I. Introduction

A. Special Teams - the third most important phase of the game of football.

1. If the special teams are strong enough:

a. They can remove their team from bad field position.

b. They can put the opponent in bad field position.

c. They can be a offensive minded threat that always leaves the possibility of a big play.

2. The major objective of special teams is to help remove your team from or to place the opponent in bad field position.

a. Never must a special team feel they are the team's last resort to a situation.

b. They must be sold on the idea that they are the unit that can end any situation at any time no matter what are the

circumstances.

3. The second objective of the special team unit is to put the opponent in a

situation where they will be forced to play conservatively and give the ball up to us in favorable field position.

a. Responsibility on all coverages must be known by all 11.

b. Every player must have the mentality to give 110% and everybody on the field must expect to make the tackle before the

ball can be advanced 10 yards.

4. The third objective of the special team unit is to be a offensive threat every time they come on to the field.

a. This does not mean they must expect to score. However, if the opportunity arises for the team to need a big play or to

advance the ball for a first down they must be ready to make the play and succeed.

II What the Special Team Unit Must Accomplish

A. The basic theory of special teams.

1. Attacking the opponent and causing disarray while still maintaining containment and denying the big return.

a. Accomplish this by keeping direct pressure on the ball from different areas while keeping the ball inside the contain men.

2. Be able to remove the team from compromising field position and change the momentum in one play.

B. Individual defensive fundamentals.

1. The 3 fundamentals are the same as that of the defensive philosophy

a. The ability to move.

b. The ability to protect oneself.

c. The ability to tackle

C. The cardinal principles of special teams

1. Position - all defenders must be in proper alignment to carry out assignments correctly.

2. Avoiding contact - the correct method of avoiding contact while not redirecting their point of attack or lane of containment.

3. Recognize any special plays or situations (reverse) and never lose the containment.

4. Reading blocks - defenders must immediately read blocks on the run and not let their lane of attack be redirected by the block.

5. Protect your territory - (See defensive philosophy II.C.5)

6. Pursuit - (See defensive philosophy II.C.6)

7. Gang tackling - (See defensive philosophy II.C.7)

D. The most important factor in the development of the defense is the coach.

1. (See defensive philosophy II.D.)

III. Selling Special Teams

A. (See defensive philosophy III)

IV. Categorizing Your Special Teams

A. (See defensive philosophy IV.)

V. General Special Team Planning - "A Year Round Job"

A. (See defensive philosophy V.)

VI. Other Keys to Special Teams

A. Get excited and show enthusiasm.

1. (See defensive philosophy VI.)

B. Make them feel important.

1. In high school football, special teams are the only time some these athletes will be on the field. It is their time to shine for their

teammates and the crowd. Make them have success!