In no other area of the game is contact made with such impact.
- Poise. This comes about primarily as a result of the previous qualities. It takes preparation to build confidence and with confidence comes poise.
Game Breakers
Game-breaking plays are more apt to occur on special teams than in any other area of the game.
To create big plays and to prevent them from happening against your team, it’s going to take three consistent factors:
- Disciplined team play and no penalties.
- Proper application to technique.
- Second effort. Second effort will, many times, offset a breakdown in the other two factors.
Establishes Tempo
Each time one of your special teams takes the field, it’s an opportunity for your team to establish game tempo. A tempo that’s dictated by your team is a positive force that will help your team win.
Below is a list of game-breaking type plays that establish tempo in your team’s favor:
- Returning a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown.
- Blocking a PAT and returning it.
- Forcing and recovering a fumble.
- Blocking a punt or a field goal.
- Forcing a bad snap.
- Recovering an onside kickoff.
Special Team’s Season Goals
You need to set tangible goals for your special team’s units prior to the beginning of every season. These goals may change from year to year based on your personnel, schedule, etc.
Write down all your special team goals and post them in the locker room. Keep a running tally after each game so that all your players can see how they are progressing toward reaching their goals.
Editor’s Note: To see complete examples of coach Mann’s special team’s goal charts, check out the Gridiron Strategies Web site at www.gridironstrategies.com and double click on the “Feature Articles” icon.