If you do make the time and want to try to return the ball then follow the advice below and you should have some great success in the return game.

Kick and punt returns

Standard returns: The biggest choice facing a kick returner is whether to attempt to run the ball back. Generally, a returner who catches a kickoff or punt in the “red zone” between the receiving team’s own end zone and 20-yard line attempts some sort of return, if only to gain a few yards. If the receiving team’s players can get into position quickly, they may be able to allow the returner to gain further yardage, or break away from the pack entirely and score a touchdown.

Laterals: In extreme cases—generally during kickoff returns in the closing seconds of play—the returner may attempt a lateral pass to avoid the ball being downed in a tackle. The return team may throw as many lateral passes as they choose, and this is normally done in a desperate attempt to keep the ball alive. This notably occurred on January 8, 2000, during a wild-card game between the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills, in a play known as the Music City Miracle. In the game’s final seconds, Lorenzo Neal, Frank Wycheck and Kevin Dyson combined on a 75 yard kickoff return touchdown to give the Titans a 21-16 lead (22-16 after the extra point), allowing Tennessee to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Another well-known occurrence is an occasion during an NCAA game regarded as “The Play” in which the University of California return team utilized 5 lateral passes for a successful return and a come-from-behind victory.

Fair catches: A kick returner may signal a fair catchif the ball will be caught with good field position, or if the kicking team’s members are advancing so quickly that a return is impossible. However, he is penalized if he attempts a return after signaling a fair catch; likewise, players who tackle a returner who has signaled a fair catch is penalized. If a player waves for a fair catch and then fails to touch the ball, it may be downed as normal by the kicking team, but if recovered by the receiving team, may not be advanced. However, if any member of the receiving team catches a ball and then drops it, it becomes a live ball and may be recovered by either side.

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“Live balls” and “Dead balls”: If a punted ball is touched after passing the line of scrimmage, even inadvertently, by a member of the receiving team it becomes a live ball and may be recovered as if a fumble by the kicking team. Conversely if the receiving team doesn’t touch the ball and a member of the kicking team touches it, the ball is ruled down where it is touched and play is dead. All place-kicked balls—kick-offs, field goal attempts, and the like—are live balls, which may be played in one way or another by either team (subject to restrictions in the case of any “free” kick: see onside kick).

Downing the ball

If, for whatever reason, the receiving team does not catch the ball, the kicking team may move into position and try to down it as close as possible to the opposing team’s end zone. This is achieved by surrounding the ball and allowing it to roll or bounce, without touching it, as close as possible to the end zone. If the ball appears to be rolling or bouncing into the end zone, a player may run in front of the goal line and attempt to bat it down or catch it. If a member of the kicking team touches or catches the ball before a member of the receiving team does so, the ball is blown dead by the official when he has judged that the returner is not going to pick up the ball and return it, or the kicking team picks the ball up and hands it to the official. Once the whistle is blown the play is over and the receiving team takes possession at the spot the ball was spotted by the official.

Thus it is strategically important for kicking teams to get as close to the ball as possible after a punt, so that they may quickly tackle a returner, down the ball as close to the opposing team’s end zone as possible, and (if possible) recover the ball after a fumble and regain possession of the ball.

I like to look back after the big game has ended and see what compare to little kid football.  Yeah I know, I stated in my last post that the NFL and Pee Wee football are incomparable since  they are so different, but there are many similarities that I’d like to look at here.

The unsung hero of the game, as far as I’m concerned is the Giants punter.  Not only did he set up the safety to open the scoring in the game, but he also pinned the Patriots three times inside the ten yard line.  Any coach nows that dominating field position is one of the main objectives entering into every football game.  Allot can happen on a 90 yard drive and making the Patriots go that far made a huge difference in the game.

Anyone who doesn’t believe luck helps you win needs to take a closer look at the Super Bowl.  Turnovers will KILL your team, regardless of the age group, experience or talent level.  This is especially true if you are playing a team of equal skills and abilities.  In the NFL, especially at the Super Bowl the teams are usually pretty even as far as talent goes.  The opposite of a turnover is called a break.  The Giants had THREE major breaks as they fumbled three times, yet recovered all three.  The Patriots were extremely aggressive at stripping the ball, yet lady luck made sure a Giant player was close enough to recover it.  Remember back to the San Francisco game?  Williams lost two punt returns, both recovered by the Giant and San Francisco kissed away a chance at he Super Bowl.

The other major note form the game was the ridiculous amount of 12 men on the field penalties.  Yeah I know the last one by the Giants was “tactical” but the earlier penalty wasn’t and neither was the Patriots.  In youth football if you continue to make stupid mistakes you can most likely kiss victory Good-Bye.

I know everyone wants to focus on certain player performances like Walker dropping a “sure catch” after leading the league in receptions and Gronkowski’s disappearing act after breaking numerous NFL tight end records, but the reality in the NFL and youth football is “Don’t tell me what you did for me yesterday, tell me what you can do for me today”.  I have many players have unbelievable regular seasons, only to fade away come playoff time.

I hope everyone enjoyed the game and like I wrote in my “prediction” post any team can win on any given day in the NFL.

Below is a great technique used by a fellow coach who has had nothing but success with his youth defenses.

For years, I have struggled to teach tackling. Because breakdown is such a huge part of tackling, it’s tough to get the athletes to associate the marriage between breakdown, momentum, control, and form. Here is a drill i started doing and has huge impact on how we approach ball carriers.

Progression Tackling Drill
Here is a drill I started doing and has huge impact on how we approach ball carriers.

Step One: Setting up the drill
Take 4 Tackling Bags and make one strait long line, having them touching on the end.

Step Two: Building of muscle & mind memory in the athlete.
Start everyone at the end start of the bags and begin in footfire, traveling down the bags, keeping but down, head up and bag between legs. Takes 20 seconds to travel the distance of 4 bags. Use fingers and have them call out numbers to ensure they are not watching their feet.

Step Three: Incorporate Form Tackling
Make 2 lines of athletes, one at each end facing each other. Line A the tackler and Line B the ball carrier. Have first athlete in line A start footfire down the line, when they get the the start of the last bag, have the ball carrier run down the line keeping the bag between his feet. Have Athlete A wrap and thrust up, carrying the ball carrier back to the place he started.

Step 4: Pick up the pace
Now have them execute the same drill but running the first bag, on second bag, start the decent into the tackling position, while foot firing. When athlete A gets to the second bag, have athlete B start running at him. Have athlete A form fit, thrust and drive athlete b back to starting position.

Step 5: Be creative
I even incorporated angle tackles with this technique and it works beautifully. They learn quick, and really build the muscle and memory needed to be a proficient tackle.

It takes time, but the time is well spent teaching  tackling using these tips.

In case you missed it, the Glazier eClinics have started and are getting rave reviews.  Below is the original posting from earlier this month.

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You need to teach your defensive line to control their gap and look for ball carriers.  Checkout the detailed post from Coach Bye.

Image by john mct's photos via Flickr

By Dale Bye, eHow Contributor
updated November 08, 2011

Knowing how a defensive lineman reads a play will help you become a better player, coach or fan. Although it’s difficult to watch defensive linemen — instead of the quarterback or running back — focusing on line play, even on replays, will help you understand why a play succeeded or failed. Take your cue from the same keys that defensive linemen read.

1

Look at the offensive linemen’s stance. In a three-point stance, in which the offensive lineman puts one hand on the ground, the play could be either a pass or run. But if the offensive lineman sets up without a hand on the ground, it’s almost certainly a passing play. Defensive linemen also try to discern how much pressure the offensive lineman puts on his hand. If the offensive lineman is putting a lot of weight on his hand, that indicates he’s leaning forward, probably to charge out on a running play. When the offensive lineman is back on his heels, it’s often a pass, though sometimes he is getting ready to run — or pull — to the edge of the formation for an outside running play.

2

React to the first step of the nearest offensive lineman. If it’s back, it’s a pass. If it’s straight ahead into the defensive lineman, the play likely will be a run just to the left or right of the initial collision. If the offensive lineman takes a step toward the defensive lineman’s shoulder, it’s because the play calls for the defensive lineman to be steered one way or the other away from the hole where the play will be run.

3

Watch out if it’s too easy. If the defensive lineman is not blocked immediately, he must start looking around because the play is coming at him. It might be a trap — a lineman from the other side of the ball trying to blindside the defensive lineman. It might be a draw — letting the defensive lineman charge up field, then slipping the ball to a running back behind the charging defensive lineman. Or it might be an option play, where the quarterback hands off or pitches to a running back swinging wide, depending on the actions of the defensive linemen.

4

Check the offensive lineman’s drop. If the offensive lineman steps back to protect the quarterback, it is the defensive lineman’s job to get past, either by getting around — usually a defensive end — the offensive lineman in front of him or by overpowering or knocking the offensive lineman off balance. But see where the offensive lineman sets up his block; it will tip the defensive lineman whether it’s a quick pass — get the hands up — or a longer play — put some pressure on the passer.

5

Watch for a screen pass. If an offensive lineman engages but then releases the defensive lineman, the defense should read that as a possible screen pass and check both flats for the outlet receiver.

6

Find the ball. Once the defensive lineman has read the play and neutralized the offensive lineman who engages him,

Read more: How to Read a Play as a Defensive Lineman | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/how_121922…man.html#ixzz1hbdQVc7V

All of these techniques can easily be taught and worked on daily with your defensive line.  By teaching the above six tips, I guarantee   massive improvement from your defensive line play.

How important is it to change up the snap count in youth football?  In my humble opinion, it is one of the most important tools you should have in your arsenal.

Learning how do go on a different snap count in youth football has been one of the primary things I work on with my offense from day one.  In our system, we need to be able to go on a silent snap and any one of our four basic cadence calls.  Once we have mastered this, we then work on a longer snap count.  We even have a snap count in youth football that never snaps the ball until a keyword is spoken, then we snap the ball a certain amount of calls after the keyword.  This is very powerful and keeps the defense off guard making it close to impossible to jump the snap count in youth football.

The one thing you need to beware of is when the defense starts calling out signals or starts repeating your snap counts in youth football.  If this happens you should contact the officials and let them know what is going on.

Think the snap count is only important at the youth level?  Guess again as you remember this past weekend’s games where on more than one occasion the 49er’s and Giants used the snap count to help win games.

Over the year, I have won many games just by manipulating the defense with the snap count.  If the defense is last I use a silent count.  If the opponent is aggressive, I use a longer count.

By keeping the defense off guard, we can gain an advantage when on offense.

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How Tennis Balls Help Make Drastic Improvements with Receivers : Football Drills & Plays