Joe Marciano is the special team’s coordinator of the Tampa Bay Bucs of the

National Football League. He is considered by his peers to be one of the best

teachers of special team’s techniques and schemes in the game of football
today. He is a contributing staff member of Coach Illustrated by
CoachPaterno.com.

Working cover players versus return players in drills and not using scout teams
will improve technique on both sides of the football.

The following coaching points/checklists on Returning Punts and Kickoffs are points of
emphasis that are applicable to coaching special teams at every level of the game:

1. Big returns come when the Returner hits it hard and fast. Get North in a hurry…
Split one seam.
2. The Returner must be fearless!
3. Blocking Schemes can be overrated! Get hats on hats and inspire your blockers to
take pride in not allowing their assigned men to make a tackle.
4. Techniques: Work on fundamentals and keep repeating. Make the drills very
competitive. Use part/whole teaching sequence. Work Both sides of the ball during
drills. Don't use a Look Squad!!!
5. Punt Defense: Disguise. Use one front for the punt rush, punt return and for the
punt safe.
 Middle Daylight Return (Hold Up technique)
 Left Return (Left side hold up…Right side rush)
 Right return (Left side rush…Right side hold up)
 All Out rush
 Call safe
6. Kickoff Return: Disguise
 Middle Daylight Return
 Right/Left Calls
 Counter Right /left Calls
7. Work game tempo in small groups
8. The more you sweat in peace...the less you bleed in war.

Hold- Up Technique

9. Come off the ball low and hard.

10.Stance should always be rush mode.
11.Drive defender back. Keep hands inside. Use the hands.
12.Wide base on contact. No crossing over.
13.Keep defender on line of scrimmage as long as possible and remain square.
14.Run with defender and draw the line.
15.Finish with helmet and shoulder pad in front.
16.Look him in the eyes! Block him! No penalties in return game.

Punt Defense Philosophy

Use one alignment for

17.Rush
18.Return
 19.Safe

General Principles

Return men must take pride in catching punts…both in practice and in games.
You must know the opponent's punter…study film and scouting reports.
We cannot commit any penalties when on punt defense as many result in
giving the opponent the ball back at 1st and 10.
There is NO EXCUSE for being offsides.
Disguise your responsibility…make the punt team believe you are going to
pressure the punter all the time.

Practicing special teams in smaller groups will improve individual

techniques. Coach Marciano believes in part to whole teaching for all
areas of special teams play.

 You must realize that we are getting the ball back when our opponent is
punting. Be an intelligent player and don't create a situation where we allow
the opponent to maintain possession.
 You must have an honest belief that we can return punts for a score if you
carry out your responsibility.
 On a wall return…move the wall to the ball carrier.
 Commit yourself to your assignment and especially your block. Don't wait to
see if we have a chance for a return before you block.
 We must do a great job in controlling the forcers to allow for a cushion for our
returner.
 Block all punts at the spot. The spot is approximately 4-5 yards in front of the
punter. Study film and scouting reports on the opponent's punter.
 When we score, let's get 11 men in the end zone.

General Don'ts of Punt Defense

2. Don't be offsides!
3. Don't rough the kicker!
4. Don't clip downfield!
5. Don't let the ball hit the ground!
6. Don't field a punt inside our own 10-yard line!
7. Don't block below the waist downfield!
8. Don't call timeout if we are short personnel!

Punt blocks and returns are opportunities for us to create the Big Play. Our main
objectives in punt defense are to obtain possession of the ball, establish field position
and to get a score. A punt return for a touchdown or blocking an opponent's punt can be
a great momentum builder for us and a demoralizer for our opponent.