This is the third Part of a three part series on punt blocks.
OUTSIDE BLOCK – “CRASH”
Coaching Points
•Use this blocking scheme to the short side of the field, not the wide side.
•Designed to attack a man scheme by overloading the protection to free the Corner, who creeps and burst to the block spot on the snap of the ball.
•Must occupy the protector.
•Most likely will employ an automatic middle return.
Positions and Techniques
1 Align in “form start” stance in a 9-technique – attack with a PWS, attempting to get skinny in the hole to pressure the protector and occupy the wing. Responsible for wing if they attempt to release for a pass.
2 Align in “form start” stance in a 4i-technique – player to the “CRASH”on the snap, take on step at the tackle, and bail to cover the gunner in case of a fake. Defender away from the “CRASH” – attack the B-gap with PWS.
3 Align in “form start” stance in a 2-technique – attack tackle (B-gap) with PWS. Attempt to drive tackle back 2 yards, making the protector step up to help, if aligned playside, otherwise drive tackle back 2 yards prior to releasing. If guard does not attempt to block or outside releases, be ready to collision inside trap fake.
4 Align in “form start” stance in 1-technique. Attack A-gap with PWS attempting to get skinny in the hole. Occupy the protector, but if break clear, block the punt.
C Corners are aligned 5 yards off with their outside foot to the gunners’ inside foot. Playside corner (“CRASH”) will creep, slowly timing their burst with the snap. Do not leave too early. Corner away is responsible for the gunner (man) and will use a shadow technique to ride gunners outside. The alignment and techniques can change based upon the scouting report.
OVERLOAD – “SIX SHOOTER”
Coaching Points
•Designed to attack a zone scheme by overloading the protection with an inside rusher.
•Must occupy the protector.
•Most likely will employ an automatic sideline return to the side of the block.
Positions and Techniques
1 Align in “form start” stance in a 9-technique on the EMOL – attack with PWS pinning EMOL inside; i.e., no free release into coverage lanes. Responsible for the EMOL in case of fake.
2 Align in “form start” stance in the C-gap. Playside attack gap with a low pad level, getting skinny in the hole to get clear, hitting the block spot, taking the ball off of the punter’s foot. Playside defender has the
punter on all fakes. Defender opposite playside will take one step forward and cover the middle of the formation looking for possible fakes. Also, defender away will work to set up picket for a sideline return.
3 Align in “form start” stance in a 7 & 5-technique – attack tackle (B-gap) with PWS.
4 Playside align in “form start” stance in the B-gap and attack gap with a low pad level, getting skinny in the hole to get clear. Playside defender must occupy the protector and has the protector on all fakes. However if protector vacates to block 2, continue on path, hitting the block spot, taking the ball off of the punter’s foot. Defender opposite playside is aligned in a 2-technique – attack tackle (B-gap) with PWS. If upback does not attempt to block or outside releases, be aware of the possible fake.
5 Align in “form start” stance in a 2i-technique – attack guard (A-gap) with PWS.
6 Shift or align in “form start” stance in 1-technique. Attack A-gap with PWS. If the upback does not attempt to block or outside releases, be aware of the possible fake.
ELEVEN MAN RUSH – “BIG HORN”
Coaching Points
•Use when you must get a block.
•Consider when opponent kicking out of the end zone, based upon game circumstances.
•Must occupy the protector.
• The path to the block spot is crucial because more than one player is going to arrive there.
• There is no return.
Positions and Techniques
1 Align in “form start” stance head up on the EMOL – attack with PWS pinning EMOL inside; i.e., no free release into coverage lanes. Responsible for the EMOL in case of fake.
2 Align in “form start” stance in the C-gap. Away from the overload, attack gap with a low pad level, getting skinny in the hole to get clear, hitting the block spot, taking the ball off of the punter’s foot. Responsible for punter on all fakes.
3 Align in “form start” stance in a 7-technique or the B-gap – attack tackle (B-gap) with PWS.
4 Align in “form start” stance, playside in a 4i-technique, backside in a 5-technique. Attack the gap with a low pad level, getting skinny in the hole to get clear. Must occupy the protector, if to your side and have the protector on all fakes. However if protector to opposite side, continue on path, hitting the block spot, taking the ball off of the punter’s foot.
5 Align in “form start” stance in the A-gap – attack upbacks with PWS. Must occupy and drive them back at least 2 yards.
6 Align in “form start” stance in 1-technique, and on the snap, loop to attack the opposite A-gap with PWS. Continue on path to the block spot, taking the ball off of the punter’s foot.
About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.