Your Special Teams Practice Time
If you are lucky like I am and you get 20 mins at the end of practice for special teams practice time. I work with a staff who is bought in and know the importance of special teams continue reading…
First off, our philosophy is simple we want to “flip” the field position, we want to play the possession as an offensive or defensive down, and use it in some cases as a scoring opportunity. But, most of all we get as many starters off the field as possible. If we have a two way player he is off the field on all special teams. Scary? You bet, but over the years I have learned that getting a young player on the field to do one job on a Friday night is motivating to that player and he is contributing to the team’s success. He is also getting real game time experience that will pay dividends down the road.
During a typical week we go through our offensive and defensive prep and then do Special Teams at the end of practice. When each unit is on the field the other players on the sideline are doing some type of conditioning. So, we maximize our time efficiently and everyone is moving around. We use players who are not on a specific unit to line up like the upcoming opponent does so we get a feel for what they are going to do and we know who to block. We typically don’t go live, but in some cases we may use the “Thud” approach.
Here is a snapshot of how we manage our special teams practice time:
Monday: Kick-off / Kick Return
Tuesday: Punt / Punt Return
Wednesday: PAT / FG
Thursday: Pre-game 40 mins on air at least 2 reps each
- Kick-off
- Kick Return
- Punt
- Punt Return
- PAT / FG (Fire!)
- Hands team
- On side kick
After this segment we follow a game script. We start each game script with kick-off and we are able to go through all our special teams again in a more game like situation as the offense and defense are able to go through their calls and adjustments for Friday night.
Friday: Special Teams call-outs and reminders
Special teams play an important role in your team’s on-field success. Make it important!
FirstDown PlayBook Guest Coach Chris Summers is an 18 year veteran going into his 19th year coaching high school football in Colorado. Over his career he has been to the State Playoffs 10 times with 3 semi-final appearances and a state title runner-up in 2016. And has also been a part of two league championships. He is currently entering his 3rd year at Broomfield High School serving as an Offensive Coach & Special Teams Coordinator.
Chris Summers
Broomfield High School, Broomfield, CO
Special Teams Coordinator & Offensive Coach
Email: csummers680@gmail.com
Twitter: @coach_csummers
