Gameplan

Welcome back to The Call Sheet!

Today, we’ll continue our Foundations of Football series by focusing on Special Teams, specifically Punt and PAT/Field Goal (FG) variations commonly seen at the college level. In addition to covering some basics, we’ll look at ways special teams coordinators create opportunities for fakes and 2-point plays. TLDR:

• Cover 2

  • Foundations of Football: Punt

  • Foundations of Football: PAT/Field Goal

• Quick Game

If you’re new, you can catch up on previous posts here.

Cover 2

Foundations of Football: Punt

In the college ranks, punt teams vary heavily. While each team may apply a unique flare to their scheme, they all fall into three main buckets: spread, shield, or hybrid. Let’s take a look.

Spread

Spread punt is considered a traditional style. It’s also the variation utilized by NFL teams since gunners (the two wide individuals) are the only players allowed to run downfield before the ball is kicked. Colleges don’t have to abide by the same restrictions, so we see more variety. More on that later. When you see a spread punt team, you can expect the players on the field to be a mix of offensive and defensive skill position players. Gunners in any punt style will always be receivers or corners; wings will be defensive backs or big receivers; interior players will be bigger defensive backs, linebackers, running backs, or the occasional defensive end and tight end; upbacks and personal protectors will be running backs or linebackers.

Another noteworthy aspect of the spread punt is the blocking scheme. Historically, teams used a zone scheme paired with interior players kick-sliding backward, but this was more susceptible to blocked punts. In recent years, however, teams have moved to man-blocking and having players step toward an assignment.

Lastly, the spread punt formation gives special teams coordinators a few options for fakes. The most likely would be a direct snap to the personal protector for a run. You may also see the punter throw the ball to one of the wings or even a gunner.

Shield

The shield punt is widely used at the college level, as it allows the front line to release downfield in coverage quickly. The widest individuals will act as gunners, while the interior players may be released immediately if there is no blocking responsibility. As previously mentioned, the college rules allow this style to exist since players do not have to wait for the ball to be kicked. The most significant difference between shield punt teams and spread is the personnel on the field. Teams will use offensive or larger interior defensive linemen to make up the three-person “shield” in front of the punter. The return team is allowed a free rush but is met with a wall. However, the biggest drawback is decreased coverage-capable players on the field.

Another reason for adopting the shield punt is the uptick in teams recruiting Australian rugby players as punters. The added ability to punt the ball accurately on the move allows teams to pin their opponent to one side of the field and limit returns. An offset shield may be used for teams that do not have a former rugby player but still want to obtain the same advantage as the rugby style (shown below).

Don’t be surprised to see punters keep the ball in their hands and continue running. I’ve seen it happen at least a couple of times a year where a return team does not ensure the ball is kicked and finds themselves giving up a bunch of yards or, even worse, a touchdown.

Hybrid

In the early 2010s, Utah State pioneered a punt formation that was a hybrid of the traditional spread and the shield. Combining the personnel of the spread, a man-blocking scheme, and the insurance of a second line of protection seen in the shield made this effective at deterring blocks and keeping returns to a minimum. Having a third gunner puts immediate pressure on returners and removes a potential threat from the box. Above all, the hybrid formation resembles a typical 20-personnel offensive formation, thus essentially allowing coordinators to call offensive plays for their fakes.

Foundations of Football: PAT/Field Goal

Due to the wide hashmarks on college fields, we also see variety in PAT/FG units. Teams will use either a traditional formation or a newer approach, leveraging one long and one wing side. Occasionally, you’ll see teams line up in the swinging gate before they ultimately kick the ball.

Traditional

Most of you are likely familiar with the traditional PAT/FG formation. It’s been around since the game’s inception and has avoided significant changes. Players are coached to step down and protect the gap to their inside. However, this does typically allow a free rusher off the outside edge.

One change that traditional field goal units have implemented is a tackle over for shorter kicks from a hash. This is often used inside 20 yards to reduce the harshness of the kicker’s angle. The holder will line up behind the guard closest to the middle of the field, and the long snapper will snap the ball at an angle.

Long Side & Wing Side

The creation of a long and wing side for PAT/FG units has come recently in the last decade. The change’s rationale is to deter kicks from being blocked off the edge. Implementing a long side creates greater distance between the most dangerous threat and the kicker. Additionally, the wing side forces defenders to take a more vertical path, requiring a harsher angle to reach the ball. Alignment for the players on both sides depends first on which leg the ball is being kicked with and where the ball is spotted. You would see the alignment above with a right-legged kicker and the ball in the middle of the field or on the right hash. Flip the alignment if the ball is on or near the left hash.

Swinging Gate

College football teams are always looking for the slightest edge over their opponents. A handful of teams use the swinging gate every year after scoring a touchdown. Rather than lining up and kicking the ball for the point after attempt, why not take advantage of a misaligned or unfocused defense to score two points? The swinging gate can be run in numerous ways, but all provide multiple options for the PAT/FG unit: direct snap to the LW, a quick screen to the RW, or the holder could keep the ball and run in for the conversion. Now, if the defense lines up without giving up an advantage, the PAT/FG unit will shift back into a kicking formation for the point after attempt.

Quick Game

Fake Rugby Punt Throwback

In 2014, my Bryant Bulldogs successfully ran a fake rugby punt throwback. We used the hybrid formation and occasionally did some rugby punts during the season. Like any strong special teams unit, we had fakes married to every wrinkle of the scheme. Everything had to be perfect to execute this fake in a de facto conference championship game: ball on the left hash, close to mid-field, 4th & 5. Check out the sideline and endzone film clips on our Twitter and Instagram accounts (links in the footer).

A Memorable Quote

Thank you all for spending a little bit of your day with me. See you next week!