Usc Trojans Special Teams: Punt Team Play Fast, Fierce and Finish
Usc Trojans Special Teams: Punt Team Play Fast, Fierce and Finish
Usc Trojans Special Teams: Punt Team Play Fast, Fierce and Finish
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNT TEAM
PLAY FAST, FIERCE AND
FINISH
Punt Team
The Punt Unit is made up of tough, strong minded,
and Self-Disciplined individuals capable of Executing
and Achieving events under difficult circumstances.
Objectives
1. 100% Operation and protection
2. Be under 2.10 seconds get off
3. No return over 10 yards
4. Create turnovers
5. Pin the opponent inside
the 20 yd. line
14. The line may adjust splits until they get a “set” call from the personal
protector. Anything after that is an illegal procedure. From tackle to tackle,
you are restricted. Ends and backs can move, but must be set 1 second
before the snap.
15. The center must wait at least 1 second after a “set” call before snapping the
ball. Vary your rhythm by looking up once, twice or even three times.
16. When downing a punt, the punting team player must control the ball until the
whistle blows. The receiving team may advance a touched ball if the whistle
has not been blown.
WE SET THE TEMPO!!!!
Huddle
We will huddle on the sideline with all the players who are not currently on the
field. Between 2nd and 3rd down you should be thinking about getting to the
ready area.
Always think ahead and anticipate situations. Know the depth chart!!
Sideline Call
Be alert for special situations that are game specific.
Directional punting will be called on the sideline.
Communication is the key for proper team execution.
On Field Operation
1. PP identify front.
2. PP identify protection responsibilities.
3. Guards, tackles, and wings will make the necessary calls.
4. PP gives a set call. (No more Moving or Flinching)
5. Snap.
6. Protect.
7. Cover and Tackle.
Time Elements
1. Center’s Snap-Snap to Hand – Get the ball back under 0.8 tenths of a
second.
2. Punter’s Touch to Toe – The punter should get the ball off under 1.3
seconds.
3. Elapsed Time-Snap to Foot – Total get away time must be under 2.10.
4. Hang Time – foot to catch: 40 Dst: 4.0
43 Dst: 4.3
48 Dst: 4.8
50 Dst: 5.0+
Special Situations
A. Punting inside own 5 yard line
• Reduce splits regardless of opponents’ alignment, realizing that the
punter is confined and is closer than the normal 15 yds. We must
maintain contact with the man until the ball is kicked.
• Alert Tight Punt
B. Taking a safety
• The punter will receive the ball and cover it with both arms while
running along the end line until he is about to be tackled, then step
back out of bounds. Maintain your blocks as long a possible
because coverage is not a factor.
C. Punting after a safety
• After a safety, we are allowed a free kick from the 20 yard line. We
will use our kickoff cover team with our same coverage principals.
D. Blocked Punt
• We must cover all blocked punts. If the ball does not cross the
LOS it can be advanced by either team.
E. Speed punt
• A call to stop a team from jets, pirates and stemming. This is a full
zone and the key is a fast snap.
Punt Protection Terms
Basic – A call made by the PP to identify a balanced 8 man front in the box.
Check – A call made by the PP to hold the snap and change the protection.
Connie – This is a call made by the PP to alert 7men in the box and a nose on
the center.
Jet – A call made by the gunners to wings to let them know they are
uncovered.
New York – This is a basic look and the center will block R4.
LA – This is a basic look and the center will block L4.
Looper – A call and technique used by the center & PP in basic look.
Naked – A throw to uncovered gunner with a jet. Game plan throw.
Pirate – A call made by the gunner and wings to alert a safety that is coming
down into the box from vice.
Rabbit – A call made by the PP to establish that he has a man “wherever he
goes”.
Red/Blue – These are zone calls to one side with man principles on the other.
Red is zone right with the center going right. Blue is zone left with the center
going left.
Recount – A call made by PP to change the count to a 8 man box.
Set – A call made by the PP to alert that we are ready for the snap.
NO MORE MOVEMENT OR CALLS!!
Silent Signal – A hand signal to alert the center of “set” in loud crowd.
Load – A call made by the PP for an 8 man Box overload.
2 Man – A call made by G-T-W to alert 2 man side. Guard is down, T/W
should be alert for twist.
Solid – G-T-W communication to alert 3 on 3.
Punt Protection Terms
Knife – Movement post snap where the outside rusher goes 1st while the
5 Yards
1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1
Depth
5 Yards
Wide
Scan Protection
Box
Squeeze Squeeze
Box
Box
Box
Solid
Solid
STANCE AND ALIGNMENT
1. Stance:
A. Everyone takes the stance immediately upon reaching the LOS.
B. Guards, Tackles, and Wings:
1) 2 Point Stance with outside foot back.
2) Feet are heel to toe
3) Shoulder with apart.
4) Toes are straight downfield.
5) Hands lightly on the thighs. (power clean position)
6) Eyes peek in at ball.
C. Gunners: 2 pt, Staggered Stance verse Single, Square stance vs.
Vice.
2. Alignment:
A. Guards = 6”
B. Tackles = 1 foot split
C. Wings = Inside foot to outside foot of tackle (arm length)
D. Gunners = On LOS Split rule
1. Middle of field- 1 yd outside the numbers
2. Either Hash – Into the boundary 4 yards outside the numbers
and to the field. Be 1 yd outside the numbers
E. Full back = Heels at 5 yds behind right guard. Never give a tell on
the snap
F. Punter = Heels 14 ½ yards, behind ball
Protection Techniques
B. Solid Technique
B. Technique used by G-T-W on either side vs. 3 man side.
C. Follow step rules and “Take A Picture” of the rush.
D. Aggressively strike you’re hand on the inside #. Take your man
off his block point path.
E. Rip and Run.
Individual Protection Responsibilities
3. If the man is head up gain depth and back off the LOS. When you
realize he has a three-way go, you cannot get beat inside. Gain a little
bit of depth straight back. Focus on a point right between his numbers.
Keep your weight back and head back. Don’t lunge on the punch. Be
firm.
C
4. If the man is outside, KICK-SLIDE with depth to put yourself in the best
position to cover him up. Punch through and release. Stay vertical and
widen your man. The wider he is aligned, the deeper you will kick slide.
Be aggressive on your punch.
C
PP Call Rules
SEND CENTER TO:
1. Least Dangerous #4
2. Widest #4
3. Load
4. Away From Twist
LIZ TO BIGGER PLAYER RIP TO BIGGER PLAYER
BIG FAST FAST BIG
3 4 4 3 4
3 4 3
c c
BASIC BASIC
LIZ TO WIDER PLAYER RIP TO WIDER PLAYER
3 4 4 3
3 4 4 3
c
c
BASIC
LIZ TO LOAD RIP TO LOAD
3 4 4 3 3 4 4 3
c c
LOAD
LOAD
LIZ AWAY FROM TWIST THREAT RIP AWAY FROM TWIST THREAT
4
4
3 4 3
3 4 3
c
c
C C
C. Searchlight:
1. Technique used by PP to block MDM.
2. Start attention at Vision Point. This is the area you anticipate a rush
possibility from your man.
3. Check anticipate rusher to right or left side. If none, searchlight.
4. NEVER BACK UP!
5. Take two-techniques used by PP to block his man and 2 nd man who
becomes MDM.
6. Shed and Run.
PP Search Light
Punt Protection
Tight Punt
A formation used to maximize protection in a certain situation, including
the end of a game/half or backed up.
• Assignment and counts remain the same.
• Gunners align 1 yard outside the tackle and block the 1 st threat on
the outside shoulder.
•Gunners have a quick block with a running release.
•Wings block who become opposite Gunners.
•Core has tighter splits and will stay firm. The most important thing is to
have no leakage.
•Communication 1st is very important. All must be on the same page.
•Protect 1st, then get into your running lanes.
11 Up Front
An identification system to account for an all out rush.
•This usually happens one time a game/Half at desperate times.
•We will call “danger” just like a 9 up look. Red/Blue is full zone.
•The punter is in 1 step get off mode.
•Center goes straight back and the PP protects the apex.
•Be ready for anything.
Zone Protection
We will use zone protection when the alignment or movement of the rush
team says that zone protection will make more sense.
Punt Protection
C 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 C
No Returner
c 1 2 3 4 R 4 3 2 1 c
Full Zone
1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1
2 Man Call
Zone
Red Call
Heavy Blue R
1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1
Blue Call
No Returner
1 2 3 4 R 4 3 2 1
Full Zone
Danger Call
1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1
Jet Call
Coaching Tips
•Crowd LOS vs. single. Cheat back vs. double.
•Work hands on snap without compromising speed and power.
•No stutters, no chest, get low and be strong and fast at POA.
•Take great angles.
•Force fair catches and tackle.
Sky Technique
•Get a good release and don’t let him hang on your hip.
•Clear and find the goal line and the returner on all REDZONE PUNTS.
•Attack with heels to goal line then back to ball
•Keep both feet out of the end zone.
•Catch it on the fly.
•Catch bounce at first opportunity, unless in control of roll.
•Smother.
•Run to goal line.
•If the ball is caught and returned, play the muff or tackle and strip it from
behind.
Gunner Release Techniques
SINGLE RELEASE
Speed
Stick
C C
VICE RELEASE
Stick
Speed
C
C
C C
C C
Coverage
Coverage is the most important thing we do once the ball is punted. Now switch
from an offensive protection team, to a defensive team that must fly around and
use TEAM LEVAGE to minimize return yards and win the field position battle.
Elements of our punt coverage:
1. Throw and Go
2. Release and RUN
3. Fan to lanes
4. Find your landmarks
5. Get on top – Stack your man
6. Locate the returner
7. Squeeze your leverage
8. Keep ball on inside shoulder
9. Pursue
10. Tackle
11. Punt converge is a team effort: It takes eleven people. If one man
lets up, it could be a TD or a long run - GANG TACKLE!
12. Recognize fair catch signal: breakdown anticipating a fumble.
When a fair catch is signaled inside the 10 yard line, assume it’s a
bluff. Protect the ball from bounding into the end zone. We can still
down it.
13. Locate the flight of the punt by seeing the eyes of the returner and
his movement and reaction. Do not roll your head back and eyes up
-- after keying the returner, get eyes up to see that the ball is up
and in front of you.
PUNT COVERAGE REMINDERS
TERMS TO KNOW
Throw and Go – Stay between the rusher and the block point. After
stopping momentum and re-directing him, throw and go to get on top.
Release – Accelerate across the LOS and fan out to establish width on the
field into the lanes. You can not pass the 2 yard until ball is punted.
Lanes – We establish lanes according to release progression. We cover
inside to out.
Landmarks – Are the basis for establishing width and separation.
Leverage – Locate the returner and run through a point, 15 yds in front of
the returner to a width designated by your lane.
Net – Squeeze and make the play with your teammates. Keep the ball
inside and to the front.
Pursuit + Tackle – Pursuit is an effort!! Tackling is athleticism and technique.
Wrap – A center picks for a guard in a hold up.
Switch – A 3 Man switch in lane coverage. 1st-wing 2nd-guard 3rd-tackle.
Gut – The guard and the tackle execute a pick in a hold up. Exchange
lanes.
Slam –The tackle and the wing execute a pick technique in a hold up.
Exchange lanes.
Sky – A call and technique for downing a punt inside the 20.
Throw Go – Technique used to get off a hold up during a return.
Landmarks – Areas on the field that we are assigned to cover as a unit
Leverage – Defines how we play together. Players playing together as one .
PUNT COVERAGE REMINDERS
TERMS TO KNOW
Crossface – A gunner’s technique to spill the returner.
Bleed – A game situation where we are trying to milk seconds off the
clock.
Kill –A game situation where we are trying to stop the clock as soon as
possible.
Coverage
Lanes
Lanes create spacing of our net coverage. Players G-T-W run vertically
with a 5 yard separation. Never following the same color. Know all three
lanes because you will play all of them.
1st Lane:
Landmark starts on the near upright and is squeezed to the returner.
2nd Lane:
Landmark starts a yard outside the near hash and squeeze to the
returner.
3rd Lane:
Landmark starts 6 yards outside hash in the alley and is squeezed to the
returner.
Wrap, Gut, Slam and Switch calls can be made to change Lane
responsibilities
Leverage
Leverage is the relationship established by each player on the returner so
that we can all play together and help each other. Coverage is a group
effort.
1st Lane is a 5 yard width from returner. The 1st net player must hold
heavy leverage on the inside number. The returner should never split the
two 1st lane players. Play like gunners and crossface
2nd Lane is 10 yard width from returner. The 2nd net players plays
leverage on outside the shoulder.
3rd Lane is 15 yards width from returner. The 3 rd net player plays contain
and is the edge of our net. Nothing should ever get outside of him. Be
ready to fold on the return away from you.
R
R
Net & Tackle
Leverage Landmarks
d
d
d
d
t
t
1s
1s
2n
2n
3r
3r
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
Personnel
•Gunners – Cross face and spill.
•Guards – 5 yard leverage and heavy leverage inside number of returner.
•Tackles – 10 yard leverage on outside shoulder of returner.
•Wings – 15 yard leverage and contain leverage, edge of our net.
•C + PP – Ball
•Punter - Safety
Hold Up / Release Change Ups
Wrap Left Center Pick Guard Wrap Right Guard Pick Center
1st 1st
Switch Left Tackle Now Contain Switch Right Tackle Now Contain
Directional Punting
Move one lane over to the direction of the punt