O n behalf of Springfield college, the
coaching staff, and the players. It is
with great pleasure to contribute to the
AFCA Summer Manual. We hope that by
sharing some ideas about our kickoff return
team it can help you in this aspect of your
kicking game. Our kickoff return philosophy
has developed and been modified by the
many coaches that have shared with us
their thoughts on this phase of the kicking
game.
Philosophy
At Springfield College we run the spread
option offense, and we pride ourselves on
having an aggressive ball control style of
offense. We want to win the battle of field
position, time of position and the physical
side of the game, we also coach patience
for the big play, it will come. Our kickoff
return team has the same philosophy. We
want to win the physical aspect of the kick -
ing game and set an early tempo, control
field position, and create a big play with the
return team. We feel that the first measure
of the success of an offensive series is the
success of the kickoff return team. We
must be on the same page and have the
desire to be the best. To be the best our
players must know their blocking assign-
ments and be relentless, to assure the best
return possible. We strive to work as a
team to achieve a common goal, to score
first or put the offense in good field position.
A good return sets the offense up to work
on a short field. If that does not lead to
points and we must punt. This will now
allow for your defense to defend a long
field. This allows for our defense to be
more aggressive and the possibility for a
big play on defense.
Objectives
• Score (set up a score)
• Thirty five-yard line or better Offensive
drive start
• Set the tempo. A great return is a
momentum builder
Personnel
The most important aspect to the suc-
cess of our return is our players, not the
scheme. We do not put the eleven best
players on the team, we put the 11 best
players that will execute the scheme. This
is the most critical aspect to consider while
you put together your depth chart.
Tackles: Wide receiver type players can
run and sustain a stalk block.
Guards: Fullback/LB type Physical at
point of attack and can run to a cutoff point
Centers: Fullback type can play a squib
Set The Tempo With Your
Kickoff Return Team
and can block a linebacker
Tight Ends/Fullbacks: These players
must be your best runners and hitters and
be able to handle a bloop kick. Your best
special team players must go here.
Returnees: Players that can handle a
kick, set up the return, make people miss
and if they don’t get the ball be a lead
blocker. Not necessarily your fastest player
but a smart runner.
All players on the return team must be
able to handle the football. We practice sur-
prise onsides kicks daily, as part of our
practice routine.
Kickoff Return Alignment
We will keep our alignments consistent
on all returns, this prevents the opposing
teams from getting a return tendency on
us. (Diagram1)
Frontline: Align 11 yards from the ball
(46-yard line) tackle’s bottom of the numbers.
Guards: Split the difference between
the senter and tackle. Center if the ball is in
the middle of the field slide two yards oppo-
site his kicking leg, if the ball is on a hash Mike Cerasuolo
slide two yards opposite the hash.
Ends: Thirty eight-yard line two yards Offensive Coordinator
outside the hash
Fullbacks: Nineteen-yard line two Springfield College
yards inside the hash
Returnees: Based on game plan, best Springfield, Mass.
returner makes you/me call
Coaching Point: All players will remain
square to the line and in a good fundamen-
tal football position, with hands positioned
like a shortstop, until the ball is kicked.
Always expect an onside/bloop kick.
Diagram 1
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •
 Kicking Team Numbering System
On all of our teams we number from out-
side in, the 1st man closet to the left side-
line is L1 the next man in is L2 and so forth.
We do the same from the right hand side. If
we get a stack alignment the man closest
to the line is the low number. We count to
five on each side, not counting the kicker,
regardless if the ball is aligned on a hash
(Diagram 2).
Diagram 2
Returns
We utilize three different returns, side-
line left sideline right and middle kickout. All
of our returns are man schemes. This
allows us to predetermine our blocks and
let our players be more confident and
aggressive with their blocks. When we
have a sideline return called we stay with
the return unless the ball is kicked to the
numbers opposite the return side. The
returner will make a “fire” call alerting the
kickoff return team that the return is off and
the returner is taking the ball up the far
sideline. The rest of the team will now turn
and block the most dangerous man.
The sideline returns are predetermined
based on ball location and game plan. The
ball is designed to be returned in between
Make Plans Now to Attend
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In New Orleans
two double teams on the bottom of the
numbers. The non-ball carrying returner
will lead the ball carrier in between the two
double teams and block the most danger-
ous man (Diagrams 3 and 4).
The front line will use an inside influence
block, drop step, crossover sprint back to a
minimum of 15 yards and maintain your
leverage base on the return, (make him run
the hump). The deeper you drop the short-
Diagram 3
Diagram 4
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •
er your block will be in duration. The key to
your drop is the depth of the kick and the
speed of the man you are blocking. The
double teams are speed and timing with
each player taking half a man.
Our middle return is used as a tendency
breaker and vs. a team that kicks from the
middle of the field in either direction
(Diagram 5). The return is designed to hit in
between the hashes.
Diagram 5
Key Coaching Points
Technique: Proper depth and leverage
based on return.
Effort: Sustain your block, take a high
shot.
Assignment: Make your count and
communicate, know whom you have to
block.
Make a Play: The scheme is just a blue
print you have to make it work. We commit
a significant amount of practice time to our
kickoff return team, we feel it is a great
opportunity to score and we want to take
advantage of that.
I would like to thank the AFCA for the
opportunity to write this article for the
Summer Manual. Best of luck to all of you
during the 2002 season.