Macalester College Kickoff

Overview
The primary goal of the kickoff unit is to keep the kickoff return inside the 25 yard line. The chances of the
offense scoring when starting inside the 25 yard line are very small(5%). To meet this goal, the ball must be
kicked deep and the coverage players must sprint from the start, play with an aggressive attitude and gang tackle.
There is no other play in football where 11 men get to run full speed for 50 yards to tackle the ball carrier,
while avoiding blockers and colliding at full speed against a wedge of players.

* A football player shows his true character on kickoff coverage.

Performance Keys
For the kickoff unit to be successful we must execute the following steps:
1. Stay onside while hitting the line at full speed as a unit.
2. No kicks out of bounds
3. No returns beyond the 28 yard line.
4. Everyone must at least cross the opponents 45 yard line when the ball is caught.
5. Coverage must stay in lanes, wave 1 avoids blocks to the side that is fastest for you, wave 2 avoids
blocks to the butt side, breakdown and tackle.
6. After defeating the block, re-insert into your tube.
7. Never follow a teammate down the field.
8. Create turnovers1st man tackles, 2nd and 3rd men go for the ball.
9. If you are within 10 yards of the ball carrier, take on the block. If you are more than 10 yards away
from the ball carrier, avoid the block (butt side/over top).

Game Goals
1. 33% MAD (Make A Difference play)
a. Touch-Back
b. Create a turnover
c. Return Held Inside the 20
d. Return of 15 yards or less
e. Recover an Onside
2. Opponent average start inside the 28 yard line.
a. Inside the 30 yard lineGOOD
b. Inside the 25 yard lineEXCELLENT
c. Inside the 20 yard lineSUPERIOR
d. Inside the 15 yard lineGAME BREAKER
3. Shutoutno returns for a touchdown.

The greatest test of courage in the game of football

Strategy
1. Kick to or away from certain personnel
2. Directional kickoffs
3. Lob kicks
4. Squib kicks
5. Kickoff following a safety
6. Kickoff following a +15 yard penalty.

Huddle
1.) All members of the kickoff team will report to the Pit Boss coach immediately when called.
2.) The kickoff will be called on the sidelines, and a huddle break will be made.
3.) You will huddle 10 yards behind the tee. Huddle according to the call on the sideline.
4.) When the whistle blows, kicker says Dont be off sidesthe huddle callreadybreak. Quickly
hustle to your position. Align at 5 yards depth, or what ever depth you are most comfortable with,
 facing the kicker. Kicker will make his initial movement to the ball and then you should begin your
get off.
Note: All game day K
substitutions must be LOL LC CC RC ROL
approved by the Pit Boss. LS LIL RIL T RS

Huddle Calls
Formations
1. Tight
2. Spread
3. Choir

Following are the potential calls:

1. Left Tight Left
2. Middle Spread Middle
3. Left Spread Lob Right
4. Middle Spread Squib Middle
5. Left Onside Right or Right Onside Left (dependent on kicker preference)
6. Surprise Onside or Cody Special (game week call)
7. Left Choir Left

Position Descriptions
Kicker (Wave 3: 1) The kicker should be able to perform deep directional kicks, squib kicks, onside kicks, and lob
kicks. The ideal kick lands at the 5 yard line in either corner of the field. Kicker needs to use the same approach
and timing every time. Hang time goal is 4 seconds. Kicker will serve as a safety to the left after the kick.

Lightning (Wave 1: 4) These guys need to be our fastest and best tackling DB and WR types. Lightning also need
to be the toughest members of the kickoff unit. They should combine speed, strength, and attitude to terrorize
returners. Lightning inflict damage on the returns, intimidate and set tone for the football game. They are the
ultimate wedge busters.

Sealers (Wave 2: 2) These guys need to be our best open field tackling LB and DB types. Sealers run down field
with an attitude. The main job of the Sealers is to maintain contain and let nothing get outside you. With that said,
Sealers are still a part of the second wave and are still expected to get their nose in on tackles and make playsjust
always keep everything to the inside of you. Sealers have speed, strength and great tackling ability.

Closers (Wave 2: 3) Like Sealers, these guys also need to be our best open field tackling LB and DB types.
Closers also run down field with an attitude. They also will frequently need to destroy wedges and sacrifice their
bodies for the team. Closers will have speed, strength and great tackling ability.

Trailer (Wave 3: 1) Quite simplythe fastest man on the field.

Individual Technique Teaching Progression

Kickers Lightning Sealers Closers Trailer

Deep Kicks Run/Read Run/Read Run/Read Run/Read
Directional Kicks Avoidance Avoidance Avoidance Avoid.
Squib Kicks Collision Contain Collision Fall In
Lob Kicks Tackle/Ball Tackle/Ball Tackle/Ball Safety V.
Onside Kicks
Weather Kicks
Post Safety Kicks
Safety Valve
Kickoff Zones

1. Run and Read (-35 to +45)

2. Avoidance Area (+45 to +25)
3. Collision Area (+25 to +15)

Assignments-Deep Middle, Deep Left, Deep Right

Wave 1 (Lightning)
1. Hit the line at full speed.
2. Sprint down the field in your lane and identify where the ball is going.
3. Go directly to the football with an outside in leverage at full speed.
4. Wave 1 players will evade blockers to which ever side is easiest for them. Wave 2 players will evade
early blockers opposite the way they turn their hips (butt side).
5. After you defeat front line blockers, your feet should gain ground up the field. If there is a wedge:
Taking On The Wedge
- LOL accelerate through taking out the shoulder of the outside man on the left side of the wedge
(dip and rip).
- LIL accelerate through taking out the gap between the outside man on the left side of the wedge
and the man to his inside (dip and rip).
- RIL accelerate through taking out the gap between the outside man on the right side of the wedge
and the man to his inside (dip and rip).
- ROL accelerate through taking out the shoulder of the outside man on the right side of the wedge
(dip and rip).
6. If no wedge appears once you cross the 35 to 30 yard line, accelerate through blockers immediately in
front of the ball carrier. Use your hands, collision, and extend on solo blocks and disengage. Do not
get tied up with a blocker, rather shed them immediately.
7. If you get knocked down, get back up and get to the ball. Always think that turnovers are going to
happen or that you may punch the ball out.

Wave 2 (Sealers & Closers)

Note: Wave 2 should be about 5 yards behind wave 1.
1. Hit the line at full speed.
2. Sprint down field in your lane and identify where the ball is going.
3. Avoid front line blockers opposite of their hips (butt side) and dip and rip past them.
4. After defeating front line blockers, your feet should gain ground up field.
5. When you reach the +40 to +35 yard line, fall in 5 yards behind wave 1.
6. You five will be the main tacklers in this coverage once the Lightning blow up the wedge. First guy
wrap up, second and third go for the ball.
7. If no wedge appears once you cross the 35 to 30 yard line, accelerate through blockers immediately in
front of the ball carrier. Use your hands, collision, and extend on solo blocks and disengage. Do not
get tied up with a blocker, rather shed them immediately.
8. If you get knocked down, get back up and get to the ball. Always think that turnovers are going to
happen or that you may punch the ball out.
Sealers: Remember to always maintain containnothing gets outside. Watch for reverses and
throwbacks and call them out as soon as you see them. Left Closer & Right Closer: Maintain
outside in leverage on the football. Center Closer: Go directly to the football

Wave 3 (Trailer & Kicker)

1. Sprint full speed until you reach the 50 yard line. Then fold to your hashes
2. Trailer must stay in your lane and fold to the right hash.
3. Kicker must widen out to get just outside the left hash.
4. 60 % speed.
5. If anyone gets through you are our safety valves.
6. Dont let anyone outflank you. Nobody can get outside of you.
 7. Avoid all blocks.
Kickoff Rules of the Game
1. A ball that is kicked 10 yards can be recovered by either unit. The ball does not have to travel 10 yards
if the receiving team touches it.
2. Kickoff unit members cannot launch themselves in the air to defeat blocks or block below the waist.
3. The ball must land in bounds on the kickoff.
4. A fair catch can be called by the kickoff return unit.
5. On a high kick, the opponent has the right to field the ball before it touches the ground without being
interfered with.
6. All kickoffs must be covered. The ball is not dead until the official blows it dead.
7. If the ball goes into the end zone without being touched, it is dead. If touched, it is a live ball.
8. A fumbled or muffed kickoff can be advanced.