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Post by CoachJoe on Feb 23, 2009 21:51:38 GMT -5
Is there a reason to do anything special on kick-off coverage? Is anything really more sound than 10 guys in lanes?
Can you make up for the fact that you might not have 10 great tacklers by running some special coverages?
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Post by jkeeler on Feb 24, 2009 12:48:46 GMT -5
Well I think having 10 guys in lanes is sound but they are covering a 53 and 1/3 yard field in width. Bad things can happen. I love watching the University of Florida's Kickoff coverage beacause there kicker always directional kicks and they reduce their players so that they know where the ball is being returned. I think this year they led the nation in kickoff coverage.
I really like pinning the ball at an angle and reducing the whole field for the return team but it all depends on your kicker. You have to be sure he is going to kick the ball in the right spot and not out of bounds or in the middle of the field.
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Post by coachhez on Feb 24, 2009 21:09:56 GMT -5
Your right about pinning teams and reducing the field. But you are also very accurate about having the right guy kicking. I think kicking is majorly neglected at most levels of football. IF (and thats a big IF) you have the guy who can put the ball where he wants to 70% of the time I think that you are already in an advantagous positon regarding special teams. But lets face it, at the high school level how likely is that. I mean we all there are kickers out there who have a heck of a foot who can put it out of the endzone on every kickoff, but if you ask him to kick a XP and it is at one of the field he misses 65% of the time. Point I am making is really twofold: 1) Can what UF does be done at the high school level with the average high school kicker and 2) IF you dont have that kicker, what else can you do to take advantage of that special team.
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Post by CoachJoe on Feb 25, 2009 11:56:05 GMT -5
In high school, it seems like teams are finally adapting that special team to fit their players. I mean, some teams are kicking on-sides every play. Some are pooch kicking, etc. Only a few teams have that boomer that can put the ball in the end zone even HALF the time. I think you can usually get a guy to put it where you want if you have time to coach him - the problem is, most teams don't carry a kicking coach, and many don't even carry a true kicker who practices that all day.
SO, if you have a spray kicker (is that a term?) with reasonable leg power, then I guess the lanes are still a decent option? Or should you be teaching pooch kicks, squib kicks, and on-sides kicks?
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Post by jkeeler on Feb 25, 2009 20:18:53 GMT -5
The important thing is to find somebody who can be just the kicker. He doesn't have to have a huge leg, but I believe you can teach a kid to accurately directional kick (especially a soccer player). As to your question about squib kicks, my problem with them is that it is hard to be consistent kicking into the seams. A middle guy can pick it up and now we are defending a short field. I watch NFL and College teams squib kick, ( these are the best kickers in the world), and one might bonce to the 10 and the next one is recovered and returned to the 45. Just like any phase of the game, we are looking for what gives us the best chance of consistency in play
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Post by dlinestud on Jul 15, 2009 23:12:34 GMT -5
One thing we began doing several years ago is telling all of our cover guys which way to avoid their blocker. This helps us maintain "lane consistancy". We allow them the freedom to either just rip through their blocker or give him a wiggle first the opposite way their going to rip.
Also, I have a ? for you guys..... Do you contain with your widest guys or mix it up and contain with someone else. I know we number block on our returns and it can play havoc with our kids when teams cross after about 15 yards or so down field.
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Post by CoachJoe on Jul 26, 2009 19:45:33 GMT -5
We are number blocking as well, and I think crossing those guys up sometimes could really mess up a kid. Good idea if you know the opponent is trying to block a man, because they're normally preparing the return thinking that the kick-off team is just going to be coming in lanes.
The biggest mistake I see in kids avoiding blockers is not so much going to the wrong side (which is a problem) but trying to run around front line blockers to early. Then blocker can move with them and they get so far out of their lane they create a seam. They need to make their move right when they get to the front line guy, who should theoretically not be as quick as my Kick-Off guy.
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Post by dlinestud on Jul 27, 2009 21:17:11 GMT -5
True- you'd like to think your ko cover guys are a bit faster than those front liners on kor team..
One drill we do early in year is start kids on sideline every 5 yds. apart down from each other. They will run on their line and "get around" the first guy they come to about 10 yds away, then immediately get back on their line. Then on to the next guy, then the next... Trying to instill the concept of getting back in their "lanes" after contact. We then breakdown on a coach/ballcarrier and shuffle with him.
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Post by CoachJoe on Jul 28, 2009 21:45:10 GMT -5
We've done a similar drill, only difference we run around the first guy, and blow the second guy up, square, since we teach that you can't run around the second guy. Another variation, a little more realistic, is to run around the first guy, and set up a wedge of blockers so that they can close, keeping the ball on the inside shoulder and not crossing their lanes. The 2nd line guys are holding shields by the way, although it can still get pretty physical.
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Post by dlinestud on Jul 28, 2009 21:53:18 GMT -5
Good idea Joe.
I also realize our need to rep "shocking-n-Shedding" a 2nd guy instead of just blowing through/around him. I think this is why we catch'em running by the BC so often.
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Post by unofpayek on May 19, 2019 22:20:08 GMT -5
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