Trojan Special Teams

Trojan Special Teams Over the past 5 seasons, Troy has excelled in the area of Special Teams helping the Trojans to 3 straight Sun Belt Titles. The Trojans have had at least one Special Teams unit ranked in the top 25 nationally in each of the past 5 seasons.

National Rankings 2004- 21st in Net Punt, 37.82 10th in KO Return, 23.90 T. Olmstead- 17th, 43.05 2005- 23rd in Punt Return, 11.97 L. McKelvin- 16th, 12.64 2006- 14th in Punt Return yd. Def. L. McKelvin- 22nd, 11.21 2007- 4th in Punt Return, 16.77 L. McKelvin- 4th 17.44 2008- 2nd in PR Ydage Def. 7th in KOR Ydage Def.

2008 Troy Special Teams Rankings Sun Belt Ranking (8 Teams) NCAA Ranking (119 Teams) Yardage NET PUNT 1 29 36.53 yds. KICKOFF RETURN 50 21.81 yds. PR Ydage DEF. 2 2.53 yds. KOR ydage DEF. 7 17.90 yds. PUNT RETURN 3 31 11.23 yds. Jorrick Calvin (KOR) 25.67 yds. Jorrick Calvin (PR) 39 9.9 yds. Will Goggans (P) 5 76 39.17 yds. Sam Glusman (Place Kicker) finished 7th in the Country in Number of FG Made. (20) Michael Taylor (Kickoffs) finished the season with 9 Touchbacks. Will Goggans (Punter) placed 35% (18/52) of his punts inside the 20 yd. line.

Trojan Special Teams Philosophy “The Winning Edge” Over the years the “Kicking Game” has been a deciding factor in many football games. It may be that part of a football contest that can create that greatest number of momentum changes. Consider theses elements of Special Teams play: 1. Each play usually covers at least 40 yards of field position. 2. Each play normally involves a change of possession. 3. Plays that do not fall into the first two categories involve direct scoring opportunities. Therefore, we must be thoroughly prepared on every Special Teams play to accomplish our goals. Champions take PRIDE in making things happen positively. Our kicking game is considered an OFFENSIVE phase of our approach to the game of football. We plan to WIN in every phase of our Special Teams. Our schemes are designed to keep constant pressure on our opponent. The key to success will be CONSISTENCY and EFFICENCY executed with YOUR intensity, effort, discipline, concentration, and unequaled enthusiasm. Remember, we are not striving to be GOOD. We are going to be the BEST!

Special Teams Philosophy (Great Teams Do What?) 1. Break Games Down 2. Score Touchdowns 3. Give Offense & Defense Good Field Position 4. ATTACK Oriented 5. Fakes - Have Fun How To Become Successful 1. Eliminate Mistakes a. Concentrate on Assignments b. Learn Rules To Take Advantage Of Them c. Know Situations d. Know What Opponent Is Trying To Do 2. Intensity a. Pay Attention To Detail b. All Out Pride-Hustle-Desire 3. Fundamentals a. Precise Skills – Punters, Kickers, Snappers, Holders b. Concentration, Distance to Locate Yourselves on Kicks, Timing 4. Personnel a. BEST Players (First/Second) b. Reckless Abandon – No Restraints c. Unselfishness, Team Oriented, Courageous, Enthusiastic Winner Special = Unique – Exclusive – Defined – Distinct – Choice – Specialist – Expert – Devotee – Master –Scholar –Authority – Technician

Play Great Special Teams #1 INTELLIGENCE -Study opponent, Tendencies, Anticipate, Players visualize, and Success #2 EFFORT -Give great effort in special teams (Drills / Meetings / Games) #3 INTENSITY -Ability to focus in meetings & practice & games #4 TECHNIQUES -Be sound fundamentally #5 COMMITMENT -Can you be special for one play

Head Coach Involvement Imperative to be successful Must stress importance of players being a part of special teams Knowledgeable Willing to use any player on special teams Involved in game planning and film study in order to make sound game day decisions.

Staff Organization One coordinator= continuity, better productivity, one identity, promotes smoother meetings, helps on personnel issues HOWEVER! Good Special teams play can not be achieved without the dedicated help of the other assistants.

Personnel PLAY YOUR BEST PLAYERS ON SPECIAL TEAMS!!! No player is exempt- Our three starting linebackers are on punt team. Our starting corners are on kick-off. Create a culture where great players want to play special teams. A good place to get young talented players game experience. Also a place for role players.

Practice Organization 1 out of every 5 plays that take place in a game is a Special Teams play (20%). Therefore, 20% of every practice should be dedicated to Special Teams. Practice time limited just as meeting time is limited Know exactly what you are going to do Have a competitive scout team Teach scout team off opponent film so they know how to execute opponents schemes (draw cards)

Special Teams Game Week Schedule Monday- Review game tape Preview opponent PAT- 5 min. Punt- 10 min. KOC- 10 min. Tuesday- KOR- 10 min. Wednesday- PR- 10 min. Thursday- Review all Special Teams Onside, Hands, Fakes

Meeting Preparedness Make time to meet. Be prepared so no time is wasted. Limit video to exactly what the players need to see ie.., basic schemes, fakes, special adjustments to unusual alignments. Meeting needs to address what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and why it is going to work.

Self Evaluate Grade players performance on special teams Evaluate your schemes. Are they succeeding? Do not be afraid to make a change Stay ahead of your opponent by constantly evaluating your own strengths and weaknesses each week.

Reward Positive Performance Recognize good special teams performances in front of team. We do this Monday after every game. Recognize a player/players of the week on a board or with an award. Have a goal board- just as you probably have an offensive and defensive goal board.

Special Teams Reminders #1 Set The Tone -No Substitute for Toughness (K.O. UNIT SETS THE TONE) #2 Ball Security #3 No Penalty #4 Establish Field Position #5 Big Play (See yourself making the BIG PLAYS)

Opponent Evaluation Questions to Answer? #1 SCHEMES What are their schemes? What is their system? What are they trying to do? #2 PERSONNEL Who are their dominant players? Who must we shut down? #3 WEAKNESS Where are their weaknesses? (system and personnel) #4 MATCHUPS Where are the matchups to our advantage or disadvantage? #5 DRILLS/TECHNIQUES What must we teach to win?

Punt Team

Shield Punt

Shield Punt Most vulnerable gaps are B and C gaps. We want our snapper at or below 0.8 sec. Our total operation should not be more than 2.1 sec. Protectors run through their man on their way out, not retreat backwards The shield covers down field after ball is kicked If no one pressures then the shield should immediately begin coverage Snapper just snaps and covers

Shield Punt Splits- guards are 2 yards, tackles and ends are 2.5 to 3 yards The 3 shield guys heels are at 8 yards from the ball The punter is at 14 to 15 yards from LOS Left and Right shield players apex the A-gap Middle shield starts out behind right shield and fills gap when ball passes The punters foot at contact with ball MUST be right behind middle shield and be 2-3 yards from shield- this protects the punt from being blocked around edges or over the top

Count System 4 or less on LOS, the count starts with first defender from the outside in. Five or more on LOS, the count starts with second defender from outside in. Only players on LOS will be counted. Anyone off the line or in a stack position will not be counted. If five or more and the tackle or end can’t get to their man, then they make a FAN call and counts starts back with 1. Left shield gives the count, cadence and direction of kick

Cover Lanes From Middle of Field L3 one yard inside number L2 4 yards outside hash L1 one yard inside left up right C on ball R1 1 yard inside right up right R2 4 yards outside hash R3 one yard inside the numbers LS numbers Punter may be the safety MS middle RS Numbers

Cover Lanes From Hash L3 3 Yards from SL L2 Top of Numbers L1 Midpoint Numbers and Hash C Hash Mark R1 left Up Right R2 RT Up Right R3 Far Hash LS Numbers MS Hash to Side of Kick RS Middle Punter be the Safety

Rugby Punt Splits- 1 yard for everybody on LOS Right side blocks gap down Left side scoops Left shield looks right A- gap back to left A-gap Right shield takes first thing off the edge Middle shield takes second off edge on his way out, checking for penetration on his way. Punter rolls right and is taught to hold the ball as long as he can until he feels pressure Returner does NOT catch the ball in the air!

Punt Team Questionnaire Base Calls- Pressure Problem Answers- Coverage Problem Answers- Coming Out- Must Get Punt Off- Take Safety-

Punt Team Questionnaire New Snapper- New Punter- Fake- Pooch Punt- Depth Issues-

Punt Return

Max Double 18 Jam Jam Jam Crash Crash Jam Punt Return Max Double 18 Jam Jam Jam Crash Crash Jam

Max Double 18 Main concept is to double team the gunners with our corners and number 1 and 8 players Only one player rushes to ensure the kick The rest jam their man while keeping inside leverage Max means we’re trying to return the ball up the middle, that’s why we have inside leverage

Max Double 18

Jam Jam Players are in a sprinters stance, exploding through the outside shoulder of blocker shooting our hat and hands into the blocker. This is selling the rush causing the opponent to retreat back to protect. When the ball is kicked, the punt team goes from protecting to covering the kick. When the coverage team attempts to shed our rushers, we teach our players to sink their hips to resist the throw and stay on their feet. Next, our blockers must have speed to recover back on their man and run with them maintaining a position between cover man and returner. If our blocker is initially defeated, he is taught to run the cover man down. When the cover man breaks down to tackle the returner this allows the blocker to regain his position to make a legal block (high and in front). #8 ensures the kick.

Jam Jam

Jam Crash Left side is in jam mode in case we do not get the block we can still have a left return The right corner times up snap and rushes under 8 player. 8 player goes over the top of wing #4 on the left side leaves early to cover gunner on right to replace the corner Take the ball off the punters foot and don’t leave your feet- Run to the block point. If we do not block the punt, rushers continue running to form wall on Jam side of the field.

Jam Crash

Crash Jam

Punt Return Questionnaire Opponent Punt Formations- Opponent Protection- Opponent Coverage- Gunners are- Contain is- Ball Lands Generally- Punter is RT/LT Footed- Punters Average- Block Point is at ____ yds. Snapper is ________. Does he pull ball ________?

Punt Return Questionnaire Best place to pressure kick is- Weakest Blocker is ______, ______, ______. Weakest Cover guys are ______, ______, ______. Best place to return punts are- Depth Issues-

Punt Safe Questionnaire Their punt formation- Fakes they’ve shown- Our Punt Safes-

Kick - Off Team

Kickoff Cover Regular Kick

Kick Off Cover Alignments and Cover Lanes 1 aligns 3 yards from the sideline and is contain 2 aligns top of numbers 3 halfway between numbers and hash 4 aligns 1 yard outside the hash and covers down the hash 5 aligns 1 inside the hash and covers to the left upright 6 varies alignment and covers to the ball 7 aligns on the right upright and covers to the middle of goal post 8 aligns 1 yard inside the hash and covers to the right upright 9 aligns 2 yards outside the hash, covers down the hash, and is contain 10 covers down the field beyond opposite 40 folds to become mid level fill player K safety

Kick Off Cover Technique and Procedures Covering 2/3 of the field- reduce amount of field to cover Kicker places ball just inside left hash or wherever he feels comfortable Kicker’s goal is to land ball on the numbers The kick must be outside of hash Hang time should be 3.8 or better Must cover with speed and athleticism START-we want to hit the yardline where the ball is kicked at full speed as the kicker impacts the ball AVOID- We must have enough speed on this unit to avoid all early blocks with speed. You should always avoid to the butt side of the defender. Within ten yards of the returner we must become two gap players and take on the defender If a double team is encountered, we will attack one predetermined defender. FIT-We will determine the opponents two most used returns and “fit” them just as a defense “fits” offensive play schemes.(This is accomplished with our Kick Off Fit Drill which can be seen on the drill tape.)

Avoid and Two-Gap Drill Cover and Return Drill Kick Off Cover Drills Fit Drill Avoid and Two-Gap Drill Cover and Return Drill (See Drill Tape)

Kickoff Cover Questionnaire Base Calls- Special Kicks- Answer if having problems in coverage- Against Wind Plan- KOC After Safety Plan- Must Onside.

Kickoff Cover Questionnaire Depth Issues- List Opponents Returns-

Kick - Off Return

Kick-off Return 1. Average 25 yards per return. 2. Score or set up a score. 3. Find the weakness and attack (Personnel or Scheme). 4. Personnel is critical with your front line players. (Hardest Technique) 5. Practice techniques like you are in a game situation. 6. Find returners that are north and south runners. Sometimes your BEST running backs and receivers are not the BEST kick-off returners. (Defensive Backs) 7. We use man protection so if your guy twists you have him no matter what.

Kickoff Return Left Return Right Return Middle Return Left HASH Return Right HASH Return

Left and Right Return We line up in a basic 5-2-2-2 On right return, the right tackle and RE double #4 The two FB’s and LE wedge together on 1,2, and 3 The guards, center, and other tackle man block 5,6,7,and 8 Count starts from right to left unless Left or Left Hash Return is called.

Middle Return Returners ensure the catch and lead up to the wedge protecting backside. FB’s and Ends form a 4-man wedge and lead returners down the middle of the field. Frontline guys turn 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 out. 4-man wedge takes on 5 and 6.

Left and Right HASH Returns Returner that is not receiving the kick makes sure the other returner catches and handles the kick. Then he leads the returner to the hash taking care of anything that shows first and then protecting back side. Backside End checks backside after forming wedge. Running the HASH Return creates a landmark for return team to clear for the returner. It also gives the returner a landmark to hit. Front line pins 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 inside off the hash. Return side Tackle may change which way he blocks #4 depending on evaluation of #4 cover lane on film. Return side End blocks 3 outside away from hash.

Kickoff Return Questionnaire Base Returns- Special Returns- Wind Plan- Short Kick. KOR After Safety- Hands Team- Where is ball placed- Before and After Kick.

Kickoff Return Questionnaire List Opponents Best Cover Guys- Depth Issues-

Time Management in Taking the Safety General Rule: If they have to Score Twice, then we Punt it and force them to earn it with execution. If we are Up by 5(3): 21+ seconds we Punt 20 or less seconds we Take the Safety. If we are Up by 6(4) to 10(8): 31+ seconds we Punt it. 30 or less seconds we Take the Safety

Squib? Kickoff at End of Half or Game Time Management Squib? Kickoff at End of Half or Game Up by a TOUCHDOWN: With less than 31 seconds= Squib. With 31 or more seconds= Kick Deep. Up by a FG: With less than 16 seconds= Squib. With 16 or more seconds= Kick Deep. Up by 2 scores: With less than 1 minute= Squib. We may Squib with more time left in these situations if we are very confident in our defense’s ability to hold. CP’s: Kick ball at ENDS. Maintain field spacing integrity.

Onside Kicks at End of Game Time Management Onside Kicks at End of Game Any less time is an Onside situation: No Timeouts: need 3:00 min. to Kick Deep. (With no TO’s, we must get to 3rd down at 2 minute.) One Timeout: need 2:30 minutes to Kick Deep Two Timeouts: need 2:00 minutes to Kick Deep. Three Timeouts: need 1:30 to Kick Deep.

Last Second “Hurry Up” Field Goal Time Management Last Second “Hurry Up” Field Goal When we are in FG range on 1st, 2nd, 3rd down. General In-Range rule is inside 30 yd. line, and is subject to game conditions. NO TIMEOUTS: Preferred time needed to execute= 17 seconds. 3rd Down= NO KILL Clock Situation. Huddle: Minimum play start at 24 seconds. No Huddle: minimum call play at 34 seconds. 1st or 2nd Down= KILL Clock Situation. Huddle: Minumum play start at 20 seconds. No Huddle: Minimum call play at 25 seconds. *Kill it at 4-6 seconds. ONE or MORE TIMEOUTS: Preferred time needed to execute FG and avoid Kickoff is 4 seconds. Call Timeout at 4-6 seconds. Call at 7 seconds if we want time to account for penalty against us on attempt. Huddle: Minimum play start at 12 seconds. No Huddle: Minimum call play at 22 seconds.

Special Teams Goal Board

Win the Field Position Battle MTSU ASU OSU Ok. St. FAU FIU NT ULM WKU LSU ULL Win the Field Position Battle Kick-Off Return Score or Set Up a Score Av. 25 yrds Per Return Kick-Off Coverage Create a Turnover Hold Opponent Inside 20 Punt Return Block a Punt Av 10 Yrds Per Return Punt No Blocked Punts Hold Opp to 4 Yrds Per Return Av. 43 Yrds Per Punt FG/PAT 100% FG/PAT Block Block a Kick

Kickers, Punters, Snappers Weekly Schedule

Monday- Thursday Periods 1-3- PAT/FG, Punt To understand our kicking schedule and drills, you first have to know our day- to- day Special Teams practice schedule Monday- Thursday Periods 1-3- PAT/FG, Punt Monday Periods 10-11- Kickoff Coverage Tuesday Periods 10-11- Kickoff Return Wednesday Periods 10-11- Punt Return Thursday Periods 4-7- Everything (Fakes, Hands, Onside, etc…) Each Period is 5 minutes.

Specialists Our Kickers, Snappers, and Punters are all out on the field 45 minutes before our team stretching begins to start practice. 3rd and 4th String players (walk-ons) shag balls for starters and backups getting them ready for periods 1-3. They will have an opportunity to kick later in practice and starters and backups will shag for them.

Troy Kicker’s Warm-Up Stretch on their own. Start with Lift Drill- works foot placement on the ball and getting height on kick. (great for freshmen used to kicking off a tee) No Steps from 10 yd. line- works proper leg swing, follow through the ball and HEAD DOWN!!!

Troy Kicker’s Warm-Up 1 Step- works on adjusting to a mishandled snap that is set late. Focuses on plant foot at the proper spot, head down and follow through. Full Steps- finally, we work full steps from different spots and angles. When snapper and kicker are ready, the holders come down to work Snap, Hold, Kicks- making sure we have a good/smooth operation.

Troy Kicker’s Warm-Up Before Team stretch, kickoff return Ends and FB’s catch pooches and squibs from our kickers. The Pooch Kick- is a shorter kick, but with the same amount of hang time as a deep kick. Our kickers try to land the ball 45 yards down the field approximately the 25 yard line on the numbers. Kicker places tee wherever he feels most comfortable while pooch kicking being careful not to kick it out of bounds. Kickers approach the ball different on pooch kicks, so cover team must be aware and develop proper timing on get offs.

Troy Kicker’s Warm-Up Squib- Ends and FB’s should also field squibs from kickers. Kickers should focus on kicking higher on the ball to keep it low as possible. We want the FB’s to catch and return the kick. The ball should bounce around on the ground before getting to the FB’s. We do not want the roll to be end over end. Bunt- Last, the kickers work on their bunt kicks. The kickers approach to the ball is the same as the deep kick. The bunt should get to ten yards quickly and should be recovered before 15 yards. Kickers must “feel” the bunt, not too hard, but not too slow.

Troy Snapper’s Warm-Up Stretch on their own. Toss back and forth to get arms loose Snap over heads to work wrists and spiral of ball Finally, they snap to each other, starting at 10 yds. and working out to 15 yds. After punt snaps they warm-up on short snaps. Make sure holders and punters catch snaps before Team stretching.

Troy Punter’s Warm-Up Stretch on their own. Drops down the line- works on staying straight and not crossing feet. Also focuses on Drop which is most important part of punt. No Steps- HEAD DOWN, fitting foot on ball properly, Good Drops, follow through 1 Steps- Good Drops, not crossing feet, fit foot on ball

Troy Punter’s Warm-Up Full Steps- work on Tempo, also work on bad snaps and getting ball to drop point Returners- catch punts during this time before practice, working on getting to the ball, catching ball high and in front, and elbows in, tuck high and tight, and get north. Last 10 minutes before stretch we work Rugby Kicks. This is usually when punters catch snaps from snappers.

Troy Punter’s Warm-Up Rugby Kick- we get depth on our roll out and kick top half of the ball. The ball should land approximately 25 yards from the Line of Scrimmage. The Rugby Kick should be high enough to avoid hitting our cover team, but low enough to prevent the returner from fielding the punt in the air. Punters roll out until they feel pressure. The longer the punter holds the ball the farther down the field our cover team gets. Do not rely on shield to make blocks. Kick the ball as soon as pressure is felt.

Periods 4-9 During this 30 minutes, we work whatever we have coming up Periods 10-11. Monday- Kickoff Coverage- We work our bunts, squibs, pooches, and onside kicks. During periods 8-9, we work on placement of our deep kicks. Punters will work on their punts going in. Snappers catch up for us with walk-ons.

Periods 4-9 Tuesday- Kickoff Return- During periods 8 and 9, our kickers will work on their kickoffs in order to give return team a good look. Also, kickers will work on extra FG’s from hashes. Punters- work on bad snaps, down the line focusing on drops and then extra Rugby Kicks. Snappers and walk-ons catch up.

Periods 4-9 Wednesday- Punt Return- Our back up punters work on their punts during periods 8 and 9 to prepare for period 10 scout look. Back up snappers get extra snaps preparing for scout punt team. Punters kick with back ups that are getting ready for Period 10. Kickers- extra FG’s, Onside, squibs, bunts, and pooches Snappers catch up and get back up snapper ready for Punt Return.

Periods 12- 21 Walk-On kickers get to warm up and kick. Starting kickers catch up for them and help walk-on kickers get better. At this point, even though practice is only an hour in, starting kickers and punters have been kicking on and off for 2 hours. Their day is done. We must be careful not to over kick.

Thursday Periods 1-7 are all kicking We go over all fakes, hands team, onside kick team, different kickoffs (pooch, bunt, squib), kickoff returns, and all punt returns for that week’s opponent. Practice is shorter on Thursdays, only about 12- 14 periods. Kickers and punters are usually done after Period 7. They should be limiting their kicks as gameday approaches.

PAT/FG Questionnaire They pressure kicks from- We must watch who while protecting- Special Kicks- FG Pooch Fake- Muddle Huddle-

PAT/FG Block Questionnaire Block Point- Kick feels pressure from his RT/LT/ Middle? Kickers Range- Falls shown list- Best Blocks- Their weakest protectors- Do they Muddle Huddle? PAT/FG Safe-