"Special" teams...kicking game

#1
dono

dono

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#1
I have never liked the term "special" for field goals, extra points, kick offs and punts. It seems the only time it gets much mention is in relation to field position. But it seems to me that there is an opportunity to exploit that phase of the game, specifically in the return game. One of the Maxims tells that is where the breaks are made. It can provide the winning edge.

We have had some returners who excelled...Berry, Patterson, Bobby Majors(?). And I know that certain players get into the game by their participation on kicking game plays and get promoted to offense and defense off their performance.

But, I would like to know how much practice time is actually devoted to the kicking game, particular the punt and kickoff return? How many coaches actually coach the kicking game?
I know an emphasis on player safety must continue, but is there any room for innovation in the kicking game? And No, I am not calling for the return of the "flying wedge."
 
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#4
#4
Majors had a gift with returns to be sure. Lethal with punts. Bet many an older Penn St fan knows the name! And don't forget Stanley Morgan. Fans held their collective breath when he would return a kick. Before they neutered special teams, it was a very important part of the game. Cafego was superb. We always seemed to have an advantage in that aspect of the game. Punting to the coffin corner was something you got to see regularly. A return for six was always a thrill. Now... why bother? It's almost always a fair catch and start at the 25. Just a team sprint these days. Start everyone at the 25 and forget kickers altogether. I miss the days of football the way it's supposed to be played not the watered down version of what we see now.
 
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#5
#5
ACvol3 said:
This is a phase that we have to be really careful with this week. B Brown is dynamic (and just a freshman). Don’t need him to give uk any kind of spark
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I wouldn't give him the chance if I could help it. Certainly better have everyone staying in their lanes and wrapping up. No cheap ones for UK. Make 'em earn every single point.
 
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#7
#7
BigBadVol said:
I think Dee Williams takes one to the house before the season is over. The kid is elusive and fast.
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No joke— I ran into his Dad after the Bama game walking back to the car. Mentioned how impressed I was with his performance so far, especially at LSU and nearly breaking one there had it not been for a shoestring tackle. His Dad basically said the same thing (as expected from a parent) on that he expects him to break one open this season too.
 
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#9
#9
supersmo18 said:
No joke— I ran into his Dad after the Bama game walking back to the car. Mentioned how impressed I was with his performance so far, especially at LSU and nearly breaking one there had it not been for a shoestring tackle. His Dad basically said the same thing (as expected from a parent) on that he expects him to break one open this season too.
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That's cool, but how did you know it was his dad? I mean I'm pretty sure I wouldn't recognize Dee in street clothes walking back to my car much less his dad.
 
#10
#10
dono said:
I have never liked the term "special" for field goals, extra points, kick offs and punts. It seems the only time it gets much mention is in relation to field position. But it seems to me that there is an opportunity to exploit that phase of the game, specifically in the return game. One of the Maxims tells that is where the breaks are made. It can provide the winning edge.

We have had some returners who excelled...Berry, Patterson, Bobby Majors(?). And I know that certain players get into the game by their participation on kicking game plays and get promoted to offense and defense off their performance.

But, I would like to know how much practice time is actually devoted to the kicking game, particular the punt and kickoff return? How many coaches actually coach the kicking game?
I know an emphasis on player safety must continue, but is there any room for innovation in the kicking game? And No, I am not calling for the return of the "flying wedge."
Click to expand...
All good coaches do. It would be stupid to not coach ANY aspect of the game.
 
#13
#13
dono said:
I have never liked the term "special" for field goals, extra points, kick offs and punts. It seems the only time it gets much mention is in relation to field position. But it seems to me that there is an opportunity to exploit that phase of the game, specifically in the return game. One of the Maxims tells that is where the breaks are made. It can provide the winning edge.

We have had some returners who excelled...Berry, Patterson, Bobby Majors(?). And I know that certain players get into the game by their participation on kicking game plays and get promoted to offense and defense off their performance.

But, I would like to know how much practice time is actually devoted to the kicking game, particular the punt and kickoff return? How many coaches actually coach the kicking game?
I know an emphasis on player safety must continue, but is there any room for innovation in the kicking game? And No, I am not calling for the return of the "flying wedge."
Click to expand...

You are a special poster. Keep up the good work!
 
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#14
#14
I would imagine that there isn't that much coaching involved in the return game simply because it is so dependent on an individual's open field running skills. They probably have coached a general plan (return right, return left, return middle, that kind of thing) and maybe a few special plays like throwbacks and reverses, but it's really a hat on a hat and skill guy do his thing. The return guy might be coached up a bit on when to return and when not to.

I used to return kicks and punts and always felt like I was running for my life.
 
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#15
#15
dono said:
Are you telling me that the guy coaching cornerbacks is coaching the holder for PAT's
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Maybe i misunderstood the question. However when you asked how much time was devoted to special teams i made the assumption you meant very little to no time was allotted for special team practice. If thats not what you meant; my bad.

I dont know who coaches the placekick holder but do know someone does. Or if they dont it is a failure on the coaching staff and a mental error waiting to happen.
 
#18
#18
GetYouSomeofThat said:
Maybe i misunderstood the question. However when you asked how much time was devoted to special teams i made the assumption you meant very little to no time was allotted for special team practice. If thats not what you meant; my bad.
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Incorrect assumption. I was truly ignorant and curious.
 
#20
#20
Behr said:
That's cool, but how did you know it was his dad? I mean I'm pretty sure I wouldn't recognize Dee in street clothes walking back to my car much less his dad.
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His dad was with his uncle, and they both had lanyards with his number and “Williams” on it. His uncle was giving a lot of Bama fans the business (which was hilarious to watch, btw), so I started talking to them and found out that way who they were.
 
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