Maine University Kick Return

Save One Game a Year With the Maine Overshift

Bobby Wilder Kickoff Return Coach University of Maine Orono, Maine

Scott Lakatos Special Teams Coordinator

O

n behalf of the entire University of Maine coaching staff, it is a pleasure for me to share our overshift concept. We started this concept three years ago. Four years ago, we lost a game using the traditional 5-4-2 alignment with no overshift. Since we have changed to the overshift, our back wall players have been able to field the ball without being collisioned. That is the purpose of the overshift.

B. If you recognize the onside kick, fill gap between three and four initially. If ball goes wider, go to the ball! Coaching Point: When the ball is kicked deep, field it clearly and get as many yards as you can. Avoid any possibility of a fumble.

Diagram 1: Overshift Right

Black Bear On-Side Kickoff Return Personnel Special personnel will be substituted for our normal kick off return people when we anticipate an onside kick. Coaching Point: Do not block below the waist! Front Line A. Align on the 46. Stay square to the line and in good fundamental football position with hands positioned like a baseball infielder. Each player should be facing the kicker. B. Field any onside attempt directly at you or close down the restraining line. Fielding a kick that is close to the line requires good judgment. Field it if there is any doubt as to whether or not it is going to cross the line and you can recover it cleanly. C. If the kick goes through the front lime, block your assigned man. D. If the opponent kicks deep, drop straight back to the 35 and block most dangerous man. Second Line A. Line up five yards behind the front line (49 yard line). Fill in the spaces between the front line. Stay square to the line and in good fundamental football position with the hands positioned like a baseball infielder. B. Field any ball that crosses the line. Think in terms of gaining possession rather than advancing the ball. C. If the opponent kicks deep, drop straight back to the 30 and block most dangerous man. Make sure the ball is recovered by the deep man. Coaching Point: Always have your eyes on the ball. Always stay alert for the kick. See the ball kicked. Cover up teammate who recovers the ball. Returner A. Align on the 30 yard line. Be aware of the short kicks that might land behind the second line.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 1999 •

Overshift Right Front Wall Line up on the 46-yard line. No. 1: One yard on the bottom of the numbers. Block No. 1 from the sideline. No. 2: Three yards on top of the numbers. Block No. 2 from the sideline. No. 3: Split difference between the hash and the numbers. Block No. 3 from the sideline. No. 4: Line up on the hash. block No. 4 from the sideline. No. 5: Line up three yards on top of the hash. If ball is kicked to your side, recover or block most dangerous man. Run ball when kicked away! No. 6: Split difference between hash and numbers. Same as No. 5. Coaching Point for 1-4: If the man you are blocking moves closer to the sideline, adjust with him. Back Wall Line up five yards from front wall (49yard line). No. 1: Find a vision lane to the kicker between No. 1 and No. 2 in the front wall. Recover kick or protect. No. 2: Find a vision lane to the kicker between No. 2 and No. 3 in the front wall. Recover kick or protect. No. 3: Find a vision lane to the kicker between No. 3 and No. 4 in the front wall. Recover kick or protect. No. 4: Align on hash. Recover kick if kicked to you. Run to ball when kicked away!

Diagram 2: Overshift Left

number so they either go to the kick side or away from the kick side. Balance Front Wall Line up on the 46-yard line. No. 1: On top of the numbers. No. 2: One yard outside the hash. No. 3: Three yards to left of kicker. No. 4: Three yards to right of kicker. No. 5: One yard outside the hash. No. 6: On top of the numbers.

Diagram Balance

Overshift Left Note: Alignments are the same as overshift right. Players will always be the same

Back Wall Line up five yards from the front wall (49-yard line). No. 1: Split the difference between No. 1 and No. 2 in the front wall. No. 2: Split the difference between No. 2 and No. 3 in the front wall. No. 3: Split the difference between No. 4 and No. 5 in the front wall. No. 4: Split the difference between No. 5 and No. 6 in the front wall. If the Ball is Kicked Deep the Hands Team Front Line No. 1: Drop back to the 35, block most dangerous man. No. 2: Drop back to the 35, block most dangerous man. No. 3: Drop back to the 35, block most dangerous man. No. 4: Drop back to the 35, block most dangerous man.

vs.

turn and turn and turn and turn and

No. 5: Drop back to the 35, turn and block most dangerous man. No. 6: Drop back to the 35, turn and block most dangerous man. Second Line No. 1: Drop back to the block most dangerous man. No. 2: Drop back to the block most dangerous man. No. 3: Drop back to the block most dangerous man. No. 4: Drop back to the block most dangerous man.

30, turn and 30, turn and 30, turn and 30, turn and

Key Coaching Points for All Three Formations 1. Huddle on the sideline as long as possible. Try to determine the location of the kicker and the ball. That way you can make your call before the players go on the field. 2. Have one player assigned to make the call in case the kicking team huddles until the whistle or they shift from one side to the other (We like to use No. 4 in the front wall). 3. Alert the side judge that you may call a time-out if you don’t like what formation they come out in. 4. Spend five minutes per week drilling your starters and back-ups on all three calls. 5. Keep all of your players at the same positions. Have a back-up for each position. The assignments can become confusing if they are trying to learn more than one position.

Make a Difference Insist on Secure Assistant Coaches’ Contracts When Moving to a New Position AFCA members moving into a new position as a head coach can make a difference when it comes to improving the football coaching profession. Coaches who are in the process of interviewing for a head coaching position should make it a point to ask that assistant coaches’ contracts run from July to July or the equivalent (such as January to January plus six months) when negotiating with an institution’s representatives. Only those within the profession can put an end to poor contracts. It’s up to you. • AFCA Summer Manual — 1999 •