PUNT 2021

2021 SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNT

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PUNT KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL COVERAGE:
1. ATTITUDE. “This GROUP is on a Mission!”
PUNT RULES 2. EFFORT. “No one will get to the punter and I
• NOTHING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE
will be the first one down the field!”
FIELD! 3. TOUGHNESS. “I will be Nasty and Physical!”
• ALL PUNTS OUTSIDE THE NEAR HASH, 4. DISCIPLINE. “I will sell out to get to the ball!”
5. DESIRE. “No one will stop me from making
COFFIN CORNER OR OOB
this play!”
TARGET OPERATION TIMES: 6. MOJO. “A big play here can turn this game

SNAP-TO-PUNT: < 2.1 SECONDS around at any moment!”
7. COURAGE. “I may be afraid, but I’m going to
SNAP: < .90 SECONDS
PUNTER: HAND-TO-FOOT: < 1.2 SECONDS go 100% anyway!”

2020 GOALS & BENCHMARKS
• 35 Yard NET Average

• Track “Hidden Yards” +/- 35 yard NET
• Goal: 100 per game on ALL S/T combined

NEW in 2021:
• “ROCKET” RUGBY ROLL RIGHT
• “RED” PUNT -- MAYBE

GET TO KNOW OUR PUNT SCHEME. . .

The LOCO Punt:
• Spreads out the Punt Block/Return team, much like the Shield Punt, but, by taking a

member of the 3 man Shield out and replacing him with an eligible receiver at a WB spot,
it

• Gets another top athlete on the field
• Gets another athlete in coverage
• Creates better fake opportunities, which in turn creates less pressure on the P
• We take advantage of our Punter’s athleticism and ability to throw the ball on fakes

To take full advantage of all we can do out of this formation, 2 things must be present:
1. We must COMMIT to showing at least one fake out of it early in the season
2. We must COMMIT to viewing the fake options as an extension of our 4th down
offense

BASIC PUNT PERSONNEL

Getting the RIGHT players in each position is vital to our success.
We must be able to match skill-set requirements with skill-sets possessed by each player

GUNNER OT LS OT GUNNER

GUNNERS OG OG LOCO
SAFETIES/BIG CB’S/PHYSICAL WR’S
MUST RUN / OPEN FIELD TACKLE / CATCH OG/OT WB/”LOCO” BACK
ELIGIBLE JERSEY #’S LB’S / TE’S / DE / S’S OUR BEST OVERALL ATHLETES

SIZE/SPEED SPEED & ELUSIVENESS
MUST BE ABLE TO STALK-TYPE BLOCK GREAT HANDS

MUST BE SURE TACKLER ELIGIBLE JERSEY #’S
DISCIPLINED TO STAY IN LANE, THEN CLOSE ABILITY TO OPEN FIELD TACKLE

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

2 MAN SHIELD
FB/LB TYPES

SIZE/STRENGTH/SPEED
ELIGIBLE JERSEY #’S
ATHLETIC

SMART – WILL CALL THE PROTECTIONS
AND FAKES

PUNTER

BASIC PUNT “QUICK HUDDLE”

NOTE: WATCH THE CLOCK! WITH A HUDDLE AND POSSIBLE MOTION
ACROSS THE FORMATION WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF TIMING

LS

5
YARDS

OT OG OG OT

GUNNER LEFT RIGHT LOCO GUNNER
SHIELD SHIELD

P

BASIC PUNT FORMATION

The WB is called the “LOCO” back; he will ALWAYS align to the WIDE side of the field and this
is AUTOMATIC, no need to call it.

Ball in the MIDDLE? LOCO aligns to OUR SIDELINE side.

SPLITS: LET’S START AT 2 YDS BUT BE OPEN TO WIDENING OUT TO 3 YARDS WITH THE OT’S

OT 2 YARDS OG LS 2 YARDS OG

GUNNER 2 YARDS 2 YARDS OT GUNNER

3 YARDS 3 YARDS LOCO

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

P

14 YARDS

“ZIP MOTION”

WITH “ZIP” MOTION, TWO THINGS MUST OCCUR:
1 à LOCO STEPS UP ON THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE; THEN AFTER HE IS SET,
2 à THE GUNNER ON THE LOCO/WIDE SIDE MOTIONS ACROSS THE FORMATION; THIS IS A
SUDDEN, FULL-SPEED SPRINT!!! SOMETIMES WE RE-SET YOU; OTHER TIMES WE SNAP DURING
THE MOTION

GUNNER OT LS OT LOCO GUNNER

OG OG 1 LOCO 2

GUNNER

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

P

14 YARDS

TIGHT PUNT FORMATION

We SHIFT the GUNNERS in TIGHT to widen the edge; the WB goes to the BIGGEST THREAT side.

SHIFT IN GUNNER 1 YARD OT 1 YARD OG 1 YARD LS1 YARD OG 1 YARD OT 1 YARD GUNNER SHIFT IN
TIGHT TIGHT
GUNNER GUNNER

3 YARDS 3 YARDS LOCO

LEFT RIGHT TO #1
SHIELD SHIELD THREAT

SIDE

P

14 YARDS

“SPREAD” PUNT

• “SPREAD” = LEFT SHIELD & LOCO SHIFT OUT HALFWAY BETWEEN GUNNERS & OUR TACKLES
• MUST ALIGN OFF THE BALL!
• THIS IS IMPORTANT SO ALL 4 PLAYERS SPLIT WIDE ARE ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS

• OL BLOCKING CHANGES TO INSIDE PROTECTION, WITH RIGHT SHIELD GETTING FIRST DANGEROUS RUSHER
• PUNTER à BE ALERT FOR UNCOVERED RECEIVERS

GUNNER OT OG LS OT GUNNER
OG LOCO

LEFT LOCO
SHIELD

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

P

BASIC PUNT PROTECTIONS

WE WILL GAP PROTECT, NOT MAN

OT OG LS OG

GUNNER OT GUNNER
LOCO

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

OLINE PROTECTION RULES: P

-- Our base protection is GAP/ZONE protection

-- OL will have INSIDE (ANCHOR) foot BACK
-- Shield will count the # of block threats on each
side of the LS

-- 3 or 4 is fine! Easy to handle!
-- 5+ on one side = OVERLOAD and LOCK

àShield SLIDES over one full gap to overload side;
à“Short” side now blocks MAN with INSIDE à
OUTSIDE rule

OVERLOAD PUNT PROTECTION

OVERLOAD SIDE: “NORMAL”
BACK SIDE: MAN, INSIDE

OT OG LS OG

GUNNER OT GUNNER

LOCO

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

OLINE PROTECTION RULES: P

-- Our base protection is GAP/ZONE protection

-- Shield will count the # block threats on each side
of the LS

-- 3 or 4 is fine! Easy to handle!

-- 5+ on one side = OVERLOAD and LOCK
àShield SLIDES over one full gap to overload side;

à“Short” side now blocks MAN with
INSIDE à OUTSIDE rule

à The punter has the OPTION of pulling 1 or both

GUNNERS into protection, too

LOCO COVERAGE RESPONSIBILITIES

RULE 1: WE PUNT TO THE SHORT SIDE, AWAY FROM THE LOCO
RULE 2: KEEP BALL INSIDE & IN FRONT OF YOU;

RET

GUNNER OT OG LS OG OT

PUNT-SIDE GO & ATTACK GUNNER
GO & ATTACK
THE BALL! AWAY-SIDE
THE BALL! GO & ATTACK
KEEP IT INSIDE/IN KEEP IT INSIDE/IN LOCO
THE BALL!
FRONT FRONT GO & ATTACK KEEP IT
AT ALL TIMES THE BALL!
AT ALL TIMES KEEP IT INSIDE/IN FRONT
AT ALL TIMES
LEFT RIGHT

SHIELD SHIELD

PUNT-SIDE CONTAIN

OUTSIDE OF TACKLE AWAY-SIDE SAFETY; INSIDE/IN FRONT
DO NOT CROSS THE
AT ALL TIMES
P HASH; SQUEEZE
RETURNER BACK
INSIDE
½ FIELD / SAFETY

STAY “ON TOP” OF

THE RETURNER

OUR 2-MAN “SHIELD” RULES
• ALIGN WITH HEELS AT 3 YARDS, PROTECTING THE “A” GAPS OR ANY LEAKAGE

• 2 POINT, SHOULDER WIDTH STANCE; HANDS ON THIGHS; HEAD UP, SCANNING
• CALL PROTECTION TO YOUR SIDE! KNOW “YOUR” UNBLOCKED GUYS!
• “YOU ARE ON A CLIFF!” DO NOT, EVER, BACK UP
• DO NOT STRIKE THE RUSHER UNTIL YOU CAN SMELL HIS BREATH!
o Never lunge; blocking too soon will create vertical space to block the punt
• Smart teams will try to use TWISTS/STUNTS to confuse you; you are ZONE

BLOCKING; Just deal with the rusher who comes into YOUR zone/Gap. Period.

COVERAGE RULES/NOTES

-- WE COVER FULL SPEED EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. AS FAST AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY GO!
-- Never “follow color” & Stay 5x5 from the next guy.
-- Is your blocker OFF the LOS? RUN RIGHT AT HIM and make a move, the RESTACK ON HIM IMMEDIATELY!

BY POSITION, AFTER YOU PROTECT…

• LS GO! Force the PR to make a decision; in SOME cases you may be told to help block an A-Gap by the Shield

• GUNNERS GO! ATTACK! MAKE THE PLAY!! EVADE & AVOID ALL BLOCKERS, KEEING PR ON YOUR INSIDE

• G/T FAN out, maintaining your lane integrity; ATTACK! MAKE THE PLAY! Remember: Keep ball INSIDE and IN of you at

all times; SQUEEZE PR back inside;

• LOCO GO! ATTACK! MAKE THE PLAY!! EVADE & AVOID ALL BLOCKERS, KEEING PR ON YOUR INSIDE

• SHIELD AWAY-SIDEà FAN OUT, outside of our T’s; you have OUTSIDE CONTAIN and COVER responsibilities; DO NOT CROSS
THE HASH
PUNT-SIDE à YOU ARE THE SIDELINE CONTAIN SAFETY; DO NOT LET THE RETURNER GET UP THE SIDELINE

• PUNTER You are a SAFETY, and you are to drift to the punt-side gaining ground, staying exactly head-up on the returner at all
times

ROCKET FULL SPEED
RACE TO
RUGBY ROLL (RIGHT) THE BALL

• WHEN: WE WILL USE THIS PUNTING ON A SHORTER FIELD (FROM THE 50-IN)

• NOTE POSITION OF ALIGNMENT AND BALL IN RELATION TO THE HASHMARKS AND NUMBERS

• PUNT THE BALL “TO” THE GUNNERS DOWN THE NUMBERS

• GUNNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DOWNING THE BALL OR CATCHING IT IN THE AIR

LOCO OT OG LS OG OT

GUNNER GUNNER

GUNNER

LOCO

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

PUNT WHEN PRESSURED

P

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2 KEY READS TO DETERMINE VIABILITY OF OUR FAKE PUNT(S)

1) How does our opponent cover/treat our WB? GUNNERS? SHIELD? (All ELIGIBLE
receivers)
a) Are there any UNCOVERED?

2) How does our opponent respond to our GUNNER MOTION across the formation?
a) Travel with him?
b) Roll the coverage to the motion?
c) No response?

FAKE PUNT
“LETTUCE” – MIDDLE TRAP

WHEN: VS STRONG EDGE/OUTSIDE PRESSURES & < 5 YARDS TO GO

GUNNER OT LS GUNNER

OG OG OT LOCO

GUNNER

LEFT RIGHT LOCO
SHIELD SHIELD

EXECUTION:
• DIRECT SNAP TO STRONG SIDE SHIELD
• PUNTER IS “ACADEMY AWARD” WINNER FAKING BAD

SNAP OVER HIS HEAD

• LS BLOCKS DOWN ON STRONG-A-GAP DEFENDER
• WEAK GUARD PICKS UP FIRST LB
• STRONG GUARD PULLS/TRAPS WEAK-A-GAP-DEFENDER

P • “OTHER” SHIELD ATTACKS AND DOUBLES WEAK-A-GAP
DEFENDER

FAKE PUNT à ZIP TIGHT “BLUFF”

(Can also combine with Zip Tight Dive as a “CHOICE” call)

WHEN: TO DRAW A TEAM OFFSIDES; 4TH & < 5 YARDS TO GO;
INSIDE THE 50

GUNNER GUNNER OT LS OT LOCO GUNNER

OG OG GUNNER

LEFT P LOCO
SHIELD RIGHT
SHIELD

EXECUTION:
• ON “ZIP”
• GUNNERS AND LOCO EXECUTE NORMAL “ZIP TIGHT” LS RS
P
• LEFT SHIELD BURSTS UNDER CENTER AS IF THE QB

• RIGHT SHIELD BURSTS IN RIGHT “A-GAP”, 3-POINT
STANCE, AT THE HEELS OF THE QB

• PUNTER BURSTS UNDER CENTER AS QB
• P/QB MAKES SURE EVERYONE IS SET AND USES SHARP,
LOUD CADENCE TO DRAW DEFENSE OFFSIDES

• THERE IS NO SNAP! WE ARE EITHER DRAWING THEM
OFFSIDES, TAKING A DELAY OF GAME, OR CALLING A
TIMEOUT

• KEY: SUDDENNESS OF OUR ZIPS AND CADENCE

FAKE PUNT à ZIP TIGHT “GOOSE”

(Can also combine with Zip Tight BLUFF as a “CHOICE” call)

WHEN: TO DRAW A TEAM OFFSIDES; 4TH & < 5 YARDS TO GO

GUNNER OT OG LS OG OT LOCO GUNNER

GUNNER GUNNER

EXECUTION: LEFT P LOCO
• ON “ZIP” SHIELD RIGHT
• GUNNERS AND LOCO EXECUTE NORMAL “ZIP SHIELD

TIGHT”

• LEFT SHIELD BURSTS UNDER CENTER AS IF THE QB LS RS
• RIGHT SHIELD BURSTS IN RIGHT “A-GAP”, 3-POINT

STANCE, AT THE HEELS OF THE QB Progressions out of this:
• PUNTER BURSTS UNDER CENTER AS QB • Naked Boot the QB off this
• QB MAKES SURE EVERYONE IS SET AND USES • Option (Speed/Triple)
• Boot Pass
SHARP, LOUD CADENCE TO DRAW DEFENSE
OFFSIDES…PAUSES…THEN GOOSES CENTER FOR
SNAP AND SNEAKS IT WITH WEDGE BLOCKING UP
FRONT

• KEY: SUDDENNESS OF OUR ZIPS AND CADENCE P
• NOTE: TO PREVENT AN ILLEGAL SHIFT/MOTION

PENALTY, EVERYONE MUST BE SET FOR AT LEAST A
SECOND BEFORE THE SNAP

FAKE PUNT 2
“PATRIOT” (PASS; NO ZIP)
5 YARD OUT 1
WHEN: IF WB IS UNCOVEREDL OR IF WB HAS CLEAR
AND DRASTIC MISMATCH (I.E., DL COVERING HIM

OT OG LS OG OT
LOCO
GUNNER GUNNER

EXECUTION: LEFT RIGHT
• SNAP TO PUNTER WHO ROLLS TO WB SIDE SHIELD SHIELD
• OL ZONE BLOCKS TO WB SIDE AND CANNOT GO

DOWNFIELD
• SHIELD ROLLS TO PROTECT PUNTER/PASSER
• PUNTER MUST READ THE JAMMER;

• IF HE STAYS WITH THE GUNNER, HIT THE
WB/LOCO

• IF HE PICKS UP THE WB/LOCO, HIT THE
GUNNER IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE RETURNER
JUMPS HIM

P

FAKE PUNT 1
“PATRIOT ZIP” (PASS)
READ

OT OG LS OG OT LOCO
LOCO
GUNNER

GUNNER GUNNER

2 LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

EXECUTION: P

• SNAP TO PUNTER WHO ROLLS TO WB SIDE
• OL ZONE BLOCKS TO WB SIDE AND CANNOT GO DOWNFIELD
• SHIELD ROLLS TO SIDE AWAY FROM THE MOTION JAMMER
• PUNTER MUST READ THE JAMMER;

• IF HE STAYS WITH THE GUNNER, HIT THE WB/LOCO
• IF HE STAYS HOME, HIT ONE OF THE GUNNERS

FAKE PUNT
“RAIDER ZIP (POWER) STRONG”

WHEN: IF JAMMER TRAVELS WITH GUNNER MOTION ACROSS FORMATION

OT OG LS OG OT LOCO GUNNER
LOCO
GUNNER

GUNNER

EXECUTION: LEFT RIGHT
• SNAP TO PUNTER SHIELD SHIELD
• SHIELD PLAYERS ARE LEAD BLOCKERS AT THE EDGE
• EVERYONE ZONE BLOCKS TO THE FORMATION SIDE
• P SPRINTS TO THE HASH, THEN GETS IMMEDIATELY

UPFIELD

P

FAKE PUNT VS RAMPART
“RAIDER ZIP (POWER) STRONG”

OT OG LS OG OT LOCO GUNNER

GUNNER

GUNNER

LEFT RIGHT LOCO
SHIELD SHIELD

P

FAKE PUNT
“RAIDER ZIP (POWER) WEAK”

WHEN: IF JAMMER DOES NOT TRAVEL WITH GUNNER MOTION ACROSS FORMATION

GUNNER OT LS GUNNER

GUNNER OG OG OT LOCO

LEFT RIGHT LOCO
SHIELD SHIELD

EXECUTION:
• SNAP TO PUNTER
• SHIELD PLAYERS ARE LEAD BLOCKERS AT THE EDGE
• MOTION GUNNER DOUBLETEAMS WITH OT ON EMOL
• WEAK SIDE GUNNER CRACKS 1ST DEFENDER INSIDE
• EVERYONE ZONE BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE FORMATION

SIDE

P • P SPRINTS TO THE HASH, THEN GETS IMMEDIATELY
UPFIELD

“SPREAD ZIP” PUNT à “HOT”

IF NO UNCOVERED RECEIVER…PUNT IT

UNCOVERED?

GUNNER OT OG LS OT GUNNER
OG LOCO

LEFT LOCO
SHIELD

LEFT RIGHT
SHIELD SHIELD

P

“TROJAN” IS OUR
QUICK-KICK WEAPON.

WE RUN THIS OUT OF OUR “32 DIAMOND” QUICK-KICK

SET SO WE GET A FULL BOX, WITH AS MANY
DEFENDERS AS POSSIBLE CLOSE TO THE
L.O.S. TO PLAY RUN

TE LT LG C RG RT TE

Q

TB TB
P

NOTES: 1) QB MOTIONS OUT TO WIDE SIDE AND YOU ARE A BACK-SIDE SAFETY ON THE HASH; 2) DIRECT-SNAP TO DEEP BACK
(PUNTER); 3) PUNTER TURN YOUR BODY AND PUNT TO SHORT SIDE, AIMING AT THE BACK ENDZONE PYLON WITH A HARD
LINE DRIVE – DRIVE THE BALL; 4) OL ZONE BLOCK TO SHORT SIDE; KEEP GOOD SPACING, KEEP THE BALL INSIDE & IN FRONT
OF YOU AND SPRINT INTO COVERAGE; 5) TB’S ARE CONTAIN OUTSIDE THE TE’S; 5) EVERONE NEEDS TO COVER THE KICK!

PUNT TEAM DRILLS PUNTER PUNT TEAM
o DROPS-ON-A-LINE Can run most ACROSS the field, ON the lines
o ONE-STEPS
o 5-5-5 (LEFT-MIDDLE-RIGHT) o CSUP 3-ON-3 EXPOSURE DRILL
o HIT THE PYLON o CSUP INTERSECT DRILL
o “FG” PUNTS & UPRIGHT PINGS o CSUP LOBSTER & WHEEL DRILL
o DOWN-THE-LINE PUNTS (Across field or o COMPRESSION TACKLING DRILL (2-MAN)
o 1:1; 2:2; HALF-LINE PROTECTION & COVER
on sideline)
o NUTHIN’ BUT HANG-TIME (W/WO “FREEZE”)
o “TIGER-DRIVES INTO THE WIND”
o RUGBY INSIDE-THE-10 PUNTS o FAN-OUT COVER LANES (W/WO “FREEZE”)
o PASSING DRILLS FOR FAKES o SHIELD: FEET-ON-THE-EDGE PROTECTION
o GUNNERS RING RELEASE & TOWEL PICKUP
SNAPPER o STACKING DRILL
o OVERHEAD SNAPS o PULL-THRU DRILL
o PROGRESSIVE LONGSNAPS 5-10-15-18 o “PIN-‘EM-DEEP” DRILL (1 MAN/2 MAN)
o FITNESS BALL/TACKLE WHEEL OPEN FIELD
YARDS
o SNAP & PROTECT LEFT/RIGHT TACKLING
o ANGLE/OFFSET SNAPS
o HARD TURNS
o CROSS FACE
o INSIDE/INFRONT DRILL
o SPECIAL TEAMS TACKLING CIRCUIT
o “ROUND THE LOOP & CHASE”
o CONFRONT/RUN THRU/RUN AROUND DRILL

MISCELLANEOUS
• FITNESS BALLS & TACKLE WHEEL for tackling
• FINISH with a STRIP

• GET JUGGS MACHINE WORKING FOR PUNT COVERAGE