WILDCAT FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS

EAGAN SPECIAL TEAMS SYSTEM

More games are lost due to the kicking game than are won. Although the kicking
game may seem simple enough, the reverse is often true. The kicking game is an area in
which the big error is more evident than is good execution. Therefore we must prepare
ourselves for any complications that may occur on the field well before they happen.
Player study and attention to detail during practice sessions will minimize any errors that
occur. We will strive, through excellent special teams play, to maximize our field position
(hidden yardage), to have the ability to maintain the game’s momentum or change it in
our favor and put us in a position to win the close games.
The special teams system of our team is, of course, tied in with what we learn
from film study of our opponents. Throughout the preparation for our opponents, we will
scheme to take advantage of our strengths and our opponents’ weaknesses. Proper
preparation and practice time in the special teams phase will provide us with an
advantage over our opponents.

The 5 P’s of Special Teams

1) PRIDE : We will pride ourselves on having the best special teams in the Lake
Conference, Section 5AAAAA and the state of Minnesota.
2) PREPARATION : We will study film to know our opponents and work hard
every day in practice to achieve the level of execution that is necessary to excel.
3) PHYSICAL PLAY : We will be as aggressive as the rules allow in order to send
a message to our opponents and to establish the tone of the game.
4) POISE : We will remain calm and execute when the pressure is on, secure in the
knowledge that we have prepared better than our opponents. We will execute
properly in key moments of the game, and never take dumb penalties.
5) PURPOSE : We will understand the concepts and expected outcome of each
special teams play in order to make the most of every down in each game.

KICKOFF – GOAL : No return past our 25 yard line

We will kickoff from the middle of the field or either hash. When kicking from
the hash, the kicker must place the ball between the hash and the sideline. Priorities for
the kicker are, in order, 1) placement, 2) height, 3) depth. Our coverage pattern is a 4-4-3
defense fitted on the ball wherever it goes. MAINTAIN LEVERAGE - DO NOT
ALLOW THE BALL TO BREAK THE CUP. The outside men in the first wave move in
as fast as they can at 45 degree angles. Inside men in the first wave aim at halves of the
ballcarrier. The ball cannot go between them. If the return is a wedge, it is their job to
blow it up. The second wave moves in with the same relative relationship, but with a
slightly different attitude. The second wave should come to balance 4-6 yards from the
ball. The third wave should come to balance 10-12 yards from the ball. The two outside
men should work to a 45 degree position on the ballcarrier’s outside shoulder; the middle
safety should stay square with and mirror the returner. During the first 20 yards (Speed
Zone) all blocks should be avoided, while getting back on track as quickly as possible.
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During the next 10 yards (Read Zone), avoid blocks when possible by dipping and
ripping with the inside arm; whenever blocks must be taken on, they must be attacked
with the inside shoulder. From the opponents' 30 yard line in, all blocks must be taken on
(Contact Zone.)

Example form LEFT HASH ALIGNMENT

BALL

1 2 1 2 K 1 2 1 2 3 3

MIDDLE ALIGNMENT
3 2 1 2 1 K 1 2 1 2 3

Pursuit angles are normal defensive angles. When the ball moves toward the
sideline, the outside men must maintain the proper leverage to ensure the ball cannot go
outside. Outside men on the opposite must squeeze the ball so it cannot come back across
the field.
Speed is important; intent to make a tackle is more important. We want to have a
combination of SPEED and READ As you attack downfield, read the end man on your
side of the front line. If he drops straight back, the return is being set to your side.
If he goes inside, the return is middle or away from you. Secondly, cover ground with
your head on a swivel, determining who is going to attempt to block you. Remember to
avoid blocks until it becomes necessary to take one on.
We do not stay in coverage lanes; our waves are designed to stay in relative
leverage positions on the ball. At any point after 20 yards, film review should show the
kickoff team with eleven men in their proper coverage pattern.
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After the kicker gives instructions in the huddle, he will raise his hand to get the
ready for play whistle. He will then turn back to the huddle and call, “ Ready, break!”
Everyone will clap hands and run to their proper alignment. Players will face the kicker
with hands on knees, front foot on the 30 yardline. The kicker will call, “Ready!”, and the
return team will repeat, “Ready!” As the kicker approaches the ball, turn and sprint
upfield – stay onside! Players should be in the proper relationship with the ball in 15-20
yards.

HUDDLE (L.HASH) HUDDLE (MIDDLE) HUDDLE (R. HASH)

K K K
1 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1
2 1 2 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 3 3 2 1 2

ONSIDE KICK
When we are in an onside kick situation, we will employ two kickers. The
assigned kicker will determine which side has the best chance of success. If going to the
left, the keys to a successful onside situation are a well-executed kick that gets width (aim
for the #s) and a big hop at 8-9 yards and aggressively blocking assigned men to allow
the designated recovery men an opportunity. The RK is assigned to ball as well. We must
beat the ball to the 50 yardline to make our blocks. If it is determined that we have
superior numbers or great leverage, we will kick to the right. The RK will kick a slow
roller, aiming outside the numbers. The three men to the right will block, and both kickers
will be on the ball.

#2 #4 #6 #3 #1
#1 #3 #5 #7 #2

- -
- -
- -

#1 B #2 #3 #4 #5 #3 #2 #1
(Ball) RK LK

KAMIKAZE ONSIDE
This is our surprise onside kick If we see a weakness through scheme or personnel, we
can onside kick at a point in the game when it is not expected. We will break the huddle
 WILDCAT FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS
and, after lining up, the kicker hits a slow dribbler that will go only 10-11 yards. The
kicker and 3’s will recover the kick while everyone else blocks an assigned man. The
blockers must beat the ball 10 yards, and must not get hit by the ball.

X X X X X Inside 1’s – Block Center

Inside 2, Outside 1 – Block G
Outside 2 – Block Tackle
3 2 1 2 1 K 1 2 1 2 3 3’s – Follow ball

KICKOFF RETURN – Goal: Return past 35 yardline

Return Right/Left
The basic concept of the Right/Left return is to create an alley for the return man by
making blocks at the proper angle, as close to the return man as possible. If we block our
assignment too early, it is possible for the opponent to either work off the block or get up
and still make the play. The return is based on man blocks, assigned by numbering the
kickoff team from the side of the call. It is not necessary to make a crushing block that
knocks your man to the ground. This opportunity will often present itself when you
“ambush” your man, however, good technique is to stalk your man with your back to the
alley. It is important that the returner, and the other backs if possible, stem straight up the
field before breaking to where the alley will occur. Most of the time we will return to the
short side of the field if a team kicks from the hash. The two outside men will not be
blocked – they are too far removed to make the play. If the outside men on the call side
cross, the PST and PSE must switch responsibilities.

(See next page)

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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T G C G T

E E

6 5
9 8 3
7
F 4

2 1

H H

PUNT – GOAL: Return Average Less Than 5

We will use the Rugby Punt alignment in order to: 1) Reduce opponents’ returns 2) Put
pressure on opponents’ return unit 3) Take advantage of our athleticism. The first priority
is sound, solid protection.
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Y T G S G T 1
W 3 2

P
ALIGNMENTS:
OL/Y– 2 foot splits, except RG – 1 foot. Left foot up, 2 point stance with hands on thigh
boards – straight back, head up, eyes on gap to your right.
WB – 1 x 1 on Y, shoulders parallel to LOS
#1 – Middle of Field – Split #s and sideline; Near Hash – 3 yards from sideline; Far Hash
- #s
#3 – 6 yards from tackle
#2 – Split #1 and #2
P – 10 yards, behind Right Guard

ASSIGNMENTS:
WB – Shuffle motion, responsible for wide rush – release to secondary outside contain
OL – Slide-shuffle 2 steps right – responsible for gap to your right – your nose to next
man outside’s nose – release to 2nd wave coverage: Snapper directly to ball, G’s 5 yards
outside ball, T’s 10 yards outside ball – GET OUT AND RUN!
#1 – Run Comeback 3 yards past sticks – if punt, outside contain
#2 – Release directly to ball w/ outside leverage
#3 - Release directly to ball w/inside leverage
Y– Release inside last man to outside contain
P – Minimum of 2 steps right – punter always has CHOICE to punt, run or pass unless
another call is made. Punt MUST be between numbers and sideline.
CALLS:
Red is the hot color – any other color, no matter what word is added, is CHOICE.
PETER: Punt – no matter what
CHARLIE: Choice – punter makes read and punts, runs or passes.
FREDDIE: Flood route by trips receivers
WALLY – Wing Arrow, #3 seals edge, wing rubs under #2 & #1
SCOTTY – Screen to #1 – our #2 blocks #1 defender, our #3 blocks #2 defender
WANDA – Punter Sweep to WEAK side

PUNT RETURN – GOAL: Catch Every Punt

We will return punts with the defense that is on the field, with the possible exception of
substituting a returner and the nose. We will only have one man back to receive kicks –
the ball must be caught! We will go after most punts hard with three men. Any return
yardage we pick up is simply a bonus. If the punt is so poor that it is uncatchable, call,
“Peter” to alert the rest of the team to find the ball and stay away from it.
RETURN RIGHT/LEFT (Roger/Louie)
The call will be made in the direction of the return, with the block coming from the
opposite direction.
ASSIGNMENTS:
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Block side 3: Align head up – inside hand down. Key the ball – dip and rip – get skinny.
Bend to the block point – take the ball off the punter’s foot. If the punt is away, continue
on arc to set wall. Look inside and only block in the direction of the return.
Return side 3: Align very slight outside shade. 1) PIN – get off the ball fast and
violently, punch and separate to PIN your man inside. 2) RIDE – pull inside hand off
your assignment – get your eyes on his near hip and keep them there. This is the last
serious contact you will have until 20-25 yards downfield. 3) LIFT – when he breaks
down you break down – sink hips and get under his pads. Strike upward to LIFT his
center of gravity. You MUST maintain contact after strike.
Block side C – maintain inside leverage – stay between gunner and the ball.
Return side C – Maintain outside leverage – you are the key block to get to the wall. DO
NOT BLOCK IN THE BACK.
Nose - Align 3 yards off the ball in Return side A gap. Use PIN, RIDE & LIFT technique
on snapper – you must wait to strike until he is in a position to block. Key snapper and PP
for fake.
Hawk – Align 3 yards off the ball in Block side A gap. First responsibility is Block side
wing – once you determine he is not part of a fake, work to help Nose with snapper.
Returner: whenever possible, stem upfield before cutting to the wall to set up the wall’s
blocks.
P

O O
O O O C O O O
S M E E W B
H N
C C

RETURN MIDDLE (Mike)

The Middle Return is used as a change-up to our block/wall returns. Everyone in the front
will use PIN/RIDE/LIFT technique with inside leverage.
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ASSIGNMENTS
Ends: Inside shade on guard. You are the A Gap player. Hold up the guard - once the kick
is away turn and run on his inside hip. You are responsible to block the guard away from
the middle of the field.
Will/Mike: Outside Shade on the tackle. You are the C Gap player. Hold up the tackle,
then force him to release outside. Turn and run on his inside hip, blocking him away from
the middle of the field.
Nose/Hawk: Align at 4 yards over B Gap. You have fake recognition responsibility. The
center is almost always the key for a fake – if he doesn’t try to free release, it’s likely a
fake. Hawk is responsible for PP on pass fake. Hawk and Will double team the snapper
on free release. If late release, Nose takes snapper and Hawk takes PP.
Sam/Buck: Outside shade on the wing. You are responsible for D Gap, and pass
coverage on the wing. Force outside release and stay between your man and the ball,
blocking him away from the middle of the field.
Corners: Inside leverage on the splits – stay between your man and the ball.
Returner: Bring the ball straight up the middle of the punting formation. Wait as long as
possible to make a cut.
P

O O
O O O C O O O
S M E E W B
H N
C C

PAT/FIELD GOAL – GOAL: 100% Success

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6 inch splits in the line, 2 point stance. Wings’inside foot is directly behind ends’ inside
foot, facing out at a thirty degree angle. Outside foot is up. Silent snap after holder’s
“ready” call. At the snap, punch to inside gap with eyes and inside arm, but do not chase.
Blind punch straight ahead with outside arm. Stay square and stay big.Wing must attempt
to disrupt path of outside rusher - if there is a threat in inside gap, outside arm punch
should be out at 45 degrees.

PIRATE (Legalized Stealing)

On the right hash:
Rt TE (on the LOS)
Rt W (on the 10 yard line even with the H)
On the ball:
Sn (at a 45 degree angle between H and the Scrum)
**H (on the 10 yard line)
On the left hash moving out with 1’ splits:
Rt T Rt G Lt T Lt G Lt TE, Lt W – 2 yards off LOS behind the Rt G)
**K – off LOS, about 1x2 from Lt TE

LE LT LG RG RT Sn RE
K LW

H RW

All About Numbers (and anyone in between is in no man’s land and is not counted!)

RIGHT = Option (Pass) with H and Rt W in pitch relationship (EAST COAST)

RE blocks down on first threat and rolls to back corner of the endzone

LEFT = Snap to the Scrum (WEST COAST)

If the Lt W can’t score behind the wedge blocking, throw up a jump ball to the K
who settles in behind the D players who have to stepped up to fill vs. the wedge

BUCCANEER
Is an alignment with K on the LOS and the Rt TE off the LOS making the Sn a legal
receiver (# dependent)
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K LE LT LG RG RT Sn
RW RE

H RW

Right: On Option (Pass) the Snapper curls low in an open void 1 yard into the end zone.

PAT BLOCK

Will: shuffle wider at snap, play wing man-to- man.

Mike: back out pre-snap, play end man-to-man
Left End: attack end; don’t let him off the LOS
Buck: attack wing; don’t let him off LOS
Left Corner: contain
Right End: at snap, move to contain
Falcon: key movement and drive through outside shoulder of tackle to block
point. Affect the TE by your path.
Hawk/C: crowd the ball; key movement; get through the gap; flatten out and
leave feet for the block point.

W M S

CHF E T E BC
OOOCOOO

O O