with Rick Kelm, Ripon HS (WI) Head Football Coach; 2005 & 2003 Wisconsin Class 4 State Champions, 2003 Wisconsin High School Coach of the Year
Special teams play has been a key to Ripon High Schools 38-2 record over the past three seasons. Coach Kelm believes that special teams must receive as much emphasis in practice and planning as offense and defense. Being aggressive and calculated make this special teams' package effective. Ten unique situations make up this special teams package. These areas include kick off, onside kick, kick off return, hands team, punt, punt fake, punt block, punt return, extra point/field goal and fake extra point/field goal. The punt game, onside package, punt block systems make it difficult for the opponent to prepare for Ripon. In all, 20% of all plays in a high school game are special team situations. This DVD is a complete presentation on special teams at the high school level and has been a crucial part of the consistent success at Ripon High School.
with Jamie Kohl and Andy Kohl, "Kohl's Professional Kicking Camps,"
both 1st Team All-State kickers, both played at the D-I level and signed with NFL teams after graduation
In this impressive special teams kicking video DVD, Jamie and Andy Kohl break down every aspect of field goal kicking and kickoffs - from stretching to technique to kicking drills. Based on their Division I college and NFL experience, as well as their nationwide kicking camps in which they analyze thousands of kicks using slow motion digital technology, they focus only on the teaching points that lead to successful kicking at all levels. Throughout this special teams video dvd demonstration, the fundamentals of alignment and body balance are a consistent theme. This on-field demonstration details equipment, holding, steps, leg swing, ball-foot contact and follow-through. Several core and dynamic stretches are illustrated that prepare kickers for their best effort on the field. They share the advantages of three different styles of field goal kicking: soccer style, the club and the _ club style and demonstrate several kick off techniques; the hurdle motion, directional kick-off, the pooch kick and on-side kick. Each drill shared in this special teams video DVD incorporates valuable techniques presented throughout the presentation. These "kicking gurus" cover every important aspect of this critical skill! No football coach, or kicker, should go without learning from the Kohls, who have made teaching successful kicking their passion!
with Jamie Kohl and Andy Kohl, "Kohl's Professional Kicking Camps,"
both 1st Team All-State kickers, both played at the D-I level and signed with NFL teams after graduation
In this impressive video/DVD, Jamie and Andy Kohl break down every aspect of punting - from stretching to technique to drills. Based on their vast experience (HS, college, professional, punting camps) of performing and evaluating punters and punting skills, the Kohl's focus on the teaching points that lead to successful punting at every level. Throughout this presentation the fundamentals of stance, alignment, and body balance are a consistent theme. This on-field demonstration details grip, steps, the drop, ball/foot contact, sweet spot and follow-through. Several core and dynamic stretches are illustrated that prepare punters for maximum results on the field. Jamie and Andy highlight advantages and techniques of directional punting and pooch punting. This DVD gives all punters an advantage by gaining insight into technique as well as game-like drills. Each drill incorporates valuable techniques presented throughout the presentation. These "punting gurus" cover every important aspect of this critical skill! No football coach, or punter, should go without learning from the Kohls, who have made teaching successful punting their passion!
with Bobby April, Buffalo Bills (NFL) Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coach
When it comes to NFL special teams excellence, look no further than Coach Bobby April. The Bills' special teams unit posted another standout season in 2004 as the unit led the NFL in four categories. For the last two years, the Bills have lead the NFL in Kickoff return, starting at the 34.9 yard line, on average. April's unit finished first in the annual Dallas Morning News special teams ranking, the first NFL team to win the award in consecutive years. Although Coach April's Kickoff return system is coveted in the NFL, he does not advise high school coaches to clone his system; April does urge coaches at all levels to learn how an organized system of kickoff return can greatly aid any coach. Practice and the ability to adjust on the fly can really help the return team. Key points are discussed with returns vs. a regular kick and a short kick. A major factor in diagramming returns is mixing players with the point on the field where the ball is put in play. Coach April calls his Kickoff return team "The Seals". The goal of the "Seals" is to find the mission and to execute the mission. Teams are challenged to build a formation that can successfully launch a play into action. Coach April encourages coaches to find the best way to get your 11 players in the right formation to run kickoff return. Coach April outlines objectives such as ball security, playing penalty free, gaining good field position, scoring touchdowns, and hitting hard to set the temp of the game. Also discussed are the Front Five guidelines, fullback blocking, wedge coaching points, and return man coaching points. Practice drills for the Front 5 and the wedge are explained with the aid of practice footage. This special teams video presentation is honest, straightforward, and packed with tips for improving kickoff return units on any level!
46 minutes. 2006.
Special Teams Master Plan
with Bobby April, Buffalo Bills (NFL) Assistant Head Coach/ Special Teams Coach
For coaches who seek improvement in special teams play, this video DVD will provide the catalyst needed. In detailed fashion, Coach April highlights everything needed for improving special teams play starting with the development of staff. That includes the role of Special Teams Coach, role of the staff and coach assignments. Constant emphasis is put on the question, "In what way can we make our special teams better?" This question is designed to challenge the high school, college and pro coach who is committed to special teams results. Also analyzed is how to staff a special teams unit by describing the characteristics of a successful special teams player. April allows you to look behind the scenes as he answers the "Tough Questions for the Head Coach." In Buffalo, players take pride in their specific special teams unit by buying into the importance of their jobs. The Gurkhas, Seals, Delta Force, Rangers, Armor and Cavalry describe each of the specialty units that make up the NFL's best special teams attack. Pride, organization and toughness characterize the make up of an exceptional special teams unit, and Buffalo serves as a great example. When you apply Bobby April's sound approach to winning football to your own situation, positive results will come your way.
with Clint Bowen, University of Kansas Special Teams Coordinator
As special teams coordinator at Kansas, Clint Bowen has faced the best of the Big 12. His experience as a player and coach at KU have aided his knowledge of the intricacies of special teams play. In this DVD he shares practice philosophy and drills for punt team and punt return. Coach Bowen's PowerPoint presentation is enhanced with both game and practice footage. The video clips show drills to build the foundation of successful punt and punt return teams. Known as the "Bomb" Squad, the punt team is taught that 100% focus is mandatory because one mistake is critical. Coach Bowen details stance and alignment for all positions, and the kick slide technique. Emphasis is given to field landmarks and squeezing to the ball as players rush downfield. Gunners are taught to drive and punch through without false steps. Drills shown are the Mirror drill, pitting the first team vs. the scout squad and the half line drill. This drill breaks the team into left side, right side and middle, each group working on specific assignments. The field landmark drill, the squeeze drill, and the gunner drill are all explained. Bowen also covers punt return highlighted by the "Outlaws." Knowing whether your team is a return team or a block team is crucial. The Jayhawks emphasize the punt return and teach attack stances, getting vertical and knowing the block point. The rush technique relies on the "get off," keeping a base, with hands inside. The goal is to win at the line of scrimmage. The downfield "hand and shoulder" is drilled as well as the high screen and the bracket. Return team drills include the block drill, Fit and Force, the Nudge technique, the bubble technique and footwork drills for the corners. This DVD offers coaches the opportunity to see how the small parts add up to become big plays on the field. A good mixture of philosophy, drills and video footage makes this DVD a tool for the coach who knows the value of great special teams play.
with Don Soldinger, former University of Miami Special Teams Coordinator
Coach Soldinger explains the drills that the University of Miami coaches use to teach the base and spread punt formations. The fundamentals of proper stance and footwork necessary for the punting game are presented, as well as, individual and group drills that cover every aspect from the "contain, compress, corral" method, pursuit angles, vertical sets, pitchfork techniques, set and release, tip drills, line shuffle, and flyers. Even the specifics of directional and pooch punting are reviewed. Soldinger uses overhead diagrams to breaks down the X's and O's of the individual drills. This video is a complete guide to putting all the parts together and building a well-organized punting game.
Coach Curtis believes that special teams are essential for winning football. Kickoff coverage drills make up the first segment of this DVD. The three ways to beat blocks are speed, back door and two gap. Players must decide which technique to use in each situation. The first drill is set up in an area 17-foot wide. Curtis teaches to always pursue with a proper angle to defend against a cutback. Alignment and positioning are the next skills taught...
The punt game is on display in this DVD presented by legendary high school coach, J.T. Curtis. The "Five S's" form the foundation of winning special teams play. They are split, stance, set, strike and sprint. The center's first responsibility is to deliver the ball to the punter with perfect timing. Protection in this case is secondary. The center is given a zone to protect rather than a man so he can focus on the snap. The tackle and guard use a jump technique...
with Bobby April, Buffalo Bills (NFL) Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coach
When it comes to NFL special teams excellence, look no further than Coach Bobby April. The Bills' special teams unit posted another standout season in 2004 as the unit led the NFL in four categories. For the last two years, the Bills have lead the NFL in Kickoff return, starting at the 34.9 yard line, on average. April's unit finished first in the annual Dallas Morning News special teams ranking, the first NFL team to win the award in consecutive years. Although Coach April's Kickoff return system is coveted in the NFL, he does not advise high school coaches to clone his system; April does urge coaches at all levels to learn how an organized system of kickoff return can greatly aid any coach. Practice and the ability to adjust on the fly can really help the return team. Key points are discussed with returns vs. a regular kick and a short kick. A major factor in diagramming returns is mixing players with the point on the field where the ball is put in play. Coach April calls his Kickoff return team "The Seals". The goal of the "Seals" is to find the mission and to execute the mission. Teams are challenged to build a formation that can successfully launch a play into action. Coach April encourages coaches to find the best way to get your 11 players in the right formation to run kickoff return. Coach April outlines objectives such as ball security, playing penalty free, gaining good field position, scoring touchdowns, and hitting hard to set the temp of the game. Also discussed are the Front Five guidelines, fullback blocking, wedge coaching points, and return man coaching points. Practice drills for the Front 5 and the wedge are explained with the aid of practice footage. This presentation is honest, straightforward, and packed with tips for improving kickoff return units on any level!
Special teams organization, quality control and practice preparation are the foundation of this excellent lecture-style special teams video dvd presentation. Coach Matsakis begins with program overview, discussing commitment, personnel, importance and winning the kicking game. Coaches must set evaluation tools and benchmarks as well as monitor statistics to remain consistent. Day-to-day organization involves practice...
