Football Toolbox

Punt Block Practice in 10 Minutes: 4-Drill Circuit

by

 
Doug Geiser, Head Coach, Ashland

This video was originally posted on Glazier Connect.

It is a segment of a content video from Glazier Drive:  How the Eagles Teach & Drill the Core Four Special Teams Technique

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VIDEO OVERVIEW

This video covers four punt block drills for coaches. Each drill is first broken down in practice format, then shown in action on real game tape. The game clips feature players like Isaac Brooks (the sniper on the wide end), Tyler, Zack, and Colin. Groups are roughly 10 to 12 players.

DRILL 1: TAKEOFF

  • Works for punt block, and carries over to teaching defensive linemen their takeoff.
  • Use a ball. The coach moves it, and players crowd the ball with their hands.
  • Hands go down first, with the helmet behind the hands.
  • The movement is a straight takeoff, bending to a point about five yards behind the ball.
  • In a four-player setup, the first two players cross in front of the landmark (the punter), and the outside two stay behind the punter.
  • Key coaching point: flex the ankles so players don’t double clutch on takeoff.
  • In the scheme, players on the right side are taught they can cross face if they come free.

DRILL 2: DIP AND DRIVE

  • Used against shield or pump protection.
  • Players start engaged, with pads down and in almost a rip position on the shield.
  • On the coach’s command, they turn the body through, rip up, then bend through the blocker to the block point.
  • Can be run with players crossing in front of the ball or working from behind it.
  • The main emphasis is pad level.

DRILL 3: SCOPE DRILL

  • Teaches the technique for actually blocking the punt.
  • Players look through a “scope” made by putting the four fingers and thumbs together.
  • Never swat at the ball. Think of pushing papers off a table, and pin the ball on the punter’s foot.
  • One line crosses in front of the punter while the other stays outside.
  • Players must avoid crossing face and running into the punter, so they reach across the body instead.
  • The game clip highlights discipline: not swatting, shooting the hands, and pinning the ball.

DRILL 4: ELEVATOR DRILL

  • Also used against shield-style punt protection.
  • Start about five yards from two shields.
  • The goal is to split the shield by lowering the body, skinnying through, then rising up and through like an elevator to clear the block before reaching the punter.
  • After clearing, reach a hand out to where the punter’s leg will be. Two hands is ideal, but one hand is fine as long as it gets in the way of the punt.
  • The game clip shows the extension after splitting the shield.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Pad level and body position win the shield battles (dip and drive, elevator).
  • Ankle flexion prevents a double clutch and keeps takeoffs clean.
  • Discipline at the point of the block matters: no swatting and no running into the punter.
  • Each drill pairs with a specific protection look, so coaches can match drills to what they’ll face.
  • Showing every drill next to game tape connects practice reps to real results.