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GENERAL PRINCIPLES
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1. The Kick-off is the first offensive play of the series. ..it means field position.
Set the TEMPO of the game; create the big play.

2. Focus the football through the Kicker. Expect an On-side Kick, and never
start to retreat until the ball is kicked.

3. Always utilize proper body position with a wide base. Know the depth and
position of where the ball is kicked, so you can take advantage of angles.
Never..cJJe or BLOCK BELOW THE WAIST.

4. Maintain leverage and take advantage of the defender's momentum when

you block. When blocking the opponent in/out, be in the adjacent man's
lane to create the best angle.

5. Get on and down the ball any time it rolls into the end zone.

)1 6. Once a return man leaves the end zone with possession of the football, he
cannot return to down the ball. We do not have to return a ball from the
end zone, even if it was touched in the field of play.

.7. Our first goal is to SCORE, and our second goal is to return past the 50-
yard line. ..CREATE A BIG PLAY.

8. AJways be aware of the WIND. If our opponent is kicking offjJltQ a strong

wind, be alert for a SQUIB KICK-OFF.

9. Anticipate an On-side Kick by our opponent if we have incurred a 15-yard

penalty and they are kicking from our-45 yard line.

10. Everyone study your blocking assignments through film. Timing is essential
for good execution. Be alert for a short call to start blocking early.

11. Everyone should be able to anticipate the direction of the kick from the
action of the Kicker as outlined in the scouting report.

12. The Center and Middle End will be responsible for setting the wedge and
calling any adjustments in return directions.

13. The Safety will call who is going to make the catch. ALWAYS CATCH THE
BALL MOVING FORWARD.

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. RETURN SPECIALISTS

1. Practice sound fundamentals when handling each ball. Look at the ball in your hands; tuck
it away tight. Get in the habit of keeping a tight grip on the nose of the ball with your elbow
and arm. Learn to run with the ball in a secure position. You can have the ball swing back
and forth in a natural rhythm and still keep the ball in close to your body with tight pressure,
front and rear. When you get tackled, bring the ball in close and protect it with both hands.

2. Catch all Kick-offs. Do not allow the ball to hit the ground. Do not run a droDDed bailout
of the end zone.

3. A kick that goes into the end zone will not be run out We will take the ball on the 20-yard
line. EXCEPTION: COACH TEWNG YOU TO RUN OUT PRIOR TO KICK.

4. Poise is required in your job. Always be alert and thinking back there. Know the returns
and the blocking patterns so you can take advantage of our blocking angle.

5. A bouncing Kick-off that ricochets off you or one of our players into the end zone can be
downed for a touchback, and we get the ball on the 20-yard line (the impetus that sent the
. kick into the end zone came from the Kicker, even though it may have bounced off of
you or one of our players).

6. Watch the Kickers angle to anticipate a corner kick. If the Kick-off goes into a corner of the
field, sprint over in front of the ball.

7. Catching a Kick-off going forward is one of the fundamentals of good returns. The kicking
team knows this so they frequently try to prevent this from happening by kicking it to the
comer. If they can get you to field the ball going sideways or going backwards, your
momentum will be effectively slowed.

8. Another tactic to nullify a good return man is to Squib Kick. Field these types of balls as
quickly as possible, and get aJl you can, straight ahead to the goal line.

9. Know the Kicker; where he puts the ball, average distance and hang time.

10. Be conscious of the WIND. Is he kicking with it or against it? How strong is it?

11. Safety will be designated to call .ME", "YOU', or .SHORr on all Kick-off receptions.

12. The designated fullback will call .STAY- and position himself in front of the receiving Safety
when the ball is kicked into the end zone.

13. Run with authority. You only get to make one cut and must hit the hole full speed.

14. Always practice these good fundamentals as if it were game day, and it will be automatic in
.a game.

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~ COACHING
POINTS

1. Front Une -do not leave until you see the ball kicked.

2. If you are Double Teaming with someone, do not knock him off his block.

3. Do not let your man run past you.

4. Anyone can fair catch a kick-off.

5. Front Une -if the ball is Squibble-kicked, do not let it hit you (GET OUT OF
THE WAY).

6. Do not clip and make all blocks above the waist.

7. Think "SCORE" every time we return a kick-off.

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8
.RIGJjT RETURN
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RIGHT I LEFT RETURN COUNTING:

We will count from 1 -10 to the side of the return. We will not count any
safety. Each week the Scouting Report will inform you who the safeties are.

8
If the kick off team has headhunters, they will be assigned higher numbers.

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. KJCK-OFF RETURN RIGHT

RIGHT TACKLE You are responsible for #3. Sink to proper depth, block
him outside/in. (C.P.) Right Tight End will Double
Team #3 with you. Align on + 48 inside numbers.

RIGHT GUARD You are responsible for #4. Sink to proper depth, block
him outside/in. Align on +48 outside hash.

CENTER You are responsible for #5. Sink to a proper depth,

block him outside/in. (Do not line up in front of the ball)
Align on +48.

LEFT GUARD You are responsible for #6. Sink to proper depth.
Block him away from return. Align on + 48 outside
hash.

..LEFT TACKLE You are responsible for #7. Sink to proper depth.
Block him away from return. Align on + 48 inside
numbers.

RIGHT END You are responsible for Double Team #3 with Right
Tackle. Align on -36 between numbers and hash.

MIDDLE END You are responsible for Double Team #2 with Right
Fullback. Align on -25 in middle of the field.

LEFT END You are responsible for #8. Sink and block him away
from the return. Algin on -36 between numbers and
hash.

RIGHT FULLBACK You are responsible for Double Team #2 with Middle
End. Align on -10 on hash.

LEFT FULLBACK First responsibility is to make sure that the Safety

catches the ball. You will lead him into the alley. Block
first threat that shows. Align on -10 on hash (#1).

.SAFETY "RETURN"1

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 RETURN RIGHT

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 KlCK-OFF RETURN LEFT

.LEFT TACKLE You are responsible for #3. Sink to proper depth, block
him outside/in. (C.P.) Left Tight End will Double Team
#3 with you. Align on + 48 inside numbers.

LEFT GUARD You are responsible for #4. Sink to proper depth, block
him outside/in. Align on +48 outside hash.

CENTER You are responsible for #5. Sink to proper depth, block
him outside/in (DO NOT LINE UP IN FRONT OF THE
BALL). Align on +48.

RIGHT GUARD You are responsible for #6. Sink to proper depth.
Block him away from return. Align on + 48 outside
hash.

RIGHT TACKLE You are responsible for #7. Sink to proper depth.
. Block him away from return. Align on + 48 inside
numbers.

LEFT END You are responsible for Double Team #3 with Left
Tackle. Align on -36 between numbers and hash.

MIDDLE END You are responsible for Double Team #2 with Left
Fullback. Align on -25 in middle of field.

RIGHT END You are responsible for #8. Sink and block him away
from the return. Align on -36 between numbers and
hash.

LEFT FULLBACK You are responsible for #2. Double Team with Middle
End. Align on -10 on hash.

RIGHT FULLBACK First responsibility is to make sure that the Safety

. catches the ball. You will lead him into the alley. Block
first threat that shows (#1). Align on -10 on hash.

SAFETY "RETURN"

-
 RETURN LEFT

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 WEDGE ON THE BALL

e. The front line will drop back to the 35-yard line to form the front wedge.

CENTER Align on the + 48 between the hash marks, never in front of the
ball. After seeing the ball kicked, sprint back to the 35-yard
line in front of the fullback. Center will block first man to the
right. Never set up outside the hash.

GUARDS Align on the +48 out side of hash. Turn inside and sprint to
the Center setting up on him, then turn and sprint back up the
field blocking man on to first man outside.

TACKLES Align on the + 48 just outside the numbers. Turn inside, sprint
to the Guard on your side to set up on the Center; align no
wider than one yard outside of your Guard. Then sprint upfield
blocking man over to first man outside.

ENDS Align in front of the 35-yard line, splitting the distance between
the numbers and the hash. Sprint to a spot behind the Tackle
e in the front wedge block first man to show outside Tackle's
block. Never retreat more than 5 yards to catch the ball.

MIDDLE END Align in the middle of the field on the 25-yard line. Drop back
and set the middle of the back wedge 1 a yards in front of the
ball. When the kick is caught, turn and sprint straight upfield
and block first defender to show through the middle of the
front wedge.

BACKS Base alignment is on the 1a-yard line, not the hash marks.
Once the ball is kicked, turn and sprint to a spot 8 to 1a yards
in front of the ball. Turn and sprint upfield, block first man to
show outside the end's block. C.P. one Fullback should be
designated to keep Safety from running out of the end zone if
the ball is more than 2 yards deep in the end zone.

SAFETY Base alignment middle of the field or by scouting report, 5-yard

line to Goal Une. Field kick, sprint straight upfield, follow
Fullback and break off his block. Stay full speed through wall,
e never hesitate. C.P. never let a kick hit the ground. Safety
makes all calls concerning kick, if Back fields it, stay behind
him to insure catch, then get in front to block as best you can.

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.WEDGE RETURN

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 KICKOFF RETURN

.~ Return

Center (C)

See the ball kicked, then retreat to get position on R-2. Your drop
position
OVER HIM. will be important, trapping him out on the return side. -RUN
--
Guards (G)

Right Guard -See the ball kicked, then retreat by turning inside,
get depth and find R-4. You must block him to the inside. Get into
position to make the block at the 30 yard line.

Left Guard -See the ball licked, then retreat hard to the inside
for position on R-5. Keep him away from the return area. Good
position will assist you in executing this block.

Tackles (T)

Right Tackle -See the ball kicked, then retreat by turning outside,

.
get depth and find R-3. You will block him to the inside. Get into
position to make the block at the 30 yard line.

Left Tackle -See the ball kicked, then drive hard for position
inside of R~6. You are blocking the most dangerous man attempting
to get behind the wedge. Hustle to get position _:in order to protect
the backside of the return.

Ends (E)

Right End -See the ball kicked, then make your normal drop
10 yards from the ball. Angle to the 20 yard line, block R-l to
the outside. ~ ~~. Keep,the manon the sideline.
Left End -See the ball kicked, then make your normal drop to
get position on R-7. R-7 is most dangerous in getting behind the
wedge. Hustle to get position in order to protect the backside of
the return.

Fullbacks (F)

Right Fullback -See the ball kicked, then make your normal wedge
drop 10 yeards from the ball. Angle to the hash mark-you are the
center of the wedge. ~ ~ ~ DIFFERENT
~ SHIRTS.
Left Fullback -See the ball kicked, then make your normal wedge
drop 10 yards from the ball. Angle to the hash mark -get shoulder
to shoulder with the fullback -~ ~ ~ DIFFERENT
COLOR
SHIRTS.
.HALFBACKS (H)

The halfback receiving the kickoff will run hard to the butt of the
wedge. Your sprint should be at an angle to the 25 yard line on the
right hash mark. Your speed should be full speed on the first step.
The blocking halfback gets upfield and gets shoulder to shoulder
with the wedge. You will always be the wing man on the wedge.
 -RED" ~,
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 KICKOFF RETURN

.~ Return

Center (C)

See the ball kicked, then retreat to get position on L-2. Your drop
position will be important, trapping him out on the return side. RUN
OVERHIM. -
--
Guards (G)

Right Guard -See the ball kicked, then retreat by turning inside,
get depth and find L-4. You must block him to the inside. Get into
position to make the block at the 30 yard line.

Left Guard -See the ball kicked, then retreat hard to the inside
for position on L-5. Keep him away from the return area. Good
position will assist you in executing this block.

Tackles (T)

R!ght Tackle -See the ball kicked, then retreat by turning outside,
get depth and find L-3. You will block him to the inside. Get into
position to make the block at the 30 yard line.

Left Tackle -See the ball kicked, then drive hard for position
inside of L-6. You are blocking the most dangerous man attempting
. to get behind the wedge. Hustle to get position in order to protect
the backside of the return.

Ends (E)

Right End -See the ball kicked, then make your normal drop
10 yards from the ball. Angle to the 20 yard line, block L-l to
the outside. ~ ~ ~. Keep the man on the sideline.
Left End -See the ball kicked, then make your normal drop
to get position on L-7. L-7 is most dangerous in getting behind
the wedge. Hustle to get position in order to protect the backside
of the return.

Fullbacks (F)

Ri~ht Fullback -See the ball kicked, then make your normal wedge
drop 10 Yards from the ball. Angle to the hash mark-you are the
center of the wedge. ~ ~ ~ DIFFERENT
COLOR
SHIRTS.

Left Fullback -See the ball kicked, then make your normal wedge
drop 10 yards from the ball. Angle to the hash mark -get shoulder
---
to shoulder with the fullback -RUN OVERALL DIFFERENT
COLOR
SHIRTS.
Halfbacks (H)

.The halfback receiving the kickoff will run hard to the butt of the
wedge. Your sprint should be at an angle to the 25 yard line on the
right hash mark. Your speed should be full speed on the first step.
The blocking halfback gets upfield and gets shoulder to shoulder
with the wedge. You will always be the wing man on the wedge.

-
 KICK-OFF RETURN

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. RIGHT TACKLE
MAN TO MAN MIDDLE KlCKD£F RETURN

You are responsible for #8 -Block

inside / out. Align on + 48.
him

RIGHT GUARD You are responsible for #7 -Block him

inside/out. Align on +48.

CENTER You are responsible for #5 -Block him to your

left. Align on + 48.

LEFT GUARD You are responsible for #4 -Block him

inside/out. Align on +48.

LEFT TACKLE You are responsible for #3 -Block him

inside/out. Align on +48.

.LEFT TIGHT END You are responsible for #2 -Block him

" inside / out. Align on -35.

MIDDLE TIGHT END You are responsible for #6 -Block him to your
right. Align on -25.

RIGHT TIGHT END You are responsible for #9 -Block him

inside/out. Align on -35.

RIGHT FULLBACK Align on -10. Make sure safety catches football.

Lead returner upfield, clean up any leakage in
middle.

LEFT FULLBACK Align on -10. Make sure safety catches football.

.
Lead returner upfield, clean up any leakage In
middle.

.SAFETY Catch football. Middle return.

 8 MAN RETURN

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 RECEIVING ON-SIDE KICK

[,;;;. When we are expecting an on-side kick, we will insert our :n~:;d-e ~eCeiVing return team in the
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c, FRONT LINE Normal alignment may change by situations. If the ball is kicked hard let it go
through and block the first threat downfield. When the ball is kicked slowly and
right at our front line they will fall on it. **NOTE: DO ~ try to pick up the ball
and run with it. If the ball is kicked deep we will drop back and use our "Wedge on
the Ball" return.

SECOND LINE Receivers' and backs' alignments now move up to within 5 yards of the offensive
lineman. Left end will be in the gap between the LT and LG. Left upback will be in
the gap between LG and Center. Safety will be between the RG and Center. The
right upback is between the RG and RT. The right end is lined up outside the RT. If
the ball is kicked hard fall on it and remaining receivers will block the first threat to
the ball. **NOTE: If kicked deep, "Wedge on the Ball" return.

SAFETY Move alignment up, now the safety is responsible for any ball kicked deep. It will
be a "Wedge on the Ball" return. We will tell you to down the ball where caught or
returned. The game situation dictates this. "DON'T BE CARELESS".

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* WE WilL MOVE ALIGNMENT ACCORDING TO WHAT TYPE OF ON-SIDE KICK WE

MAY SEE FROM WEEK TO WEEK. DUKE UNIVERSITY EXTRA-POINT AND
FIELD GOAL

.., "..., "Iii' 0.1",

 -

KICKOFF REVERSE
.REVERSE LEFT

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RT: Block right return j'C ~I ~

RG: ---!/

C:
LG: Start return right to approx. 35 yard line, then peel back and block first threat

LT: ~ reacting to the reverse.

LTE:
RFB: Block right return and protect the handoff.

LFB: Start return right then peel back and kick out. Contain man for reverse.

Returner w/out ball: Lead returner w/balilike right return, however, stay away from
the ball side handoff for reverse.

Returnerw/ball: Execute right return, then hand ball ~nQ. ~ to reverse man
(RTE). Depth will dependon kick.

(RTE) ReverseMan: Sink as you would in right return, then fall behind returner to
receive the handoff. Look for your farside FB for your kick out
block.

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