Special Teams Coach
The Augusta Sports Council has announced the nominees for the 2011 Ray Guy Award
Oct 31st
The Augusta Sports Council has announced the nominees for the 2011 Ray Guy Award, which identifies the nation’s top collegiate punter. Among the 53 candidates are 2009 winner and 2010 finalist, Drew Butler of Georgia. Candidates were nominated for the award by their school’s sports information department.
The list will be narrowed to ten semi-finalists to be announced on November 11. Following the semi-finalists announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sports information directors, coaches, media representatives, and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the top three finalists, who will be identified on November 21. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner.
The presentation of the Ray Guy Award will be featured on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on Thursday, December 8 at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corson, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will feature live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award, and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team. Fans can visit the show’s dedicated web site at www.espncollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.
2011 Ray Guy Award Candidates
Bryan Anger - California
Ben Armer - Western Michigan
Will Atterberry - North Texas
Trey Barrow - Missouri
Tyler Bennett - Utah State
Peter Boehme - Southern Mississippi
Dylan Breeding - Arkansas
Ben Buchanan - Ohio State
Drew Butler - Georgia
Ian Campbell - UTEP
Tyler Campbell - Ole Miss
Steven Clark - Auburn
Bobby Cowan - Idaho
Ryan Doerr - Kansas State
Ron Doherty - Kansas
Kyle Dugandzic - Arizona
Anthony Fera – Penn State
Will Goggans - Troy
Mickey Groody - Florida Atlantic
Eric Guthrie - Iowa
Johnny Hekker - Oregon State
Tom Hornsey - Memphis
Jimmy Howell - Virginia
Josh Hubner - Arizona State
Jay Karutz - Eastern Michigan
Anson Kelton - TCU
Alex King - Duke
Pete Kontodiakos - Colorado State
Scott Kovanda - Ball State
Chase Lansford - UNLV
Richie Leone - Houston
Jeff Locke - UCLA
Brett Maher - Nebraska
Kyle Martens - Rice
Austin McCoy - Wyoming
Brandon McManus - Temple
Kyle Negrete - USC
Brad Nortman - Wisconsin
Pat O’Donnell - Cincinnati
Shawn Powell - Florida State
Ryan Quigley - Boston College
Jackson Rice - Oregon
Matt Rinehart - Kent State
Brian Schmiedebusch - Bowling Green
Quinn Sharp - Oklahoma State
Brian Stahovich - San Diego State
Riley Stephenson – BYU
Ryan Tydlacka - Kentucky
Kirby Van Der Kamp - Iowa State
Cole Wagner - Connecticut
Cody Webster - Purdue
Kase Whitehead - Marshall
Brad Wing - LSU
Dawson Zimmerman - Clemson
Ray Guy Award
The Augusta Sports Council created the Ray Guy Award in 2000 to honor Thomson, Georgia native and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ray Guy. The Ray Guy Award winner is determined by a national voting body of sports writers, college coaches, sports information directors, and past Ray Guy Award winners. Among the statistics used to identify the winner is net punting average, number of times a punt is downed or kicked out of bounds inside the opponents 20-yard line, total yardage punted, average returned yardage, and percentage of punts not returned. The winner must display team leadership, self-discipline, and have a positive impact on the team’s success.
Augusta Sports Council
The Augusta Sports Council (ASC), a non-profit organization dedicated to marketing the Augusta area as a destination for amateur sporting events, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2011. The ASC attracts, creates and supports dozens of sporting events and activities each year, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the greater Augusta community. To learn more, visit www.augustasportscouncil.org.
National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, www.ncfaa.org.
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.”