Football Toolbox

Limit Hidden Yardage Losses: Field All Punts with These Drills

by

Josh Miller, Special Teams Coordinator, Coastal Carolina

Watch the entire video on Glazier Drive – Punt Return Drills & Progression

This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.

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CORE TRAINING CONCEPT: This video focuses on training punt returners to properly field all kicks, emphasizing how preventing “hidden yardage” losses can significantly impact field position and game outcomes.

WHEN TO PRACTICE: These drills can be incorporated during:

  • Pre-practice periods
  • Specialty periods
  • Small individual periods within practice

DRILL FUNDAMENTALS:

  • Train returners to move forward, backward, and laterally
  • Practice handling normal kicks, directional kicks, hops, and bad kicks
  • Develop proper communication between special teams players
  • Address exotic scenarios (pooch kicks inside the 10, rugby-style kicks, banana balls)

PROPER CATCHING TECHNIQUE:

  • Tight elbows, hands “like you’re praying” then open to receive
  • Hands at eye level to track the ball
  • After catching, go “high and tight” – chin the ball, clamp it to body
  • Stay behind the ball and catch moving forward to gain 2-3 yards of momentum

KEY TRAINING SCENARIOS:

  1. Catching from different angles (offset positions)
  2. Fielding bouncing balls (get behind the ball, don’t run away)
  3. Communication on bad kicks (“Peter/Peter/Peter” or “Poison” calls)
  4. Deep kicks (heels on 8-yard line drill)
  5. Combination drills with gunners for realistic practice

REAL GAME SITUATIONS: The coach shares three instructive mistakes:

  1. Returner drifting too far back against a P4 school, ending up in shadow of goal line
  2. Fair catching on the 2-yard line against Army after losing track of position
  3. Successful example of properly fielding a bouncing ball against Lafayette, preventing hidden yardage losses

COACHING BENEFITS:

  • Builds returner confidence
  • Helps coaches establish realistic expectations
  • Develops proper decision-making under pressure
  • Creates crossover training opportunities with gunners
  • Addresses special situations that “can help you be elite”