Special Teams

Special Teams

We receive a lot of compliments about our Special Teams section on FirstDown PlayBook and it’s not surprising. Oh we know that the Special Teams section is not why most coaches sign up but once the season gets going and the bullets start flying, that’s when this comes in very handy.

In fact we had one head coach who told us that his staff is using FirstDown PlayBook as reference tool and his offensive and defensive staffs really found it useful. Then he went on to say that in his opinion the real plus for his staff was the Special Teams section.

This does not surprise us. During the thirty some years that I coached I would always visit with high school or college coaches in the off season and one common request was “Coach, do you have any good stuff on Special Teams?”

I would always try to spend time on it but that’s the problem. There is only so much time. That’s what makes FirstDown PlayBook’s Special Teams section so great. It is essentially a Special Teams clinic on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

“Hip By” Special Teams Technique

“Hip By” Special Teams Technique

by FirstDown PlayBook on Jun 28, 2019

Coaches who can teach special teams technique are rare. They not only help create explosive plays but also keep you out of costly penalties....

Bears Pat Mannelly Talks Snapping

Bears Pat Mannelly Talks Snapping

by FirstDown PlayBook on Nov 13, 2018

After being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round in 1996 Pat Mannelly snapped the ball 2,282 times during his NFL career without a botched snap. ...

Podcast Week 3: Bobby April-Game Day Special Teams Management

Podcast Week 3: Bobby April-Game Day Special Teams Management

by FirstDown PlayBook on Sep 10, 2018

Week three of USA Football's Coach & Coordinator "The Game Plan" podcast welcomes two time NFL Special Teams coach of the year Bobby April....

Rugby Punting Using The Shield Punt Alignment

Rugby Punting Using The Shield Punt Alignment

by Chris Summers on May 27, 2018

We have since evolved into a two punter rugby punt system.  We have a right footed punter and a left footed punter on our team that are both now in the backfield like QB’s in the old...