1. WILDCAT SPECIAL TEAMS RETURN GAME & KICKOFF
PRESENTED BY
RICK SUTTON
2008 MINNEAPOLIS GLAZIER CLINIC

2. Philosophy George Allen: 1 out of 5 plays is a special teams play
Something unusual happens
Change of possession
Sizable amount of field position change
Specific attempt to score

3. Hopefully, nothing this unusual!

4. WILDCAT FOOTBALL
KICKOFF
RETURN

5. KICKOFF RETURN R/L Man Scheme Count off from call side
Communicate assignments
If opponent kicks from hash, we usually return to short side

6. KICKOFF RETURN R/L Technique
Get as close to the ball as possible before making block
“Ambush” blocks at POA
Don’t have to crush opponent away from ball
Stalk with back to call

7. KICKOFF RETURN R/L Technique T/E switch if #1 & #2 cross
Do not block outside 2 away from call
Backs must stem straight upfield
No penalties! Stay in front and stay high

8. RETURN RIGHT
T G C G T
E E F
H H
LEAD R

9. RETURN RIGHT RETURN RIGHT 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 T G C G T E E 6 5
T G C G T
E E F
H H
LEAD R
RETURN RIGHT

10. COACHING POINTS NO PENALTIES – STAY HIGH, DON’T BLOCK IN BACK
COMMUNICATE ASSIGNMENTS
MAKE BLOCK AS LATE AS POSSIBLE
BACKS MUST STEM UPFIELD TO SET UP BLOCKS

11. WILDCAT FOOTBALL
PUNT
RETURN

12. Need 3 Things for Big Return
Good kick
One great block
Returner make one man miss

13. Alignment vs. Tight Punt C
E T B B T E
B B S
C C

14. Alignment vs. SPREAD Punt C
E T B B T E
B B S
C C

15. PUNT RETURN Wall Scheme (the direction we are returning) Hold up front
Bring wall to ball!
Block gap upfield from return man
(the direction we are returning)

16. PUNT RETURN Technique Wall players Ends Hold up linemen Step past
Hustle to wall
Ends
Force punt
Off side – join end of wall
Play side – block punter

17. P C
E T T E
B B B B S
C C

18. PUNT RETURN Technique OLBs Safety Deep Back Return Man Cover #1
Block in or out – use his technique
Safety
Block most dangerous release
Usually snapper
Deep Back
Most dangerous
Return Man
Stem before breaking to wall

19. P C
E T T E
B B B B S
C C

20. COACHING POINTS Catch all punts!
Bring the wall to the ball - no landmarks
Only one deep man talks
“Me, me’ or “You, You”
Non-returner decides fair catch
Uncatchable punt – “Peter” call

21. WILDCAT FOOTBALL
KICKOFF
COVERAGE

22. LEFT HASH FORMATION MIDDLE FORMATION 3 2 1 2 1 K 1 2 1 2 3

23. BASIC COVERAGE SCHEME
COVER IN 3 WAVES,
NOT TRADITIONAL LANES

24. FIRST WAVE
ATTACKS BALLCARRIER:
OUTSIDE MEN ON SHOULDER,
INSIDE MEN ON #

25. R K

26. SECOND WAVE
BREAKS DOWN 5-7 YARDS
FROM THE BALL IN THE
SAME RELATIVE POSITION

27. R K

28. 1ST PHASE SPEED ZONE 20 Yards Cover ground Avoid contact
Get back on track

29. 2ND PHASE Reaction Zone 10 Yards Adjust waves to close on ball
Dip and rip with inside arm

30. 3rd Phase Contact Zone Converge on ball Maintain proper leverage
All blocks must be engaged with inside arm and shoulder
Make sure tackle

31. 40 50 30 20 10 G
SPEED ZONE
REACTION ZONE
CONTACT ZONE

32. THIRD WAVE ARE SAFETIES - FAST, SURE TACKLERS: BREAKDOWN 10-12 YARDS FROM BALL

33. SPEED (GAME SPEED) DETERMINES WHO
IS FIRST AND SECOND
WAVE

34. R K

35. EACH WAVE MUST ADJUST TO THE BALL AND MAINTAIN PROPER LEVERAGE

36. R K

37. Coaching Points
EACH MEMBER OF ALL WAVES MUST BE IN THE PROPER RELATIVE POSITION (i.e. OUTSIDE SHOULDER, OUTSIDE #)
STRESS ATTACK ANGLES, LATERAL MOVEMENT AND BREAKDOWN
ABILITY TO MOVE IN SPACE AND GET BACK ON TRACK IS KEY
AVOID BLOCKS - ONLY TAKE ON BLOCKS WHEN IN A POSITION TO MAKE A TACKLE OR WHEN BUSTING A WEDGE
ALL CONTACT WITH BLOCKERS MUST BE WITH INSIDE SHOULDER

38. WILDCAT SPECIAL TEAMS RETURN GAME & KICKOFF
PRESENTED BY
RICK SUTTON
2008 MINNEAPOLIS GLAZIER CLINIC