Stitt's Thoughts Regarding Punt Returns

[oGriz]

Mariani was extraordinary, and he did have 3 punt returns for TDs with a career average of 15.0 yards per return. He had a total of 83 punt returns during his career at Montana, so he scored a touchdown 3.6% of the time. Nice. http://stats.washingtonpost.com/cfb/players.asp?id=138584

The FCS average punt return is 8.9 yards. Currently, we're averaging 8.6 yards per return with a perhaps "de-emphasized" return game and a Top 5 punt block team. For some perspective, in 2011, Jabin Sambrano was the 14th best punt returner in the FCS with a 10.46 yards per return average with 1 TD in 37 returns (2.7%). http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/jabin-sambrano-player-stats

Nguyen is our main punt return guy, but he is only averaging 7.7 yards per return (remember, fair catches are not returns). Nguyen is a good runner (4.9 yards per carry), but he is very average, at best, as a punt returner. It would be great to have a Mariani back returning for us, but he was exceptional. Therefore, with our current personnel, I am buying into the "punt block" philosophy.

 

[oGriz]

Put the Block On

By Robby Case, American Football Monthly
http://buyersguide.coachesdirectory.com/article/put-the-block-on-article.html

Punt Block Philosophy

The only time we use the term punt “return” is when we are referring to the opposing team. We always speak to our guys about our punt “block” team. We try to set that mindset from our first meeting and make it very clear we are going to come after almost every punt we see. As a side note, I name every special teams unit to try to give them their own separate identity. The punt block unit is named the “Sharks.” When the Sharks are on the field, they smell blood in the water and attack on every snap.

So why block punts instead of return them? I have found that with the wide-spread popularity of the shield punt formation, returning punts has become increasingly difficult. For example, our opposing punt return teams in 2013 averaged only 3.48 yards a return on 28 opportunities. The advantage of the shield punt is that it allows players to get out and cover faster than the traditional kick slide punt.

Shield punts also make it easier for coverage players to get into their coverage landmarks and create a net around the returner. The shield punt formation is one reason why we feel we have a better chance in affecting the outcome of the game by attacking the punter before he gets the kick off. The second reason we go for the block is that I have found that most college punters are erratic with their hang time and distance, which makes setting up a return and then getting it started difficult. These two reasons, plus lacking an explosive punt returner, have lead us to attack every punt we face.

By having a block mentality, you can affect the punt team without having to block every punt. The opposing punt team is alerted all week by their coach that they have to protect, before cover, and the specialists have to have a fast operating time. It puts pressure on long snappers and punters to be perfect. Also, specialists tend to shy away from pressure situations. This can lead to bad snaps or rushed kicks that are shanked. On the occasion when you do decide to set up a return, the cover team takes longer to get out because they are told all week they must protect longer to stop the rush, which then neutralizes one of the advantages the shield punt provides.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Shield punts also make it easier for coverage players to get into their coverage landmarks and create a net around the returner. The shield punt formation is one reason why we feel we have a better chance in affecting the outcome of the game by attacking the punter before he gets the kick off. The second reason we go for the block is that I have found that most college punters are erratic with their hang time and distance, which makes setting up a return and then getting it started difficult. These two reasons, plus lacking an explosive punt returner, have lead us to attack every punt we face.

By having a block mentality, you can affect the punt team without having to block every punt. The opposing punt team is alerted all week by their coach that they have to protect, before cover, and the specialists have to have a fast operating time. It puts pressure on long snappers and punters to be perfect. Also, specialists tend to shy away from pressure situations. This can lead to bad snaps or rushed kicks that are shanked. On the occasion when you do decide to set up a return, the cover team takes longer to get out because they are told all week they must protect longer to stop the rush, which then neutralizes one of the advantages the shield punt provides.

I couldn't agree more. Great article. :thumb: :thumb: