Special Ops. New Spin on the Kicking Game

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Special Ops.

A New Spin on the Kicking Game

3-16-09



Your Attitude as a coach towards

Special Teams will determine how

successful you will be!





Background

2003- Waterford Kettering H.S.( Freshmen volunteer)

Wide receivers coach

2004- Waterford Kettering H.S. (Freshmen Head coach)

2005-Waterford Mott H.S. (Freshmen volunteer)

Special teams coordinator / Wide receivers coach

2006-Present Waterford Mott H.S. Varsity coachSpecial teams coordinator / Wide receivers coach



Advice

“Be honest with them and treat them fairly”

Marv LevyBuffalo Bills

3-18-1998

“They don’t care what you know, until they know that

you care”

Marvin Lewis

Cincinnati Bengals

9-15-2003



How much time do you spend on specials?

How much time do you spend on film break

down, scouting reports, or scout team? What

about kickers, punters, and snappers?

You only have a few plays to shine. You can

not expect to be successful in this phase of thegame if you do not put the time in.



Organizational Guide

1-Great support staff (spouse, family, friends, coaches)

2-Head Coach Involvement- Must take active role in the operations,

attend meetings, and assist in weekly game plan. Without the head

coach actively involved, it becomes very difficult to sell the

importance of special teams to the players.



Great special teams can not be executed without the dedicated help of the

other assistant coaches. Each coach on the staff should be assigned a

individual position on each unit to coach.

The special teams coordinator should coach up the staff on what

techniques he wants to use on each unit or play; utilize each coach’sability, as it relates to the units.

It is very important that each coach is “visually” participating in all

parts of the preparation phase of the special teams units. The more the

players see how important special teams play is to each coach, the

greater the sense of urgency they will play with.

3-Staff Organization



Special Ops. Assignments and Responsibilities

General Coach

Personal Head Coach and coordinator

Game – day decisions Head Coach and coordinatorSpecial team coordinator Coach:

Game-day substitutions Coordinator

Timing (practice) Coaches and kickers

Charting (practice) Coaches and kickers

Punters Coach:

Kickers Coach:

Kickoff returners Coach:

Punt returners Coach:

Holders Coach:

Short snappers Coach:

Long snappers Coach:Goal charts, grading, big plays,

Scouting reports, and strategy Coordinator



4-Personnel

Put the BEST of the BEST on special teams. Hold try outs for each unit.

Have two squads for every unit and mix up the personnel. Rep the #2’snot just the #1’s

This area is too important to play with. A special teams player has to

show the coaches he has a P.H.D. All the schemes in the world do not

matter if the players can not execute. It’s about the Jimmies and Joes

Remember, special teams are a specialized phase of the game, so eachunit should require specialized players.



5-Meeting Preparation

Time- It is very important to thoroughly prepare for each meeting to

ensure you are communicating all information.

Film- Should show only exactly what the player needs to see. If your on

the punt block unit then only show the opponents punt unit. Showeverything about them. What keys does the opponent give away?

Use the meeting to explain exactly what you are going to do, how they

are going to do it, and why it is going to work. Make sure all the staff

members that are involved in that unit are in the meeting room and it

starts on time.



6-Practice Organization

Do not waste a rep or a second waiting for everyone to get set or the

scout team to get ready. Everyone must be ready to go on the horn. Theplayers and coaches all have to move. KNOW YOUR JOB. It is very

important to script exactly what you want to do every second of the

period.

A-What Unit?-What Day?First decision, what unit? What day? Which ever unit you decide on, you

must be consistent every week. Make a practice chart for each day/ week

so the players know what is being done on what day, at what time and

what unit. What drill, how many times, what time? Post it in the locker

room.





D- Practice Evaluation-This area is sometimes over looked and not focused on as it should be.

You must evaluate your units and correct any areas that need

improvements; focusing on schemes, personnel, strengths, and

weaknesses. Review evaluation with units and correct any mistakes. Use

film cut ups and charts. If you can film practice, do it.



You only have one chance on special teams play! The result could be

devastating to your team or your opponent. Players must know their role

and do their own job. They must believe that they are going to make the

big play and change the out come of the game. It is important to create

focus and energy immediately before the unit hits the field.

Players must visualize themselves making the big hit, tackle, or block.

They must know they are part of a unique group of men.

7-Players Mind Set



Must have a well prepared and easy to read game plan and depth chart

Asst. coach should have back up charts. (Who’s counting 11 men)

Make sound aggressive decisions without sacrificing sound football

principles. Play inside the rules.

Make sure the coaching staff is organized and know their assignments.Pre- game walk-thru.

Make sure the eyes in the press box know exactly what you want and are

looking for.

Be ready to make adjustments for the unknown, formations/player you

have not seen.

Anticipate potential problems on every unit. You should think what if?

8-Game Day Decisions



It is important to recognize great effort and executions.

It is especially important to recognize them in front of their peers.

We name a Special Ops. Player of the Week. They receive a Special Ops.

pin, shirt, and their picture is displayed in the locker room.

We also have a Special Ops. Goal chart that tracks the progress of each

unit for every game. Individual stats and grading system is done on a

weekly/yearly basis for each unit and player.

Weekly and yearly game stats are posted in the locker room.

You must look at every player on all units, not only the specialist.

9-Reward Performance



Special Ops. Hit List

Unit

Kamikaze………………………………. LOS 25 or back, no returns for TDs

Recon…………………………………...TD or LOS 35 or better

Bomb Squad…………………………… .Hold opponent to avg. 10 yd return

Great protection

No Blocks and penetration

TNT………………………………………Block punt

Scoop and score

Avg. 15 yd return

PAT/FG…………………………………...100% PATs

90% inside the 30 ydl

Great protection



Special Ops. Player of the Week

August 28, 2008 in a battle of field position. Tony Romero punted

for 216 yds averaging 35.83yds in the WIN over WL John Glenn



You must evaluate your self every year, study what you did well,

what you did poorly, and research a way to improve. Learn new drills,

techniques, schemes, and formations. You must study the game. Call

other coaches and ask questions. Find a system that works for you and

that you feel confident with. Learn everything about every position on all

the units.

Commitment to special teams takes more then lip service. You must

commit fully to it. If we all know how important field position is, then

why do we spend only 15 minutes on specials?

10-Evaluation



Special Teams Decision Making Flow Chart

Develop a Special Teams Philosophy

Select a Style of Special Teams Play to Meet

Your Philosophy

(aggressive or conservative)

Identify Individual Special Team Objectives

Organize Implementation of Your Special Teams System



Special Ops. Philosophy

We are offensive minded, using different formations and misdirection to

cause confusion with protection & blocking schemes. Our schemes are

designed to keep constant pressure on our opponent and keep them

unbalanced. We are always in a hurry up tempo.

Our objective is to take control of the kicking game by being technically

& fundamentally sound, with a clear understanding of the how, when,

where, and why of all special teams play

We are not striving to be GOOD, We are going to be the BEST!



Special Team PhilosophyAggressive or Conservative Style?

A. Are you an attack unit that will put constant pressure on ouropponents to execute their special teams effectively? Are you

only looking to contribute to winning the game, or to actually win

the game. Do you want to be the equalizer? (OR)

B. Do you play to establish field position with a make no errorapproach.

Knowing what you believe in will allow you to be consistent in coaching and teaching

your philosophy. The worst thing you can do is to choose a philosophy and then coach

and teach another depending on the situation. Do not be afraid to make a mistake; teachto prevent them.

What we see on the field is an exact representation of what we allow to happen. Slow

it down, teach techniques, and study every position on every unit and do not let the

little errors go unnoticed. Sweat the small details.



What Type of Coach Am I?How do you want your special teams (Aggressive or Conservative)?

1- Am I a risk taker or do I take the conservative approach?

2- Am I willing to put the offense or defense in bad field position in

exchange for a big play?

3- Do I want to score, set up a score, or simply get the ball back form the

opponent?

4- How much time am I willing to spend teaching special teams?

5- Am I willing to use my BEST players on special teams?

Wh T f C h A I?



What Type of Coach Am I?How do you want your special teams (Aggressive or Conservative

6- Do I believe I can win with special teams and defense?

7- How important do I feel field position is in winning a football game?

8- Am I willing to use trick plays or surprise plays on special teams?

9- Do I want to win the special teams battle against my opponent, orsimply not have the special teams hurt the football team?

10- Do I have confidence in my punters and kickers ability?



Special Teams Objective

Objectives must be clear and concise on what you are emphasizing on.

You must preach these objectives every practice , walk-through, in each

unit, in meetings, before a game, in the game.

Kamikaze Unit:

Goal: Hold opponent inside or at their 25 ydl

Objective: Be aggressive, gang tackle, avoid front line, stay in coveragelanes , all out sprint down field.



Implementation of Special TeamsMeet with team to discuss special teams philosophy

1-Create Playbook

2-Unit drills (schedule) who, when, how

3-Daily / weekly practice schedule

4-2-A-day am/pm schedule – (pre-game set up/warm up (spec-1)

5-Walk-through schedule (situations chart)

6-Coaches Responsibilities (who, what, when, where)

7-Kicking and punting (daily, weekly, yearly program)

I l i f S i l T



Implementation of Special Teams

8-Special teams goal / objectives (set with team)

9-Game plan sheet

10-Depth chart (2 copies) coordinator & asst. coach

11-Scouting report/ film breakdown (who, when) DVD cut up

12- Stats & video (who is responsible for them?) video must be recorded

perfect no mistakes

13-Grading system



Special Teams Into Special Ops.

When- Game 3 of our 2006 season

Why- To keep the game fun and exciting, and to

build team unity

How- Talked to kids, coaches, friends, and

family input

S i l T I t S i l O



Special Teams Into Special Ops.What did we do?

1- Recreated names of all units

2- Renamed all plays to fit Military lingo

3-Add Unit commanders (SOCOM)

4- 2-a-days & off season kicking and punting programs

5-Weekly & yearly awards

6- Special Ops. wall (with posters)

S i l T I t S i l O



Special Teams Into Special Ops.

7- Tee shirts

8- Weekly Units / Specialist stats posted/ Grades

9- Weekly/daily unit meetings

10-Weekly/yearly Operations

11-Weekly scouting reports and film cut up

12- Dog tags, & Special Ops. helmet stickers

13 United States Army sponsorship

h i k



What it took

1- Talked to the players and asked them what they

liked and didn’t like about special teams

2- Each week we added a little something new(formation, new play, or a new play name)

3- Complete focus on each unit everyday and every

player in that unit.



4- Emphasize on teaching with repetition forcing

perfection with a clear understanding of the rules

and consequences.

5- Last, we asked for some help from the United States

Army. They are at home games, practices, & host

our boot camps. They supply us with tee shirts, bags,

water bottles, and Special Ops. player of the week

pins. They support and help the coaching staff.

What did all this do? It made football FUN and

brought the team together as one unit through

respect and honor for each other.

“The kids want to be on special teams ” Schmidt said “I think that’s



By KEITH DUNLAP

Of The Oakland Press

The kids want to be on special teams, Schmidt said. I think that s

reflective on what we’ve done the last two years. They’ve taken pride

in it. It seems like every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is an

audition for who’s going to get on the kickoff team or returns. It’s

always a battle.”

“You’re used to just the basic stuff, but by having the names, it gives

you a sense of duty,” said Mott senior Andrew Chocianowicz, who’sbeen a member of Mott’s special teams for the past four years.

“There’s sort of more meaning. Before on kickoffs, everyone just

thought on a kickoff, you just go down there and it’s all lollygagging.

We’re a lot more into it.”

S h t i it ll b t?



So what is it all about?

It comes down to doing YOUR job and trusting that the guy next to you

has the same Relentless Passion for winning that you do.

Being a chosen member of the Special Ops. Units is all about trust and

accountability for the unit and team.

Ultimately, it is about living for each other because when the bodies start

to fly all we have is each other.



Characteristics that must be demonstrated

in a Special Ops. Member

1- Unselfish 2- Dependable

3- Passionate 4- Accountable

5- Committed 6- Trustworthy

7- Attitude 8- Intelligence



WE SET THE TONE!





OCTOBER-24-2008

SPECIAL OPS.

SET THE TONE!







SPECIAL OPS.

WE HAVE YOUIN OUR SIGHTS!





United State Army



United State Army

Army Boot Camp/Hell Week



Army Boot Camp/Hell Week

Boot Camp 2008



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Boot Camp 2008

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Special Ops. New Spin on the Kicking Game