Title: Trojan Special Teams Philosophy
1Trojan
Special Teams
2Trojan Special Teams
- Over the past 5 seasons, Troy has excelled in the
area of Special Teams helping the Trojans to 3
straight Sun Belt Titles. - The Trojans have had at least one Special Teams
unit ranked in the top 25 nationally in each of
the past 5 seasons.
3National Rankings
- 2004- 21st in Net Punt, 37.82
- 10th in KO Return, 23.90
- T. Olmstead- 17th, 43.05
- 2005- 23rd in Punt Return, 11.97
- L. McKelvin- 16th, 12.64
- 2006- 14th in Punt Return yd. Def.
- L. McKelvin- 22nd, 11.21
- 2007- 4th in Punt Return, 16.77
- L. McKelvin- 4th 17.44
- 2008- 2nd in PR Ydage Def.
- 7th in KOR Ydage Def.
42008 Troy Special Teams Rankings
Sun Belt Ranking (8 Teams) NCAA Ranking (119 Teams) Yardage
NET PUNT 1 29 36.53 yds.
KICKOFF RETURN 1 50 21.81 yds.
PR Ydage DEF. 1 2 2.53 yds.
KOR ydage DEF. 2 7 17.90 yds.
PUNT RETURN 3 31 11.23 yds.
Jorrick Calvin (KOR) 1 31 25.67 yds.
Jorrick Calvin (PR) 2 39 9.9 yds.
Will Goggans (P) 5 76 39.17 yds.
Sam Glusman (Place Kicker) finished 7th in the Country in Number of FG Made. (20) Sam Glusman (Place Kicker) finished 7th in the Country in Number of FG Made. (20) Sam Glusman (Place Kicker) finished 7th in the Country in Number of FG Made. (20) Sam Glusman (Place Kicker) finished 7th in the Country in Number of FG Made. (20)
Michael Taylor (Kickoffs) finished the season with 9 Touchbacks. Michael Taylor (Kickoffs) finished the season with 9 Touchbacks. Michael Taylor (Kickoffs) finished the season with 9 Touchbacks. Michael Taylor (Kickoffs) finished the season with 9 Touchbacks.
Will Goggans (Punter) placed 35 (18/52) of his punts inside the 20 yd. line. Will Goggans (Punter) placed 35 (18/52) of his punts inside the 20 yd. line. Will Goggans (Punter) placed 35 (18/52) of his punts inside the 20 yd. line. Will Goggans (Punter) placed 35 (18/52) of his punts inside the 20 yd. line.
5Trojan Special Teams Philosophy
- The Winning Edge
- Over the years the Kicking Game has been a
deciding factor in many football games. It may be
that part of a football contest that can create
that greatest number of momentum changes.
Consider theses elements of Special Teams play - 1. Each play usually covers at least 40 yards of
field position. - 2. Each play normally involves a change of
possession. - 3. Plays that do not fall into the first two
categories involve direct scoring opportunities. - Therefore, we must be thoroughly prepared on
every Special Teams play to accomplish our goals. - Champions take PRIDE in making things happen
positively. Our kicking game is considered an
OFFENSIVE phase of our approach to the game of
football. We plan to WIN in every phase of our
Special Teams. Our schemes are designed to keep
constant pressure on our opponent. The key to
success will be CONSISTENCY and EFFICENCY
executed with YOUR intensity, effort, discipline,
concentration, and unequaled enthusiasm. - Remember, we are not striving to be GOOD. We are
going to be the BEST!
6Special Teams
- Philosophy (Great Teams Do What?)
- 1. Break Games Down
- 2. Score Touchdowns
- 3. Give Offense Defense Good Field Position
- 4. ATTACK Oriented
- 5. Fakes - Have Fun
- How To Become Successful
- 1. Eliminate Mistakes
- a. Concentrate on Assignments
- b. Learn Rules To Take Advantage Of Them
- c. Know Situations
- d. Know What Opponent Is Trying To Do
- 2. Intensity
- a. Pay Attention To Detail
- b. All Out Pride-Hustle-Desire
-
- 3. Fundamentals
- a. Precise Skills Punters, Kickers, Snappers,
Holders
7Play Great Special Teams
- 1 INTELLIGENCE
- -Study opponent, Tendencies, Anticipate,
Players visualize, and Success - 2 EFFORT
- -Give great effort in special teams
- (Drills / Meetings / Games)
- 3 INTENSITY
- -Ability to focus in meetings practice games
- 4 TECHNIQUES
- -Be sound fundamentally
- 5 COMMITMENT
- -Can you be special for one play
8Head Coach Involvement
- Imperative to be successful
- Must stress importance of players being a part of
special teams - Knowledgeable
- Willing to use any player on special teams
- Involved in game planning and film study in order
to make sound game day decisions.
9Staff Organization
- One coordinator continuity, better productivity,
one identity, promotes smoother meetings, helps
on personnel issues - HOWEVER! Good Special teams play can not be
achieved without the dedicated help of the other
assistants.
10Personnel
- PLAY YOUR BEST PLAYERS ON SPECIAL TEAMS!!!
- No player is exempt- Our three starting
linebackers are on punt team. Our starting
corners are on kick-off. - Create a culture where great players want to play
special teams. - A good place to get young talented players game
experience. - Also a place for role players.
11Practice Organization
- 1 out of every 5 plays that take place in a game
is a Special Teams play (20). Therefore, 20 of
every practice should be dedicated to Special
Teams. - Practice time limited just as meeting time is
limited - Know exactly what you are going to do
- Have a competitive scout team
- Teach scout team off opponent film so they know
how to execute opponents schemes (draw cards)
12Special Teams Game Week Schedule
- Monday-
- Review game tape
- Preview opponent
- PAT- 5 min.
- Punt- 10 min.
- KOC- 10 min.
- Tuesday-
- PAT- 5 min.
- Punt- 10 min.
- KOR- 10 min.
- Wednesday-
- PAT- 5 min.
- Punt- 10 min.
- PR- 10 min.
- Thursday-
- Review all Special Teams
- Onside, Hands, Fakes
13Meeting Preparedness
- Make time to meet.
- Be prepared so no time is wasted.
- Limit video to exactly what the players need to
see ie.., basic schemes, fakes, special
adjustments to unusual alignments. - Meeting needs to address what you are going to
do, how you are going to do it, and why it is
going to work.
14Self Evaluate
- Grade players performance on special teams
- Evaluate your schemes. Are they succeeding?
- Do not be afraid to make a change
- Stay ahead of your opponent by constantly
evaluating your own strengths and weaknesses each
week.
15Reward Positive Performance
- Recognize good special teams performances in
front of team. We do this Monday after every
game. - Recognize a player/players of the week on a board
or with an award. - Have a goal board- just as you probably have an
offensive and defensive goal board.
16Special Teams Reminders
- 1 Set The Tone
- -No Substitute for Toughness
- (K.O. UNIT SETS THE TONE)
- 2 Ball Security
- 3 No Penalty
- 4 Establish Field Position
- 5 Big Play
- (See yourself making the BIG PLAYS)
17Opponent EvaluationQuestions to Answer?
- 1 SCHEMES
- What are their schemes?
- What is their system?
- What are they trying to do?
- 2 PERSONNEL
- Who are their dominant players?
- Who must we shut down?
- 3 WEAKNESS
- Where are their weaknesses?
- (system and personnel)
- 4 MATCHUPS
- Where are the matchups to our advantage or
disadvantage? - 5 DRILLS/TECHNIQUES
- What must we teach to win?
18Punt
Team
19Shield Punt
20Shield Punt
- Most vulnerable gaps are B and C gaps.
- We want our snapper at or below 0.8 sec.
- Our total operation should not be more than 2.1
sec. - Protectors run through their man on their way
out, not retreat backwards - The shield covers down field after ball is kicked
- If no one pressures then the shield should
immediately begin coverage - Snapper just snaps and covers
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22Shield Punt
- Splits- guards are 2 yards, tackles and ends are
2.5 to 3 yards - The 3 shield guys heels are at 8 yards from the
ball - The punter is at 14 to 15 yards from LOS
- Left and Right shield players apex the A-gap
- Middle shield starts out behind right shield and
fills gap when ball passes - The punters foot at contact with ball MUST be
right behind middle shield and be 2-3 yards from
shield- this protects the punt from being blocked
around edges or over the top
23Count System
- 4 or less on LOS, the count starts with first
defender from the outside in. - Five or more on LOS, the count starts with second
defender from outside in. - Only players on LOS will be counted. Anyone off
the line or in a stack position will not be
counted. - If five or more and the tackle or end cant get
to their man, then they make a FAN call and
counts starts back with 1. - Left shield gives the count, cadence and
direction of kick
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25Cover Lanes From Middle of Field
- L3 one yard inside number
- L2 4 yards outside hash
- L1 one yard inside left up right
- C on ball
- R1 1 yard inside right up right
- R2 4 yards outside hash
- R3 one yard inside the numbers
- LS numbers
- Punter may be the safety
- MS middle
- RS Numbers
26Cover Lanes From Hash
- L3 3 Yards from SL
- L2 Top of Numbers
- L1 Midpoint Numbers and Hash
- C Hash Mark
- R1 left Up Right
- R2 RT Up Right
- R3 Far Hash
- LS Numbers
- MS Hash to Side of Kick
- RS Middle
- Punter be the Safety
27Rugby Punt
- Splits- 1 yard for everybody on LOS
- Right side blocks gap down
- Left side scoops
- Left shield looks right A- gap back to left A-gap
- Right shield takes first thing off the edge
- Middle shield takes second off edge on his way
out, checking for penetration on his way. - Punter rolls right and is taught to hold the ball
as long as he can until he feels pressure - Returner does NOT catch the ball in the air!
28Punt Team Questionnaire
- Base Calls-
- Pressure Problem Answers-
- Coverage Problem Answers-
- Coming Out-
- Must Get Punt Off-
- Take Safety-
29Punt Team Questionnaire
- New Snapper-
- New Punter-
- Fake-
- Pooch Punt-
- Depth Issues-
30Punt
Return
31Punt Return
- Max Double 18
- Jam Jam
- Jam Crash
- Crash Jam
32Max Double 18
- Main concept is to double team the gunners with
our corners and number 1 and 8 players - Only one player rushes to ensure the kick
- The rest jam their man while keeping inside
leverage - Max means were trying to return the ball up the
middle, thats why we have inside leverage
33Max Double 18
34Jam Jam
- Players are in a sprinters stance, exploding
through the outside shoulder of blocker shooting
our hat and hands into the blocker. This is
selling the rush causing the opponent to retreat
back to protect. - When the ball is kicked, the punt team goes from
protecting to covering the kick. When the
coverage team attempts to shed our rushers, we
teach our players to sink their hips to resist
the throw and stay on their feet. - Next, our blockers must have speed to recover
back on their man and run with them maintaining a
position between cover man and returner. If our
blocker is initially defeated, he is taught to
run the cover man down. When the cover man
breaks down to tackle the returner this allows
the blocker to regain his position to make a
legal block (high and in front). - 8 ensures the kick.
35Jam Jam
36Jam Crash
- Left side is in jam mode in case we do not get
the block we can still have a left return - The right corner times up snap and rushes under 8
player. - 8 player goes over the top of wing
- 4 on the left side leaves early to cover gunner
on right to replace the corner - Take the ball off the punters foot and dont
leave your feet- Run to the block point. - If we do not block the punt, rushers continue
running to form wall on Jam side of the field.
37Jam Crash
38Crash Jam
39Punt Return Questionnaire
- Opponent Punt Formations-
- Opponent Protection-
- Opponent Coverage-
- Gunners are-
- Contain is-
- Ball Lands Generally-
- Punter is RT/LT Footed-
- Punters Average-
- Block Point is at ____ yds.
- Snapper is ________.
- Does he pull ball ________?
40Punt Return Questionnaire
- Best place to pressure kick is-
- Weakest Blocker is ______, ______, ______.
- Weakest Cover guys are ______, ______, ______.
- Best place to return punts are-
- Depth Issues-
41Punt Safe Questionnaire
- Their punt formation-
- Fakes theyve shown-
- Our Punt Safes-
42Kick - Off
Team
43Kickoff Cover
44Kick Off Cover Alignments and Cover Lanes
- 1 aligns 3 yards from the sideline and is contain
- 2 aligns top of numbers
- 3 halfway between numbers and hash
- 4 aligns 1 yard outside the hash and covers down
the hash - 5 aligns 1 inside the hash and covers to the left
upright - 6 varies alignment and covers to the ball
- 7 aligns on the right upright and covers to the
middle of goal post - 8 aligns 1 yard inside the hash and covers to the
right upright - 9 aligns 2 yards outside the hash, covers down
the hash, and is contain - 10 covers down the field beyond opposite 40 folds
to become mid level fill player - K safety
45Kick Off Cover Technique and Procedures
- Covering 2/3 of the field- reduce amount of field
to cover - Kicker places ball just inside left hash or
wherever he feels comfortable - Kickers goal is to land ball on the numbers
- The kick must be outside of hash
- Hang time should be 3.8 or better
- Must cover with speed and athleticism
- START-we want to hit the yardline where the ball
is kicked at full speed as the kicker impacts the
ball - AVOID- We must have enough speed on this unit to
avoid all early blocks with speed. You should
always avoid to the butt side of the defender. - Within ten yards of the returner we must become
two gap players and take on the defender - If a double team is encountered, we will attack
one predetermined defender. - FIT-We will determine the opponents two most used
returns and fit them just as a defense fits
offensive play schemes.(This is accomplished with
our Kick Off Fit Drill which can be seen on the
drill tape.)
46Kick Off Cover Drills
- Fit Drill
- Avoid and Two-Gap Drill
- Cover and Return Drill
- (See Drill Tape)
47Kickoff Cover Questionnaire
- Base Calls-
- Special Kicks-
- Answer if having problems in coverage-
- Against Wind Plan-
- KOC After Safety Plan-
- Must Onside.
48Kickoff Cover Questionnaire
- Depth Issues-
- List Opponents Returns-
49Kick - Off
Return
50Kick-off Return
- 1. Average 25 yards per return.
- 2. Score or set up a score.
- 3. Find the weakness and attack (Personnel or
Scheme). - 4. Personnel is critical with your front line
players. - (Hardest Technique)
- 5. Practice techniques like you are in a game
situation. - 6. Find returners that are north and south
runners. Sometimes your BEST running backs and
receivers are not the BEST kick-off returners.
(Defensive Backs) - 7. We use man protection so if your guy twists
you have him no matter what. -
51Kickoff Return
- Left Return
- Right Return
- Middle Return
- Left HASH Return
- Right HASH Return
52Left and Right Return
- We line up in a basic 5-2-2-2
- On right return, the right tackle and RE double
4 - The two FBs and LE wedge together on 1,2, and 3
- The guards, center, and other tackle man block
5,6,7,and 8 - Count starts from right to left unless Left or
Left Hash Return is called.
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55Middle Return
- Returners ensure the catch and lead up to the
wedge protecting backside. - FBs and Ends form a 4-man wedge and lead
returners down the middle of the field. - Frontline guys turn 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 out.
- 4-man wedge takes on 5 and 6.
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57Left and Right HASH Returns
- Returner that is not receiving the kick makes
sure the other returner catches and handles the
kick. Then he leads the returner to the hash
taking care of anything that shows first and then
protecting back side. - Backside End checks backside after forming wedge.
- Running the HASH Return creates a landmark for
return team to clear for the returner. It also
gives the returner a landmark to hit. - Front line pins 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 inside off the
hash. - Return side Tackle may change which way he blocks
4 depending on evaluation of 4 cover lane on
film. - Return side End blocks 3 outside away from hash.
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60Kickoff Return Questionnaire
- Base Returns-
- Special Returns-
- Wind Plan- Short Kick.
- KOR After Safety-
- Hands Team-
- Where is ball placed- Before and After Kick.
61Kickoff Return Questionnaire
- List Opponents Best Cover Guys-
- Depth Issues-
62Time Management
- Time Management in Taking the Safety
- General Rule If they have to Score Twice, then
we Punt it and force them to earn it with
execution. - If we are Up by 5(3)
- 21 seconds we Punt
- 20 or less seconds we Take the Safety.
- If we are Up by 6(4) to 10(8)
- 31 seconds we Punt it.
- 30 or less seconds we Take the Safety
63Time Management
- Squib? Kickoff at End of Half or Game
- Up by a TOUCHDOWN
- With less than 31 seconds Squib.
- With 31 or more seconds Kick Deep.
- Up by a FG
- With less than 16 seconds Squib.
- With 16 or more seconds Kick Deep.
- Up by 2 scores
- With less than 1 minute Squib.
- We may Squib with more time left in these
situations if we are very confident in our
defenses ability to hold. - CPs Kick ball at ENDS. Maintain field spacing
integrity.
64Time Management
- Onside Kicks at End of Game
- Any less time is an Onside situation
- No Timeouts need 300 min. to Kick Deep.
- (With no TOs, we must get to 3rd down at 2
minute.) - One Timeout need 230 minutes to Kick Deep
- Two Timeouts need 200 minutes to Kick Deep.
- Three Timeouts need 130 to Kick Deep.
65Time Management
- Last Second Hurry Up Field Goal
- When we are in FG range on 1st, 2nd, 3rd down.
- General In-Range rule is inside 30 yd. line, and
is subject to game conditions. - NO TIMEOUTS
- Preferred time needed to execute 17 seconds.
- 3rd Down NO KILL Clock Situation.
- Huddle Minimum play start at 24 seconds.
- No Huddle minimum call play at 34 seconds.
- 1st or 2nd Down KILL Clock Situation.
- Huddle Minumum play start at 20 seconds.
- No Huddle Minimum call play at 25 seconds.
- Kill it at 4-6 seconds.
- ONE or MORE TIMEOUTS
- Preferred time needed to execute FG and avoid
Kickoff is 4 seconds. - Call Timeout at 4-6 seconds.
- Call at 7 seconds if we want time to account for
penalty against us on attempt. - Huddle Minimum play start at 12 seconds.
- No Huddle Minimum call play at 22 seconds.
66Special Teams
67MTSU ASU OSU Ok. St. FAU FIU NT ULM WKU LSU ULL ASU
Win the Field Position Battle Win the Field Position Battle
Kick-Off Return Score or Set Up a Score
Kick-Off Return Av. 25 yrds Per Return
Kick-Off Coverage Create a Turnover
Kick-Off Coverage Hold Opponent Inside 20
Punt Return Block a Punt
Punt Return Av 10 Yrds Per Return
Punt No Blocked Punts
Punt Hold Opp to 4 Yrds Per Return
Punt Av. 43 Yrds Per Punt
FG/PAT 100
FG/PAT Block Block a Kick
68Kickers,Punters,Snappers
69To understand our kicking schedule and drills,
you first have to know our day- to- day Special
Teams practice schedule
- Monday- Thursday Periods 1-3- PAT/FG, Punt
- Monday Periods 10-11- Kickoff Coverage
- Tuesday Periods 10-11- Kickoff Return
- Wednesday Periods 10-11- Punt Return
- Thursday Periods 4-7- Everything (Fakes, Hands,
Onside, etc) - Each Period is 5 minutes.
70Specialists
- Our Kickers, Snappers, and Punters are all out on
the field 45 minutes before our team stretching
begins to start practice. - 3rd and 4th String players (walk-ons) shag balls
for starters and backups getting them ready for
periods 1-3. - They will have an opportunity to kick later in
practice and starters and backups will shag for
them.
71Troy Kickers Warm-Up
- Stretch on their own.
- Start with Lift Drill- works foot placement on
the ball and getting height on kick. (great for
freshmen used to kicking off a tee) - No Steps from 10 yd. line- works proper leg
swing, follow through the ball and HEAD DOWN!!!
72Troy Kickers Warm-Up
- 1 Step- works on adjusting to a mishandled snap
that is set late. Focuses on plant foot at the
proper spot, head down and follow through. - Full Steps- finally, we work full steps from
different spots and angles. - When snapper and kicker are ready, the holders
come down to work Snap, Hold, Kicks- making sure
we have a good/smooth operation.
73Troy Kickers Warm-Up
- Before Team stretch, kickoff return Ends and FBs
catch pooches and squibs from our kickers. - The Pooch Kick- is a shorter kick, but with the
same amount of hang time as a deep kick. Our
kickers try to land the ball 45 yards down the
field approximately the 25 yard line on the
numbers. - Kicker places tee wherever he feels most
comfortable while pooch kicking being careful not
to kick it out of bounds. - Kickers approach the ball different on pooch
kicks, so cover team must be aware and develop
proper timing on get offs.
74Troy Kickers Warm-Up
- Squib- Ends and FBs should also field squibs
from kickers. - Kickers should focus on kicking higher on the
ball to keep it low as possible. - We want the FBs to catch and return the kick.
- The ball should bounce around on the ground
before getting to the FBs. - We do not want the roll to be end over end.
- Bunt- Last, the kickers work on their bunt kicks.
The kickers approach to the ball is the same as
the deep kick. - The bunt should get to ten yards quickly and
should be recovered before 15 yards. Kickers
must feel the bunt, not too hard, but not too
slow.
75Troy Snappers Warm-Up
- Stretch on their own.
- Toss back and forth to get arms loose
- Snap over heads to work wrists and spiral of ball
- Finally, they snap to each other, starting at 10
yds. and working out to 15 yds. After punt snaps
they warm-up on short snaps. - Make sure holders and punters catch snaps before
Team stretching.
76Troy Punters Warm-Up
- Stretch on their own.
- Drops down the line- works on staying straight
and not crossing feet. Also focuses on Drop
which is most important part of punt. - No Steps- HEAD DOWN, fitting foot on ball
properly, Good Drops, follow through - 1 Steps- Good Drops, not crossing feet, fit foot
on ball
77Troy Punters Warm-Up
- Full Steps- work on Tempo, also work on bad snaps
and getting ball to drop point - Returners- catch punts during this time before
practice, working on getting to the ball,
catching ball high and in front, and elbows in,
tuck high and tight, and get north. - Last 10 minutes before stretch we work Rugby
Kicks. This is usually when punters catch snaps
from snappers.
78Troy Punters Warm-Up
- Rugby Kick- we get depth on our roll out and kick
top half of the ball. The ball should land
approximately 25 yards from the Line of
Scrimmage. - The Rugby Kick should be high enough to avoid
hitting our cover team, but low enough to prevent
the returner from fielding the punt in the air. - Punters roll out until they feel pressure. The
longer the punter holds the ball the farther down
the field our cover team gets. Do not rely on
shield to make blocks. Kick the ball as soon as
pressure is felt.
79Periods 4-9
- During this 30 minutes, we work whatever we have
coming up Periods 10-11. - Monday- Kickoff Coverage- We work our bunts,
squibs, pooches, and onside kicks. During
periods 8-9, we work on placement of our deep
kicks. - Punters will work on their punts going in.
- Snappers catch up for us with walk-ons.
80Periods 4-9
- Tuesday- Kickoff Return- During periods 8 and 9,
our kickers will work on their kickoffs in order
to give return team a good look. Also, kickers
will work on extra FGs from hashes. - Punters- work on bad snaps, down the line
focusing on drops and then extra Rugby Kicks. - Snappers and walk-ons catch up.
81Periods 4-9
- Wednesday- Punt Return- Our back up punters work
on their punts during periods 8 and 9 to prepare
for period 10 scout look. Back up snappers get
extra snaps preparing for scout punt team. - Punters kick with back ups that are getting ready
for Period 10. - Kickers- extra FGs, Onside, squibs, bunts, and
pooches - Snappers catch up and get back up snapper ready
for Punt Return.
82Periods 12- 21
- Walk-On kickers get to warm up and kick.
- Starting kickers catch up for them and help
walk-on kickers get better. - At this point, even though practice is only an
hour in, starting kickers and punters have been
kicking on and off for 2 hours. Their day is
done. We must be careful not to over kick.
83Thursday
- Periods 1-7 are all kicking
- We go over all fakes, hands team, onside kick
team, different kickoffs (pooch, bunt, squib),
kickoff returns, and all punt returns for that
weeks opponent. - Practice is shorter on Thursdays, only about 12-
14 periods. Kickers and punters are usually done
after Period 7. They should be limiting their
kicks as gameday approaches.
84PAT/FG Questionnaire
- They pressure kicks from-
- We must watch who while protecting-
- Special Kicks-
- FG Pooch
- Fake-
- Muddle Huddle-
85PAT/FG Block Questionnaire
- Block Point-
- Kick feels pressure from his RT/LT/ Middle?
- Kickers Range-
- Falls shown list-
- Best Blocks-
- Their weakest protectors-
- Do they Muddle Huddle?
- PAT/FG Safe-