This is the second part of: Kickoff Return Schemes
Hash Kickoff Return Left
Deep Returners should set their feet on the 5 yard line.
As the front wall retreats they should keep their eye on their block responsibility. All blocks should be turned to the outside, with the return back hitting up inside the wall.
The front wall will rally on the center who sets the wall. The front wall should be within hands length of each other upon creating the wall.
The front wall will set their back foot on the 47 yard line with forward body lean towards the kick-off unit.
The front wall will set the middle return whether middle or to a hash after tracking their 4 landmarks according to ball direction. The center is responsible for setting the wall. If the ball is kicked between the hash and the sideline then the center will set the wall on the hash. If the ball kicked between the hashes then the center will set the wall middle.
The up backs will be responsible for setting the back wall 15 yards in front of the deep back receiving the ball.
Hash Kickoff Return Right
As the front wall retreats they should keep their eye on their block responsibility. All blocks should be turned to the outside, with the return back hitting up inside the wall.
Middle Returner should set his feet on the 5 yard line. If the middle returner receives the ball he should hit it up and inside the wall be created 15 yards in front of him.
The front wall will rally on the center who sets the wall. The front wall should be within hands length of each other upon creating the wall.
The front wall will set their back foot on the 47 yard line with forward body lean towards the kick-off unit.
The front wall will set the middle return whether middle or to a hash after tracking their 4 landmarks according to ball direction. The center is responsible for setting the wall. If the ball is kicked between the hash and the sideline then the center will set the wall on the hash. If the ball kicked between the hashes then the center will set the wall middle.
The Fullback will be responsible for setting the back wall 15 yards in front of the deep back receiving the ball.
Hands Team
Alignment + Responsibility Front Row
Center – align back foot on the 47 yard line and offset from the kicker. Must set yourself like a short stop leaning into the ball.
Guards – align back foot on the 47 yard line. Must set yourself like a short stop leaning into the ball.
Tackles – align back foot on the 47 yard line. Must set yourself like a short stop leaning into the ball.
Alignment + Responsibility Second Row
Right and Left Up Backs – align back foot on the 43 yard line. Must set yourself like a short stop leaning into the ball.
Ends – align back foot on the 43 yard line. Must set yourself like a short stop leaning into the ball.
Shifter – Our shifter will be responsible for aligning 3 yards off the side line away from the hash that the kicker sets the ball
Deep Returner – Our deep returner is the safety valve for any ball that has gotten through our first 2 walls of hands team.
This is the second part of: Kickoff Return Schemes
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.