USC TROJANS

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKOFF RETURN
PLAY FAST, FIERCE AND
FINISH
 Kickoff Return Team
FASTBREAK FOOTBALL
GOAL: Make a short field for the
offense

Objectives
1. Field and retain possession of
every kick
2. Penalty free
3. Average starting position past
30 yard line
4. Break the 50 yard line once a
game
5. Score or set up a score
1st Play of offensive series!!!
 Philosophy

1. This unit dictates field position.

2. Returns past the 40 yard line will greatly improve our chances of
scoring.
3. If we don’t score, we will win the field position battle by pinning
opponent with a punt.
4. We will use the entire field.
5. It’s all about spacing and timing.
6. Body positioning is the key to great returns.
7. Effort always wins.
8. Play smart – no penalties.
9. 11 play as 1.
10. Finish all blocks.
11. Big returns bring back momentum after an opponent score.
12. We will be a multiple return team with an emphasis on timing and
technique.
 Kickoff Return Reminders

1. Know the rules

2. Know the situation
• Weather
• Laces
• Time and Score
• Hit Chart
3. Know opponents personnel and tendencies
4. Defend the huddle with the ball on the tee
5. Know kickers approach and what it means
6. See ball kicked!!!
7. 10 Yards and the ball is live!

Coaching Points
1. Landmarks – Spot on the field where you must intercept your man and
get between him and the returner. This is always adjusting.
2. Ball Direction & Distance – See the ball get kicked and watch it with
your eyes as you drop. This recognition will help you determine your
landmarks.
3. Find the Path – Quickly find the best and cleanest path to get between
your man and the returner.
4. Target Line – The line you could draw from your man to the returner.
You must be inside of the line.
5. Strike and Finish – Use come to balance or strike and redirect.
 Kick Off Return
Base alignments
Alignments will change based upon our game plan.
Front line
• Tackles – Back foot on 45 yard line on outside shoulder of # 2
• Guards – Back foot on 50 yard line, splitting center and tackle
• Centers – Back foot on 45 yard line outside shoulder of # 5
Situation adjustment
Shift to onsides - Stay with rules, move up to the 41 yard line
After a safety – Tackle and center on the 35, guards on the 40 yard line
After penalty – Tackle and center on the -44, guards on the -40
Wedge
• Full back – 20 yard line in middle of field (Game plan)
• Ends – 25 yard line on the #’s (Game plan)
Situation adjustment
Shift to onsides – Move up to the -45 yard line and cheat to load side
Anticipated squib – Move up 10 yards
After a safety – FB at the 35 yard line. Ends at the 40 yard line
After a penalty – FB at the 20 yard line. Ends at the 25 yard line
Weather – Condition could move us up 5-10 yards
 Kick Off Return

Front Post-Kick:
1. Take the ball off the tee. See it get kicked first before leaving.
2. Recognize and react to the direction and distance of the kick.
3. Quickly sprint back.
4. Run with your head on a swivel. See the returner, the ball, and
your man.
5. Establish your target.
Front Block Setup:
1. Find the proper set up depth, relative to the distance and hang
time on the kick.
2. Establish the angle of your target based on where the returner is
going.
3. Flip your hips quickly and smoothly.
4. Maintain square shoulder position between your man and the
returner.
Front Blocking:
1. With great effort, execute your decision based on the blocking
techniques.
2. Take control of the target side!
3. Force him to take the backdoor.
4. If he crosses face, he must be pushed past the seam.
5. Climb to the next level aggressively when appropriate.
 Kick Off Return

Attack Zone:
We divide the field up into vertical sections called “Attack Zones.” These
areas define intended return lanes, and provide a way to communicate
landmarks.
Chute Area: Between the hashes
Alley Area: Between the hash and numbers
Sideline Area: Outside the numbers

Responsibility Count:
We are a “man-responsible” blocking team. We adhere to the principle
of blocking our man or who becomes our man. We sort loops, or
downfield twist and knives on the backside, and we stay with our man
downfield movement on the front-side. We also have stack rules to
handle during various stack situations.
In order to determine who our man is we must know the count
system. It works like this:
We count from the outside in to determine who man is. The widest
player is 1, the next is 2, the next is 3 and etc. . counting in from each
side. We do not count the kicker. The safety is always counted as #1.
If they use a holder due to weather, then he automatically becomes the
safety (1) to the 4 man side.
Always count them while we look at them. So it is left or right as we see
them. We talk about the R3 or the L4 in terms of how they align in front
of us.
We can often determine the number by the landmark on which they run
down.
 Kick Off Return
Attack Zone
S A C A S
I L H L I
D L U L D
E E T E E
L Y E Y L
I I
N N
E E

Count

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 K R5 R4 R3 R2 R1
 Kick Off Return

Landmarks
#1 = Folder or personnel
#2 = Outside #’s or widest
#3 = Numbers
#4 = Alley
#5 = Hash

We also often know the assignment of the KO cover player based

on his position or personnel.

The anticipated assignments work as follow:

#1 = Fold safety or hot player
#2 = Contain player
#3 = Force inside player
#4 = Hard player (Alley Target)
#5 = Ball or gunner type player
 Kick Off Return

Front Blocking Techniques

Come to Balance & Redirect Techniques:

This is our technique vs. speed type guys who would prefer to use avoid
and run around moves.
1. Key the direction and distance to determine landmarks.
2. Rollover start to landmarks.
3. Establish your target and run a straight line toward your landmark.
4. Stay between him and the ball.
5. Get square to your man at your landmark and retreat by taking “baby
steps” with a wide base.
6. Maintain position on your target.
7. Block between 35 and 30 yard line relative to timing.
8. Come to Balance and Strike his momentum.
Finish
1. Close the gate. Block with your feet first.
2. Widen the hole. Base down, high hands, move your feet.
3. Retrace.
4. Know when to release.
5. Be alert for second level blocks. Climb to the 2 nd level.
 Kick Off Return

Strike & Redirect Techniques

This is our technique adjustment against bull rushers and the picket
fence technique.
1. Same technique as come to balance and redirect.
2. Once landmark and target position has been established, anchor
your position and attack your man.
3. Strike to neutralize a bull rush.
4. Aggressive to target side.
5. This is a collision.
6. Maintain balance and contact past the returner.
Finish
1. Close the gate.
2. Widen the gate. Base down, high hands, move your feet.
3. Retrace. Backdoor.
4. Know when to release.
5. Be alert for second level blocks.
Front blocking techniques

Come to
Balance
&
Redirect

Strike
&
Redirect
Look off technique Kick Off Return
These are used to show a direction and then go the other way.
1. Initial course is run to setup a particular cover man.
2. We may setup to a target or we may run by him.
3. It helps to look at the setup and to look off the real assignment.
4. We may use two types of look offs:
1. Basic look off.
2. Run By.
5. Never lose track of your real assignment.
Finish
1. Close the gate.
2. Widen the hole. Base down, High hands, move your feet.
3. Retrace. Backdoor.
4. Know when to release.
Be alert for 2nd level blocks
Counter block technique
These are used on counter returns. We attempt to sell the base
direction and thereby invite them to cross face and avoid to the ass
side.
1. Follow the base takeoff & set-up progression all the way to the
setup.
2. Setup on normal inside target.
3. Make contact with square shoulders to returner with normal gate
closed.
4. Once good contact is established, then climb to the outside target
to pin him inside.
5. Be sure not to overset the counter and give away the scheme.
 Kick Off Return
Finish
1. Close the gate.
2. Widen the hole. Base down, high hands, move your feet.
3. Retrace. Backdoor.
4. Know when to release.
Be alert for second level blocks.
Base Double Team
This is the double team technique that we use at the point of attack on
all of your directional returns. We want to control the ability of our man
to penetrate and keep him covered up, until the returner clears. We do
not need to take him in a particular direction. We block him wherever he
may go. He may stay in the middle or go right or left. If he forces a
direction we will take him that way, but farther than he wants to go.
1. Follow the base takeoff progression to get started. The geometry
concepts remain the same.
2. Quick hip flip to setup on your target side away from your help
man at the 35 yard line.
3. The depth of the setup adjusts to the factors of the kick.
4. Establish a shoulder – to – shoulder relationship on either side of
your man.
5. Time the punch with your wingman. You will get good at this by
repetition.
Finish
1. Close the gate.
2. Widen the hole. Base down – high hands – move your feet.
3. Retrace. Backdoor.
4. Know when to release.
Be alert for second level blocks
Front blocking techniques

Look Off

Eyes Eyes Eyes

Run By

R
 Kick Off Return
Post & Pin Double Team Technique
This is a double team technique that we use at the point of attack on
directional returns as a change up. We want to control the ability of our
man to penetrate and keep him covered until the returner clears. We
also want to force him into a particular direction, usually inside. We like
this technique on sideline returns and vs. rare penetration. Still, if he
insists on going the other way, we can take him there but farther than he
wants to go.
1. Follow the base takeoff progression to get started. The geometry
concepts remain the same.
2. Quick hip flip to setup on your target side away from your help
man at the 35 yard line.
3. The depth of the setup adjusts to the factors of the kick.
4. Post player setup and punch right down the middle of your man
5. Pin player follow that punch closely with a pin block. We then
corner him in a 90 degree fashion. Bang Bang Block!
Finish
1. Close the gate.
2. Widen the hole. Base down, high hands, move your feet.
3. Retrace. Backdoor.
4. Know when to release.
Be alert for second level blocks
Jump Set Double Teams
Set up base puts the double team at 50-45 yard line. Techniques
remain the same, but anticipate a wide avoid maneuver. We want to
lock him or greatly disrupt him. Once he commits to a side it is a single
trail technique with the off blocker dropping down to a safety.
 Kick Off Return

Base Double Team Post & Pin Double

Team

T G T G

Jump Set Double Stack Double

Team Team

T G
T
E
 Kick Off Return
Wedge Blocking Technique
This is the engine that makes our return go. This is the heart and soul
of our unit. We must be able to react. Be tough and physical.
Elements
1. Timing.
2. Spacing and angles.
3. Fast reaction and decision making.
4. Physical at point of attack.
5. Aggressive throughout finishing blocks.
Set-Up

1. Key ball flight. FB look to see ball caught.

2. FB set wedge 14 yards away from returner.
3. Shoulder to shoulder.
4. Be square.

5. Run on straight line. Run fast and aggressive.

Take-Off
1. Hold until “GO” call from FB.
2. While holding – sort out your man.
3. Stay connected – move vertically and aggressively.
4. Don’t leave your wingman.
5. Sort on the run.
 Kick Off Return
Contact
1. Verse stack – secure forward man first – bounce him.
2. Bounce him one way, uncovered blockers run at levels to next
threat.
3. Release blockers when the returner passes you. No holding!
4. Never let our wedge get split, we can give 2 for 1
 Stack Rules for wedge players

1. The callside end has the contain

Left Return player alone with an inside out target

2. The FB takes an inside target path

on the first front player in the stack

3. The backside end is hip to hip with the FB

RE and working a double to the stacked player.

Contain FB
Player LE

Left Return
Unstacked flat look pick it up as it
shows with inside out targets
Double team to
stack player

RE
RE
Contain FB
FB
Contain LE
FB still take Player LE

Player inside target

FB treat outside stack like a flat According to the game plan, we know their
look you block stacked man stack players will be the contained player.

Contain
RE Player
RE
FB
Contain LE FB
Player LE
 Wedge Blocking

Middle Wedge
1's or K
E E
B

MDM

OR

Directional Wedge
Backside Fold

E E
B

MDM
OR

R
 Kick Off Return
Kick adjustments:
1. Adjust the depth and the angle of the drop according to depth,
hang time and angle of kick.
2. Field all kicks! Communication and poise gets this done. React
with confidence and talk.
3. Field onside kicks low to high. Short stop it with hand on the ball,
then fall and cradle. Remember, the hit is always worth the
recovery and whether you recover it or not they will hit you
anyways!
4. Field squibs on the high hop which is usually the odd hop. Let hot
balls go through to the returners.
5. On a muff the muffer picks it up and everybody else protects him.
6. Recognize the type of squibs. Is it short or deep?
7. After a penalty on KO, anticipate a bloop to the GL or an onside
kick.

Call System:
Direction:
1. Right: refers to right directional returns.
2. Left: refers to left directional returns.
3. Middle: refers to middle returns.
4. Wedge: refers to middle or ball wedge returns.
Wedge Area:
1. Sideline: refers to returns that double team the # 3 at the #’s area.
2. Alley: refers to returns that double team the #4 based at the alley
(3’s/hash) area.
3. Chute: refers to returns that double team the #5 based at the
chute (hash) area.
 Kick Off Return
Call System:
Scheme:
1. Double team: refers to a blocking scheme incorporating a two on
one.
2. Tag: refers to double teams between a tackle and a guard.
3. Cat: refers to double teams between a center and a tackle.
4. Cage: refers to double teams between a center and a guard.
5. Clamp: refers to double teams between the two centers.
6. Trap: refers to a single block across lanes to kick out or kick in.
7. Squib Alert: refers to a personnel grouping and scheme vs
anticipated squib KO.
 Kick Off Return
Keys to Victory:
1. Secure the football
• Complete the play with the offense running on the field.
• Everybody must be ready to handle the ball.
2. Know you opponent
• Expect the unexpected.
• Know their tendencies.
3. Attention to details
• Go from good to great.
4. Technique
• Understand the timing and the angles.
• Find a way and have a plan.
5. Toughness
• It all comes down to winning the individual battles.
• Be the last one standing.
6. Discipline
• Penalties occur because of a player being out of position.
• It is due to either a lack of effort or lack of understanding.
7. Communication
• Watch the onside
• Watch the squib
• Watch the bloop
• Sideline – Penalty or safety alerts
• Kick (Right/Left – Short/Long – Me/Yous – Go/Stay)
 Kick Off Return
RECEIVING ZONES

K
1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

T C C T
G G
Fair Catch Zone

Fair Catch Line

E E
Possible Fair Possible Fair
Catch F Catch

Short Kick Line

R OR
 Kick Off Return After Safety

K
1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

T C C T
G G

E E
F

OR

R
 Kick Off Return After Penalty

K
1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

T C C T
G G

E E
F

OR
R
 Kick Off Return
Shift to Onsides

1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1
K

T G C C G T
E F E

T = Outside #2
C’s = Outside #5 R
G’s = Split C &T

R
 Kick Off Return
Shift to Onsides

1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1
K

T G C C G T
E F E

T = Outside #2

R C’s = Outside #5
G’s = Split C &T

R
 55 MIDDLE

K
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1

LT LC RC RT
LG RG

L1

L2 L3 L4 R4 R3 R2

L5 R5
LE RE
R1
FB

HELP
TO R1

OR

R
 MIDDLE SPLATTER

K
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1

LT LC RC RT
LG RG

HELP
TO R1

L3 L4 L5 R5 R4 R3

L2 MDM R2
LE RE
FB

OR

R
 Kick Off Return
Left Chute Clamp L5

T C C T
G G

T run by #4

1 5 4 3

E E
F 4
3
2 2

R
Ball
R
 Kick Off Return
Right Chute Clamp R5

T C C T
G G

4 T Run by
5
1 #4
3 4 5

E 4
3
E
2
2 F

R
Ball
R
 Kick Off Return
Right Alley Cage R4

T C C T
G G

3 5 5
2 4
E E 1
F
3
2
Check L2
to L1

R
Ball
R
 Kick Off Return
Left Alley Cage L4

T C C T
G G

5 5 4 3

E E2 1
1
2
3 F

Check
R2 to R1

R
Ball
R
 Kick Off Return
Left Tag L3

T C C T
G G

5 5 4 3

E E2 1
1 4
F
2

R
Check
Ball R2 to R1
R
 Kick Off Return
Right Tag R3

T C C T
G G

3
3 4 5 5

E 1
E
1 4
2 F 2

R
Check L2
to L1
R Ball
 Kick Off Return
Chute Clamp L5 Counter Right

T C C T
G G
4
T Run by
#4
1

5
5
4 4 3 1
3
E2 E
2
F

R
Ball
R
 Kick Off Return
Chute Clamp R5 Counter Left

T C C T
G G
4
T Run by
#4
1

1 4 5
E 3
E
4
2
F 3
2

R
Ball
R