P.A.T./F.G. Protection Axioms
• To huddle or not too huddle.
• Be alert to Holder’s call of live color. Fake will come in from bench.
• Be alert for “FIRE” call –right or left.
• “Green” means we are kicking the ball –calls off fake.
• Block an area –Don’t block a man –Get big and use good techniques.
• Know all rules pertaining to blocked kicks.
• Always be alert to return possibility –treat like a punt –down it!
• Lineman do not release downfield on fire call or fakes.
• Total time –snap and kick –1.25 to 1.30 (8 yards).
• Be alert during last two minutes of a half.
• Work quickly when working against the clock.
• Holder is responsible for calling timeout if 30-second clock is running down on crucial kick.
• Be alert for “NO HUDDLE” if time is a factor on the field goal (white, white). “White” tells everyone to set up as quickly as possible to kick the field goal. If not on the field goal team, get off the field fast. Alert…. waving towel.
Field Goal and Extra Point Protection
Reminder Check List
___A.Holder will bring in any possible fake –count men and set unit.
___B.Be alert to “FIRE” call on bad snap (Automatic run/pass option).
___C.Always be alert to possible run-back
___D.Check alignment to insure proper splits –key the ball.
___E.Always align up on the ball.
___F.Know the opponents favorite schemes and personnel.
___G.Never get pulled by false starts.
___H.Get into your stance immediately and listen for “READY” call.
___I.Be disciplined in technique.
___J.Center –Be alert to give the ready call in noise control situations.
A Place Kick Must Never Be Blocked!
• HUDDLE: Will be offset from kicking area. Kicker finds his spot 8 yards from the ball. Holder will count to see if 11 men are on the field. Holder will then give huddle call. Holder will then call “READY SCORE”, team goes to L.O.S. and gets set in their stance.
• CADENCE: After call of “READY” ball will be snapped at. Discretion. (Finger Cadence)
• CENTERS: Cadence.
• OFF. LINE: 3-point stance (except line alert); 6 inch splits; inside foot back –you must be able to see the ball; shoulder width base.
• ENDS: 3-point stance (except line alert) with inside foot back –You must be able to see ball –shoulder width base: 6 inch split.
• SLOTS: Line up with inside foot behind the outside foot of the end; arms length away; hands on knees; and knees bent (locked and cocked) with inside foot staggered back slightly.
• WING: Line up with inside foot behind the outside foot of the slot; arms length away; hands on knees; and knees bent (locked and cocked) with inside foot staggered back slightly.
• HOLDER: Set spot: Check offensive line; Give right or left call; then check the kicker. When kicker is ready, he calls “READY”; reaches, giving center a one-hand target; and “SET” signal. (Finger Cadence)
Assignments
Center: Snap the ball after a one second pause (or on finger cadence) after the ready call. Hit the holder’s hand every time. After the snap, get your head up. Do not snap on rhythm or use any pre-snap keys.
Guards: Take a 3-Point stance with inside foot back. Squat. Align inside foot just inside the center’s outside foot. On the snap, take a quick punch step behind the center. Brace the center’s near hip. Hit up on the rise through your area –Not Forward. Still brace the hip of center if you don’t have a man in your gap.
Tackles: Take a 3-Point stance with inside foot back, Squat. Align inside foot behind foot guard. On the snap, take a quick power step behind the guard’s foot. Keep outside foot in place. Brace the guard’s outside leg. Hit up on the rise through your area –Not Forward. If you don’t get a rush through your gap, strike out your outside arm to help the end.
Ends: Take a 3-Point stance with inside foot back. Squat. Align inside foot back behind the outside foot of the tackle’s. On the snap, take a quick power step behind the tackle’s foot. Keep outside foot in place. Brace the tackle’s outside leg. Hit up on the rise through your area –not forward. If you don’t get a rush through your gap, strike out your outside arm to help slot or widen edge.
Slot: Take a 2-Point stance. Hands on knees, butt down and head up. Align at arms length, deep off the end with your inside foot aligned just behind outside foot of the end, facing square to line of scrimmage. On movement by the end, step forward with inside foot reaching both hands to thigh pad of end. Keep outside foot in place. If you give out call, single block #2 man from the outside.
Wing: Take a 2-Point stance. Hands on knees, butt down and head up. Align at arms length, deep off slot with your inside foot aligned just behind slot’s outside foot, facing square to line of scrimmage. On movement by slot. Stop forward with inside foot while reaching both hands to thigh pad of slot. Keep outside foot in place. If you get out call from slot, single block #1 man from outside.
Coaching Points
GUARDS, TACKLES, and ENDS:
• Assume a 3-Point stance when you come to the line.
• Never more your outside foot.
• Take quick punch step up, stay square with your shoulders parallel to the L.O.S.
• Block inside gap –area, not man.
• Extend outside arm if not challenged inside.
• Sprint to cover on a field goal after the ball is kicked.
HOLDERS:
• Align on the spot picked by the kicker.
• Be sure we have 11 men on the field.
• Be sure the team and Kicker are ready, then call “READY”
–Progression: Spot…Alignment…Personnel…Right or Left…Clock, Ready…
• Receive the ball and spot it quickly and precisely.
• You are the right safety on coverage.
–Kicker: Pick out the spot for placement directly behind the ball. Let the
• Holder know when you are ready. You are the left safety on coverage.
Holding For A Field Goal
• For a right-footed kicker, put the right knee on the ground and the left knee up. Keep your feet under you and be on your toes.
• Keep your shoulders square in line with the Kicker’s kicking line to his target when you spot the ball.
• Use you left thigh to guide you over the spot (Forearm should hit and stop).
• Always reach for the spot while aligning yourself to the target line.
• Reach for the ball (thumbs in) with a comfortable extension of the arms.
• Watch the tip of the ball as it spins toward you –Catch it!If you feel the laces away from the front, start to turn the ball while putting the ball down.
• Hold the ball with the first finger of the left hand, using the right hand to adjust the laces away from the Kicker.
• Get the ball tilted the way the kicker likes it and be soft on top of it with your finger. Be sure to let the Kicker kick the ball out of your hand.
• Keep your head down while the kicker kicks the ball and pick it up later. This helps from not tilting the ball back toward the Kicker.
“C.P.’s”
• Open up chest to snapper when receiving snap. Show center your number.
• Imagine putting the ball on the spot.
• Catch the ball in the hands, thumbs down and together, unless the ball is low and in front of you.
• To trap the ball, place the left hand down on the ground to from as a backstop. Trap the ball with the right hand on top of the ball.
• Turn the ball with either your thumb or finger tips of your right hand.
• When catching the ball, firmly hold the belly of the ball with your right hand while you slide your left forefinger to the tip of the ball. To stop the spin of the ball while moving the laces, press down with the forefinger.
Spinning the ball
– If you feel the laces in your right hand, it means the laces are in the front. Just place the ball on the spot.
– Laces at the Kicker: Spin the laces away from the Kicker using your fingertips.
– Laces in the Back: Spin the laces to the front by using your thumb.
– Laces directly away from you: Spin the laces to the front by using your fingers.
– Laces directly facing you: Spin the laces to the front by using your thumb.
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.