Princeton University Punt Block And Return

SWAT Your Way to Big Plays

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n behalf of Princeton football, I would like to thank Tim Landis of Davidson College and the Summer Manual Committee for the opportunity to contribute to this year’s edition. As an assistant coach, it is an honor and a privilege to be part of one of the best coaching manuals in college football. Steve Tosches, the head football coach at Princeton, does a great job of emphasizing special teams through his practice organization plan. Preseason Schedule We block off a 15-minute period early in each practice in which we concentrate on one phase of the kicking game. In addition, after every morning practice, we have a 15to-20-minute specialty station segment. We have designated six skills that we believe need extra individual technique time. We will choose two or three of these skills and work the fundamentals with the entire staff present.

Don Dobes Linebackers Coach Princeton University Princeton, N.J.

The Six Skill Areas 1. Snappers - Holders. 2. Punters - Returners. 3. Kickers - Returners - Wings. 4. Kick Blockers (Punt and PAT/FG). 5. Shock & Shadow Technique. 6. Cage Drill (Punt Coverage). In-Season Schedule for Special Teams Monday: Coaches break down individual areas. Tuesday: 10 minutes punt, 10 minutes kick off return, five minutes PAT/FG. Wednesday: 10 minutes punt, 10 minutes SWAT, five minutes PAT/FG, 10 minutes kick off. Thursday: 10 minutes punt, 10 minutes SWAT, 10 minutes kick off return and hands team, 10 minutes kick off. Friday: Video review of opponent’s tendencies and game plan reminders (10 minutes each team). It is because of this commitment that we can give our players the tools to make plays. This emphasis is a big reason why we have blocked seven punts over the last two seasons. SWAT Team (Punt Block & Return) Philosophy 1. Pressure all kicks, challenge the opponent’s punt team to be perfect. 2. Set up returns off blocks, be alert for fakes. 3. Force mistakes by the punting team

• AFCA Summer Manual — 1999 •

and capitalize on them. 4. Fundamentally sound schemes, supported by proper techniques. 5. Simple to teach, flexible to handle all situations. Objectives 1. Obtain possession of the ball. 2. Win the field position battle. 3. Change momentum of the game. 4. Create a big play. 5. Score. Special Team Player Characteristics 1. Dependable. 2. Physical and tough. 3. Mentally sharp. 4. Intense. 5. Emotional. Scheme 1. Ten men up, with two being jammers vs. spread punt or two being spies vs. tight punt. 2. Rushes are designed from balanced, unbalanced and overload looks. 3. Against man protection teams, we will stem, stack and cross rush lanes. 4. Make rushes and returns look very similar. 5. Control eligible receivers and be alert to possible fakes. Key Terms Block Point: A landmark 9-10 yards deep, usually between the inside legs of the two protectors next to the snapper. MDM: Most dangerous man from a coverage standpoint. Snake, Power, Swim, Rip, and Crossface: Types of rush techniques used to get to block point. Engage Number: Blocking assignment. Shock and Shadow, Peel, Home Run, Chase, and Ricochet: Types of blocks. Trail: Technique used to mirror opponents in their cover lanes. Leverage: What number or shoulder to control, it can be inside/outside or right/left. Use-Up: One for one exchange to stop protector from helping on key rush men. Jet Stance: Three-point sprinter’s stance with 90 percent of weight on front foot. Personnel Right Side: R1, R3, R4. Left Side: L1, L3, L4. Jammers: L2, R2. Jokers: L5, R5.

Alignment and Gap/Responsibility Position L1, R1 L3, R3 L4, R4 L5, R5 (Jokers) L2 and R2 (Jammers)

Alignment 1-2 yards outside end man on LOS Head up on No. 2 Head up on No. 3 Inside Shade on No. 4 vs. Spread; Press No. 1 vs. Tight; Head up on No. 1

Gap/Responsibility Force C-Gap B-Gap A-Gap Man-to-Man D-Gap

Note: We number our opponent’s formation from outside to inside. Any changes of formation by shifting or motion is handled by the Jammers and Jokers.

Diagram 1: Base Look vs. Spread Punt

Diagram 3: Punt Block Lucky

Diagram 2: Base Look vs. Tight Punt

• Blocking assignment is punter. L3: Slightly tilted jet stance with eyes keying the ball. • Explode on snap, attack C gap to block point. • Work a move vs. No. 3 or fullback, freedom to have a two-way go. • Blocking assignment is to wheel right and join wall. L4: Parallel jet stance with inside eye on the ball. • Attack B gap two steps then drop out. • Check for backside fake and drive for depth to returner. • Landmark is 10 yards from returner opposite the return. • After catch lead return to right, block most dangerous man outside the wall. L5/R5: Parallel jet stance with inside eye on ball. • Attack A gap expecting to block the kick, do not leave your feet and only jump if fullback is between you and punter. • Snake the A gap reading blocking scheme on move. • If fullback blocks you, use him up. • Blocking assignment is to wheel right and join the wall. R4: Parallel jet stance with inside eye on ball. • Explode through B gap expecting to block kick. • Use a rip or swim move vs. No. 4, stay outside for flush. • Blocking assignment is to wheel and join wall.

Game Planning It is important to prepare a checklist of questions to answer as you break down your opponent’s punt team. Here are some items we believe help us develop a game plan: Video Breakdown Checklist 1. Operation time of long snapper and punter. 2. Long snapper’s consistency when moving right or left. 3. Block point depth. 4. Top cover personnel. 5. Weakness in protection scheme. 6. Best and worst protector. 7. How to occupy personnel protector. 8. Hang time of punts. 9. Best alignment and technique to use vs. the gunners. Assignments L1: Tilted jet stance with eyes keying the ball. • Explode on snap, attack block point in a straight line. • Take the ball off the kicker’s foot.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 1999 •

R3: Slightly tilted jet stance. Control C gap. • Explode two steps and shock No. 3. • Force No. 3 to release inside and turn and run to set wall. • Expect to block and pin No. 3 to the inside. R1: Tilted jet stance, key the ball for movement. • Power rush and control No. 2, force outside release by No. 2. • Insure kick, turn and sprint to become second part of the wall. L2/R2: Align head up on gunners in a press position two yards from line of scrimmage. • Slide inside or outside to gain leverage. • Jam release and work for inside or outside wall position. • Shadow gunner and force him to work to get to returner. Returner: Catch ball in the air if possible. • Set up return with an upfield move to the left or up the middle. • Find L4 and follow to the right. • Look for a seam between wall and lead block by L4. It has been a pleasure to share our SWAT team ideas. If you have any questions or would like to discuss some of our thoughts, please feel free and welcome to call the Princeton football office at 609-2583514.

The American Football Coaches Association Promotes Positive Recruiting Practices All Coaches: Be positive. Talk about your institution and not other institutions. Head Coaches: If you have a recruiting problem with another institution or have rumors flying that should be stopped: Call the head coach of the institution involved and talk straight. It will eliminate a lot of problems and hard feelings towards one another.