Successful Special Teams Mike Bellotti

TEAM PLEDGE WIN THE DAY We promise to:... play with extreme courage, confidence and conviction while taking responsibility for our actions and inactions... on and off the field.... play with great intensity, give everything we have, finish every play and every game with no fear, no excuses and no regrets.... accept and support coaches, staff and team-mates and treat them like family.... always push our teammates and ourselves to be the best in athletics, in academics and in life, providing positive role models for our university and our community.... respect men and women of all races, creeds and colors, and to be honest with ourselves and others.... earn the trust and respect of our teammates and coaches while enjoying ourselves, being positive and making football fun for everyone. WIN THE DAY We promise to:... play with extreme courage, confidence and conviction while taking responsibility for our actions and inactions... on and off the field.... play with great intensity, give everything we have, finish every play and every game with no fear, no excuses and no regrets.... accept and support coaches, staff and team-mates and treat them like family.... always push our teammates and ourselves to be the best in athletics, in academics and in life, providing positive role models for our university and our community.... respect men and women of all races, creeds and colors, and to be honest with ourselves and others.... earn the trust and respect of our teammates and coaches while enjoying ourselves, being positive and making football fun for everyone.

PUNT PROTECTION GOALS 1.HAVE NO BLOCKED PUNTS 2.NET PUNT = 37 YARDS 3.PUNTER AVERAGE – 42+ YARDS 4.LESS THAN 6 YARDS PER RETURN 5.PLAY PENALTY FREE 6.AVERAGE HANG TIME = CREATE A TURNOVER 8.NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS 1.HAVE NO BLOCKED PUNTS 2.NET PUNT = 37 YARDS 3.PUNTER AVERAGE – 42+ YARDS 4.LESS THAN 6 YARDS PER RETURN 5.PLAY PENALTY FREE 6.AVERAGE HANG TIME = CREATE A TURNOVER 8.NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS

KICK OFF GOALS Be the fastest, meanest kickoff team in the world having the most fun! 1.HANG TIME OF BALL KICKED OUTSIDE OF THE HASH 3.NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS 4.CAUSE A TURNOVER 5.LESS THAN 18 YARDS A RETURN 6.PLAY PENALTY FREE 7.DRIVE START INSIDE 23 YARDS LINE Be the fastest, meanest kickoff team in the world having the most fun! 1.HANG TIME OF BALL KICKED OUTSIDE OF THE HASH 3.NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS 4.CAUSE A TURNOVER 5.LESS THAN 18 YARDS A RETURN 6.PLAY PENALTY FREE 7.DRIVE START INSIDE 23 YARDS LINE

KICK OFF RETURN GOALS 1.AVERAGE 25 YARDS PER RETURN 2. NO TURNOVERS 3. PLAY PENALTY FREE 4. START DRIVE ON OR BEYOND THE 30 YARD LINE 5. SCORE OR SET UP A SCORE 6.NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS 1.AVERAGE 25 YARDS PER RETURN 2. NO TURNOVERS 3. PLAY PENALTY FREE 4. START DRIVE ON OR BEYOND THE 30 YARD LINE 5. SCORE OR SET UP A SCORE 6.NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS

PAT AND FIELD GOAL GOALS 1. NO BLOCKED KICKS 2. MAKE 100% OF PAT’S 3. MAKE 100% OF FIELD GOALS UNDER 42 YARDS 4. MAKE 67% OF FIELD GOALS OVER 42 YARDS 5. PLAY PENALTY FREE 6. NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS 1. NO BLOCKED KICKS 2. MAKE 100% OF PAT’S 3. MAKE 100% OF FIELD GOALS UNDER 42 YARDS 4. MAKE 67% OF FIELD GOALS OVER 42 YARDS 5. PLAY PENALTY FREE 6. NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS

PUNT RETURN AND BLOCK GOALS 1. PLAY PENALTY FREE % POSSESSION 3. BLOCK A PUNT 4. AVERAGE 10 YARDS PER RETURN 5. ALLOW NO FAKES 6. SCORE OR SET UP A SCORE 7. NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS 1. PLAY PENALTY FREE % POSSESSION 3. BLOCK A PUNT 4. AVERAGE 10 YARDS PER RETURN 5. ALLOW NO FAKES 6. SCORE OR SET UP A SCORE 7. NO ASSIGNMENT ERRORS

Successful Special Teams A special teams play could be the difference between winning a championship or finishing in the middle of the pack.

We can’t talk scheme with players until we establish the importance of special teams to winning. We can’t talk scheme with players until we establish the importance of special teams to winning.

I. Emphasis Placed on Special Teams Commitment level Emotional level Sense of urgency Commitment level Emotional level Sense of urgency

A. Coaching Staff Passion Sense of Urgency Attention to Detail Passion Sense of Urgency Attention to Detail

B. Head Coaches Attitude and Presence Walk the Walk Commitment to Special Teams Communicate to Players Attitude and Presence Walk the Walk Commitment to Special Teams Communicate to Players

B. Head Coaches Build their Confidence Make Special Teams something to be proud of... and something they WANT to be a part of Build their Confidence Make Special Teams something to be proud of... and something they WANT to be a part of

II. Teaching Progression A.Practices Intensity and sense of urgency A.Practices Intensity and sense of urgency

II. Teaching Progression B. Meetings Fundamentals and Concepts, not scheme Visual examples – practice drills game examples B. Meetings Fundamentals and Concepts, not scheme Visual examples – practice drills game examples

III. Practice A.All coaches are involved KICK OFF RETURN PRESS BOX SIDELINE Off GA - T - G - Opposite our bench Strength Coach - Returners Def Coor - Opponent Scheme: 1, 2, 3 Opp our bench Head Coach - Point of Attack Def GA - Opponent Scheme: 1, 2, 3 Bench side RB Coach - End - Upback: Bench Side Off Coor - Opponent Scheme: (Cutback/Safety) WR Coach- Center Intern - Opponent Scheme: Kick side scheme LB Coach - T.G: Bench side Intern - Opponent Scheme: 4, 5 Bench Side Secondary -Opptt scheme: Bench side – 5 Intern - Opponent Scheme: 4, 5 Opp our bench Intern - End-Upback: Opp our bench A.All coaches are involved KICK OFF RETURN PRESS BOX SIDELINE Off GA - T - G - Opposite our bench Strength Coach - Returners Def Coor - Opponent Scheme: 1, 2, 3 Opp our bench Head Coach - Point of Attack Def GA - Opponent Scheme: 1, 2, 3 Bench side RB Coach - End - Upback: Bench Side Off Coor - Opponent Scheme: (Cutback/Safety) WR Coach- Center Intern - Opponent Scheme: Kick side scheme LB Coach - T.G: Bench side Intern - Opponent Scheme: 4, 5 Bench Side Secondary -Opptt scheme: Bench side – 5 Intern - Opponent Scheme: 4, 5 Opp our bench Intern - End-Upback: Opp our bench

III. Practice B. Pre-practice walk-thru: concepts C. Small group or individual work D. Tackling drills B. Pre-practice walk-thru: concepts C. Small group or individual work D. Tackling drills

III. Practice E. Half-line F. Full group G. Conditioning E. Half-line F. Full group G. Conditioning

III. Practice H. Determine the amount of time per day and per week that you are going to devote to a specific special team 1. Practice reps and organization: a. Punt Return: 50% Wall Return 25% Blocks 25% Defense H. Determine the amount of time per day and per week that you are going to devote to a specific special team 1. Practice reps and organization: a. Punt Return: 50% Wall Return 25% Blocks 25% Defense

IN-SEASON SPECIAL TEAMS Practice and Meeting Schedule Sunday:Off Monday: GrassShellsMeeting (40): Show players video from the previous game Kickoff-10 minutes Safe Punt Return-5 minutes Punt Return Block- 5 minutes (Note: the above 10 minutes can/will also be used for fundamental work with any/all Special Teams) Tues: Grass PadsMeeting (20): KOR Kickoff Return – 10 minutes Punt – 10 minutes Conditioning- 5 Minutes Wed: Stadium Pads/ShellsMeeting (20): Punt (practice film from Tuesday) Punt Return/ PAT/FG – 10 minutes Punt – 10 minutes Conditioning – 5 Minutes Sunday:Off Monday: GrassShellsMeeting (40): Show players video from the previous game Kickoff-10 minutes Safe Punt Return-5 minutes Punt Return Block- 5 minutes (Note: the above 10 minutes can/will also be used for fundamental work with any/all Special Teams) Tues: Grass PadsMeeting (20): KOR Kickoff Return – 10 minutes Punt – 10 minutes Conditioning- 5 Minutes Wed: Stadium Pads/ShellsMeeting (20): Punt (practice film from Tuesday) Punt Return/ PAT/FG – 10 minutes Punt – 10 minutes Conditioning – 5 Minutes

IN-SEASON SPECIAL TEAMS Practice and Meeting Schedule Thurs: Grass/Mo/Aut Shells Meeting (25): Punt return (game plan) Kickoff (game plan) Kickoff Return: 10 minutes Punt Return: 7 1/2 minutes Kickoff: 7 1/2 minutes Friday: Stadium HelmetsMeeting (30)- opponents cut-ups plus practice film 30 play Mock game situation script- Walk thru Hands Team Missile Kickoff PAT/FG Block Saturday:Captains Total Time Allocated:Punt: 20 minutes of practice; 20 minute meeting Punt Return: 20 minutes of practice; 12 1/2 min. meeting Punt Block: 5 minutes of practice Safe PR : 5 minutes of practice Kickoff: 17 1/2 minutes of practice; 12 1/2 min. meeting Kickoff Return: 20 minutes of practice; 20 minute meeting PAT/FG & Block: 5 minute practice Thurs: Grass/Mo/Aut Shells Meeting (25): Punt return (game plan) Kickoff (game plan) Kickoff Return: 10 minutes Punt Return: 7 1/2 minutes Kickoff: 7 1/2 minutes Friday: Stadium HelmetsMeeting (30)- opponents cut-ups plus practice film 30 play Mock game situation script- Walk thru Hands Team Missile Kickoff PAT/FG Block Saturday:Captains Total Time Allocated:Punt: 20 minutes of practice; 20 minute meeting Punt Return: 20 minutes of practice; 12 1/2 min. meeting Punt Block: 5 minutes of practice Safe PR : 5 minutes of practice Kickoff: 17 1/2 minutes of practice; 12 1/2 min. meeting Kickoff Return: 20 minutes of practice; 20 minute meeting PAT/FG & Block: 5 minute practice

IV. How Special Teams Impacts the Outcome of a Game A.Explosive plays B.The importance of field position 1.What is field position? a.Down punt inside 10 yard line b.Return KOR at end of game c.In 2007, UO returned 51% of KOR past 30 YL A.Explosive plays B.The importance of field position 1.What is field position? a.Down punt inside 10 yard line b.Return KOR at end of game c.In 2007, UO returned 51% of KOR past 30 YL

V. Players A. Who plays on special teams? B. Motivation 1. Player ownership 2. Pride and competition C. Depth Chart A. Who plays on special teams? B. Motivation 1. Player ownership 2. Pride and competition C. Depth Chart

Punt Return Depth Chart LC L1 L3 L2 L4 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 RC R4 R3 R2 j Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 RETURNERS Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 LC L1 L3 L2 L4 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 RC R4 R3 R2 j Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 Player 1 RETURNERS Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 2 Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5

Successful Special Teams Put the right players in the best positions possible to have success.

Successful Special Teams Mike Bellotti