What Are Special Teams in Football
Written By: Gridiron Elite Training
What Are Special Teams in Football
Written By: Gridiron Elite Training
Football is a captivating game, with its tactical maneuvers, power plays, and thrilling finishes. The sport requires a unique blend of physicality, strategy, and teamwork to achieve victory. While many fans are familiar with offense and defense, the significance of special teams is often overlooked. Special teams are an essential component of football, playing a crucial role in determining the outcome of games.
In this post, we will dive into what special teams in football are, explore the various football special teams positions, and discuss how they work together to make a difference on the field.
What are Special Teams in Football?
Special teams in football refer to a group of players who handle specific tasks during kicking plays.
These plays are not part of the offensive or defensive series; instead, they occur at the beginning of a possession (kickoffs), when a team is trying to score points (field goals and extra points), or when a team is attempting to change field position (punts).
Special teams play a vital role in shifting momentum, gaining strategic advantages, and ultimately impacting the outcome of a game.
The Importance of Special Teams
Many people underestimate the importance of special teams, but in reality, their impact on a game can be profound. Special teams can create game-changing opportunities by:
- Scoring points directly through field goals and extra points.
- Setting up the offense with excellent field position after a successful kickoff or punt return.
- Pinning the opponent’s offense deep in their territory with a well-executed punt or kickoff.
- Forcing turnovers and creating opportunities for the offense through blocked kicks, fumbles, or interceptions on trick plays.
By excelling in these areas, special teams can provide a significant edge for a team and create momentum shifts that lead to victories.
Football Special Teams Positions
Special teams units consist of players from various positions, each with unique responsibilities. Let’s explore the key football special teams positions and their roles on the field:
- Kickers: The kicker’s primary responsibility is to execute field goals and extra points. Their ability to score points directly makes them valuable assets to any team.
- Punters: Punters specialize in kicking the ball during punting situations. Their goal is to pin the opponent’s offense deep into their territory, forcing them to cover more ground to score.
- Long snappers: The long snapper is responsible for delivering a precise snap to the punter or holder during punting and kicking plays. Their accuracy is crucial to the success of these plays.
- Holders: The holder’s role is to catch the snap from the long snapper and position the ball for the kicker during field goals and extra points. Their ability to handle the snap and set the ball quickly is vital for the success of the kick.
- Kickoff and punt returners: These players are responsible for catching and returning kickoffs and punts. Their speed, agility, and vision make them a threat to score points or set up the offense with a favorable field position.
- Gunners: Gunners are the players who sprint downfield on punting plays to tackle the returner or down the ball near the opponent’s goal line. Their speed and tackling ability are essential for pinning the opposing offense deep in their territory.
- Blockers: Blockers are responsible for protecting the kicker or punter during kicking plays and creating running lanes for returners on kickoff and punt returns. Their blocking ability is crucial for the success of special teams plays.
- Special teams specialists: These players excel in specific aspects of special teams, such as blocking kicks, recovering onside kicks, or executing trick plays. Their unique skills contribute to the overall effectiveness of the special teams unit.
Special Teams Strategy and Tactics
Special teams coordinators employ various strategies and tactics to gain an advantage during kicking plays. Some of these tactics include:
- Directional kicking: Punters and kickers may intentionally kick the ball toward the sidelines to limit the returner’s running lanes, reducing the chances of a long return.
- Onside kicks: An onside kick is a high-risk, high-reward play where the kicking team attempts to recover the ball after it travels the required 10 yards. This strategy is often used when a team is trailing late in the game and needs to regain possession quickly.
- Fake punts and field goals: Trick plays, such as fake punts and field goals, can catch the opposing team off guard and result in significant gains or even touchdowns. These plays involve the punter or holder passing or running the ball instead of executing the expected kick.
- Pooch punts: A pooch punt is a short, high punt used to pin the opposing team deep into their territory. The goal is to give the receiving team little room for a return and force them to start their offensive drive with poor field position.
- Squib kicks: A squib kick is a low, bouncing kickoff designed to make it difficult for the return team to handle the ball cleanly. This strategy is often employed to prevent dangerous returners from getting a clean catch and setting up a long return.
Training and Developing Special Teams Players
To excel in their roles, special teams players must undergo rigorous training and develop specific skills. Some key aspects of special teams training include:
- Technique: Special teams players, such as kickers, punters, and long snappers, must master their techniques to execute their responsibilities consistently and accurately.
- Strength and conditioning: Special teams players need to maintain peak physical condition to perform at their best. Strength and conditioning programs help improve speed, agility, and power, which are essential for success on special teams.
- Vision and awareness: Returners and coverage players must develop excellent vision and awareness to read the field and make split-second decisions during high-pressure situations.
- Mental toughness: Special teams players often face high-pressure situations where the outcome of a single play can significantly impact the game. Developing mental toughness helps them perform consistently under pressure and bounce back from setbacks.
Concluding Football Special Teams
Special teams in football play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of games. Comprising various positions with unique responsibilities, these units work together to create game-changing opportunities, score points, and gain strategic advantages.
By understanding the intricacies of special teams and appreciating their impact on the game, fans can gain a deeper appreciation for the sport and the players who excel in these often-underappreciated roles.
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