Kicking Coach
The Punt of No Return – Part 2
Apr 13th
10 KEYS to OPTIMUM PUNT COVERAGE
By Rick Sang – Director
Ray Guy Prokicker.com Kicking Camps
Legendary NFL punter Ray Guy learned early-on in his career the importance of keeping the ball up in the air. He knew it was not only harder to catch a towering punt, but more importantly it allowed his teammates the extra time needed to cover it, and therefore minimize any chance of a return. He began mastering his technique as a young athlete by punting the ball over the high power lines behind his boyhood home. While most kids try to see how far they can kick it, Ray wanted to see how high. His practice paid off. And after a legendary career at the University of Southern Mississippi (that led him to becoming the first punter ever to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame), Ray Guy became the first punter ever taken in the first round of an NFL Draft.
“I was never much on hang time until we got Ray. But then we started clocking how long his punt hung up in the air. Sometimes he kept it up there as long as six seconds!”
- John Madden, ABC Monday Night Football/ Former Coach
Ray Guy makes a one-handed save of a bad snap in the Super Bowl
Hang time is extremely important to the coverage team, yet there is still a lot more to it than that. If you really break it down, you need to have a very accurate and timely snap, you need great protection, and you need quick, rhythmic get-off times. The punter has to be a good athlete. He must make up for any challenges faced during the snap-to-kick sequence insuring that every ball is handled and punted without being blocked…no matter what happens.
In order to have tremendously effective coverage, the punter must direct the flight of the ball to a position on the field that minimizes any chance of a return. This strategy is developed through coaching philosophy, the study of opponent’s personnel; return tendencies, as well as knowing necessary game-day adjustments. Therefore the punter should have a “specific target” in mind every time he called on to perform…and through Special Teams preparedness, the destination of the punt will be no secret to the coverage team.
“He (Ray Guy) was an expert in the arcane area of ‘hang time,’ the precious time the ball was in the air, allowing the coverage to assemble around the returner. If you accept the idea of physics that there is only so much energy to propel a kick, Guy was willing to sacrifice distance for height.-
-Greg Garber, Author of “Inside Football” – Award Winning Investigative Sports Journalist and ESPN Football Commentator
The Keys (6 to 10) to Optimum Punt Coverage – Continued from The Punt of No Return - Part 1
6) COMMUNICATE OBJECTIVES
There must be a purpose to every punt and it needs to be communicated. The punter can instill tremendous confidence in his team by being so consistent that he is predictable. And by knowing the specific objectives of every punt the coverage team will be prepared and markedly more effective. This preparedness can be developed though coaching philosophy, focused repetitions, the study of the opponent’s personnel; return tendencies, as well as game-day adjustments.
7) ACCURATE, TIMELY SNAPS
Practically every play in the kicking game (except the kickoff) starts with the snapper. No matter what level of play – the snap time needs to be near the .8 range or slightly faster. This is the optimum time for both speed and accuracy. Even though the distance the punter aligns behind the snapper varies at different athletic levels (high school-12 yards / college and pro-14 to 15 yards) the needed snap time remains the same. Since the snapper becomes more proficient as he advances to the next level, he basically maintains the same snap time by offsetting the added distance with increased snap-speed.
8) QUICK, RHYTHMIC GET-OFF TIMES
Coaches need to time their punters constantly. The goal is not to get the ball away as fast as possible, but to hit a mark—2.0 to 2.1 (college and pro) 2.1 to 2.2 (high school).
Punters should be continually timed not only to get the ball off quickly, but also to enable the development of a proper rhythm and thus improve consistency. There is such a thing of getting a ball off too quickly when it is not necessary. If the punter is timed regularly, he will know his ideal time and therefore maximize effectiveness every time he punts.
It’s also important to time a punter’s hand to foot (touch to toe) time. By starting the watch the instant the ball makes contact with his hands and stopping it the moment the foot makes contact with the ball a true measure of his get-off ability can be recorded. (The optimum mark should be 1.2 to 1.3 for college and pro and 1.3 to 1.4 for high school).
It is crucial that punters be timed during games to insure times are consistent. This will also enable the coach to keep the entire punt team accountable if the punt is ever close to being blocked. (If the get-off time is good then it is likely the protection needs to do a better job). The bottom line is this: The punter has to be a good athlete. He must make up for any challenges faced during the snap-to-kick sequence insuring that every ball is handled and punted without being blocked…no matter what happens.
SNAP TIME .75-.8
HAND-TO FOOT TIME 1.25-1.3
OPTIMAL GET-OFF TIME 2.0 – 2.1 seconds
9) DECISIVE PROTECTION
Every player involved in protecting the punter must know the overall objective of the punt and be decisive about whom they are going to block. Once the ball is snapped the transition from protection to coverage must be quick, rhythmic, and flawless. Through repetition, and timing, the punt team can develop “an inner clock” by working together in unison knowing at the moment the snap begins there is no more than 2.1 seconds before the ball begins its flight toward it’s predetermined destination. During this time each protector needs to know they must be diligent in their responsibility not to allow any penetration beyond the block point area (approximately 10 yards). And for only two seconds every player is accountable in determining whether the punt is successfully advanced down field. This simple fact of each player knowing exactly what they are assigned to do in just a brief moment is powerful and effective in itself. This is just another reason why it is so important to time everything whether it is during a game or at practice. It puts everyone on the clock and therefore everyone is accountable!
10) QUICK, ADJUSTING COVERAGE
When every member of the coverage team knows their specific assignment, the timing involved, and the overall objective of every punt, they naturally become more efficient with every move. This is the exact moment where confidence developed through preparation pays off. They will protect effectively, they will release quicker, and they will cover with more speed knowing exactly where the ball is headed and the purpose of the punt. This will only enhance the coverage team’s field of vision allowing them to be alert for blocking patterns and return schemes. They will even be able to read the reaction of the return man knowing all the options he has and being prepared for his every move. Each man on the coverage team needs to adjust to the anticipated flight of the ball, maintain spacing, keep the returner contained, and prepare for breakdown all in preparation for sure tackling (and to be in position for any turnovers).
At the very moment the football is snapped it only takes seven seconds for eleven men – to work together as a cohesive unit with a common goal; knowing each are accountable and have the responsibility to dedicate all of their prepared ability for “the punt of no return.” Again – it only takes seven seconds – two seconds for the ball to be snapped and punted and five seconds of hang time. Every player on the punt coverage team can dig out seven more seconds!
The Punt of No Return – part 1
Apr 12th
Ray Guy
10 KEYS to OPTIMUM PUNT COVERAGE
By Rick Sang – Director
Ray Guy Prokicker.com Kicking Camps
Ray Guy is considered the greatest punter in the history of the National Football League, yet through a 14 year professional career he does not have the record for the most punting titles, he does not have the record for the longest punt, and he does not have the best career punting average (he’s not even listed in the top 20). So why is it, when you ask who is the greatest quarterback, running back, receiver or any other position for that matter, football fans and experts can debate numerous names with such passion, yet when you ask any one of them who is the greatest punter of all time…? The answer without hesitation is … Ray Guy.
Really good punters may not always lead the league in punting average but they always strive to punt in the way that benefits the team. The one phenomenal achievement that separated Ray Guy from all the rest is that he never had a punt returned on him for a touchdown…NEVER!
Now how was this accomplished?
1) PRECISION PLACEMENT
The punter needs to know the game situation, the alignment of the opponents and the direction in which he wants to punt the ball (target area). Every time the ball is punted (during practice or in a game) the ball needs to be directed toward a specific target. Only then, can a punter truly develop consistent, accurate control and placement.
2) MAXIMIZE HANG TIME
Hang time – Ray Guy invented it. John Madden is quoted saying that ”Ray sometimes kept the football up in the air for as long as six seconds!” Ray’s secret was knowing specifically where he wanted to place the footall. He was a master at it. And he knew that by selecting an exact target, the punter can focus his entire punting motion in that direction, thus maximizing hang time. Beginning with the initial step, everything – steps, hips, shoulders, leg swing, punting foot, and follow-through – should be done in a direct line with and square to (facing) the target. The forward motion of the body moving in a direct line will ensure the generation of maximum power and control. Proper mechanics can also be determined when the punter aligns with his target from start to finish. NOTE: OPTIMUM HANG TIME 4.0 OR BETTER (HIGH SCHOOL), 4.5 OR BETTER (COLLEGE AND PRO).
3) OPTIMIZE DISTANCE
A common practice by the truly great punters is to “sacrifice distance for hang time.” It’s not about how far you can punt, its how effective. A high gross punting average is not the goal; its punting in the manner that most benefits the team! And if you truly want to enhance hang time, the secret is to optimize the distance the ball travels in the air. Consider this: A football punted 45 yards with 4.0 hang time is likely to be caught and returned (let’s say for 5 yards). Another ball is punted for 40 yards with a 4.5 hang time and it is likely to be caught but NOT returned (The coverage team simply has more time and less distance to travel). Both punts finish with the same net distance (40 yards) but it was the second punt that was most effective because there was NO return. And if there was NO return that means there was NO chance whatsoever for one to be returned all the way! So if you want to have the most effective punt coverage team, you will want to lead in two main statistical categories; net punting and Percentage of punts NOT returned. By setting these two objectives for your team you will see a dramatic change in your coverage.
4) MINIMIZE THE COVERAGE AREA
Always be prepared to direct the flight of the ball to a specific area that would minimize the coverage area and allow the cover team to quickly “blanket” the return man. Take advantage of the closest sideline when the ball is placed on or near the hash. If the ball is positioned in the middle of the field, (or anytime there is an overload or you feel there is too much pressure coming from the outside) then consider punting the ball straight downfield with maximum hang time and optimum distance. Remember; when you combine precision placement with maximum hang time, and optimum distance, your coverage team can cover everywhere on the field effectively!
5) CHALLENGE THE RETURN MAN
To control returns and minimize big plays you must challenge the return man. It’s tough enough catching a high towering punt, but when you add strategically placed punts to the mix; he has a lot more to think about. For instance if the ball is near midfield and on the hash, instead of punting out of bounds (or in to the end zone), aim for a specific target well outside the numbers on the 10 yard line. The objective is to obtain maximum hang time with an optimum punt of near 40 yards and no farther. By positioning the ball in this tight proximity the punt returner would have to make a decision to catch the ball or let it go; if he let’s it go, it will hang long enough to be downed by the coverage team or the flight path may allow the ball to continue on out of bounds (well inside the 20 yard line). If the return man decides to catch it, he will not have much room to work with because of the placement of the punt near the sideline. And by combining effective placement with hang time you have virtually eliminated any return. (Not to mention there is always a chance for the ball to be mishandled by the return man). The goal: 40 yard punt; no return; field position inside the 20 (or better).
Keys 6-10 will be covered in Part – 2 of “The Punt of No Return.”
Timing is everything – when it comes to the kicking game!
Apr 12th
A KICK IS BLOCKED! It’s recovered by the defense on your side of the 50 or even worse, it rolls into the end zone for an easy opponent touchdown. It may even be an extra point or a field goal that cost you a game. We are sure of one thing.
It must have been the kicker!
After all, it is called the kicking game so the problem must be the kicker. That’s what every one automatically thinks.
EVEN THE COACHES! The actual truth is the kicker is not at fault most of the time – yet he gets the blame almost 100% of the time. The true Special Teams Coach realizes the kicking game, both punt and kick, includes many elements and the actual kick is only one of them.
ELEMENTS OF THE KICKING GAME
- THE SNAP
- THE HOLD
- THE PROTECTION
- THE KICK
It’s easy to see that a blocked kick or punt could be the result of many problems. One of the definitions of COACHING is the identification and correction of mistakes. So before you can correct a problem you have to properly identify it.
IT’S NOT ALWAYS THE KICKER!
Actually most times its not. This is why the stop watch is a critical piece of equipment for the Special Teams Coach.
The clipboard and the whistle have long been accepted as standard coaching equipment but the stopwatch has achieved equal status in the modern world of High Tech Football. Coaches have long been aware that one of the best ways to spice up practice and drills is to add a stopwatch and the element of competition against time. Special Teams Coaches who have to deal with concepts such as hang times and get off times have learned the value of constant practice timing. A precision kicking game demands it.
Most coaches don’t actually know what a good “get off” time is for punts or kicks.
KICKERS
The total time from snap-to-kick should be 1.25 to 1.4 seconds for high school. 1.25 to 1.3 for college and pro.
PUNTERS
The optimum time for punting includes:
Center Snap .8 seconds seconds for high school. .7 to .75 for college and pro (15 yards).
Handling Time (hand to foot) 1.3 seconds for high school. 1.2 to 1.3 seconds for college and pro.
TOTAL Get-Off Time 2.1 seconds for high school. 2.0 to 2.1 for collge and pro.
Like everything else in the game it becomes a matter of awareness through proper practice. Most coaches don’t even know the proper manner to time their kickers and punters.
Kickers and punters should be continually timed, not only to get the ball away quickly, but also to enable them to develop a proper rhythm and thus improve consistency. The goal is for OPTIMUM times. There is such a thing as getting the ball off too quickly when it is not necessary. Why put the football in the hands of a great returner too quickly before the coverage team has a chance to cover? Punters, like Quarterbacks, can develop a sense for feeling pressure. There may be times, when a receiving team has a return on, and the punter can even delay to allow his coverage team more time to spread and cover. If kickers and punters are timed regularly, they will know what their ideal time is and therefore maximize their effectiveness.
If you don’t have a coach to do it you can use a manager or injured player equipped with clipboard, charts and stop watch. Just follow kickers around practice from Specialty Period to the final whistle and time and chart each and every kick. The same people should be utilized as game timers.
The coach can then evaluate charts from the comfort of his office when time permits or immediately see the results after a play during the game.
Remember, you must have a stopwatch as your constant practice companion. In the Army it’s your rifle. As a practice coach it’s a whistle. (Some coaches feel naked if they ever found themselves at a practice without a whistle). For the special teams coach it’s a STOPWATCH! It should be around your neck at all times just like your whistle. Factions of Kicking Game Times should be constantly and consistently charted until they become as familiar as your offensive and defensive terminology. Hang Times, Get-Off Times, Hand-To-Foot times, Snap-To-Kick Times will become second nature to you and your kickers.
Continued timing and charting during games will let you know right away the real reason why a kick is blocked. The head coach should have someone timing the kicks at ALL Times in order to insure proper timing and to determine if there is a problem in the kicking game and where to find it. (An opponent may even be exposing a weakness - so make sure they are being timed too). 
A slow get-off time may prove the kicker was at fault – while an optimal get-off time (and a near block of the kick) may prove there was a breakdown in the protection. The quicker the real problem can be identified the quicker coaching can begin and game changing mistakes can be eliminated!
Excerpts from the book Getting a Kick Out of Practice by Coach Bill Tom Ross and Coach Rick Sang