Kickoff Coverages the
Penn State Way
Larry Johnson
Defensive Line and Special
Teams Coach
Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pa.
O n behalf of Joe Paterno and
Pennsylvania State University coach-
ing staff and players, it is truly an honor and
privilege to have this opportunity to con-
tribute to the AFCA Summer Manual.
Penn State’s approach to winning is we
believe there are three departments of
play: offense, defense and kicking. It is our
feeling that we must win the kicking game.
Players and coaches must believe and give
attention to the kicking game because it is
one third of the football game. More big
breaks occur in the kicking game than any-
where else. Breaks occur where a team or
player is not prepared for a situation.
Kicking situations should be practiced over
and over so that we make these breaks
ourselves. It is our belief that most close
games are won by the team with the best
kicking game. We will win two more games
a year if we have a good kicking game.
Special Team Philosophy
Great teams don’t merely have ade-
quate special teams. They have special
teams that can break games open, score
touchdowns, force turnovers, give their
offense and defense good field position as
often as possible. We want to be attack-ori-
ented. We want to be very competitive. We
want to break it down into little battles that
are fought on every play. We want them
fighting until the whistle blows. Once you
get those little battles going on, it becomes
very intimidating for the other team.
Elements of a Successful Kicking Game
Elimination of Mistakes: Concentrate
on assignments. Learn vital rules to take full
advantage of them. Be aware of the situa-
tion. Be aware of what your opponent is try-
ing to accomplish.
Intensity: Refer to every little detail in the
kicking game. Must be all out Pride-Hustle-
Desire.
Fundamentals: Precise skills are
involved. Punters, snappers, holders, place-
kickers, must work many extra hours at their
skills. They must concentrate. Distances at
which holders and kickers must locate them-
selves, timing and getting kicks away must
be worked on tirelessly. The above needs
precise and constant attention.
Personnel Selection
The success of any special team unit is
the selection of the players. We believe
that we must play our best players to be
successful. When we say the best players,
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
we truly mean players who are first team
defense and offense. We want our best 11
on the field at all times. We want a special
team player who is pure and can play with
reckless abandon and not feel restrained
by technical sophistication. Of all the
ingredients that are considered in the
selection of special teams personnel, the
most important ingredients a player must
possess are personal character, unselfish-
ness, team oriented, courageous and an
enthusiastic winner. These things will
make our special teams successful. Our
kickoff coverage team consist of lineback-
ers and defensive backs that are good
open-field tacklers and that have outstand-
ing speed.
Kickoff Coverage and General Information
The kickoff team can set the tone for an
entire game or half by making a great play
or an exceptional big hit. Remember, the
kicker must be a big part of setting the
tone, being precise and consistent in hang-
time and location of the kick.
The only statistic that has real signifi-
cance in kickoff coverage is the yard line.
Our goal on the kickoff team is not to allow
a return past the 20-yard line. Each mem-
ber of the kickoff team plays a major role in
keeping the yard lines as low as possible.
We can have great kickoff coverage only
by having:
• High, deep kicks.
• Proper (directional) kick placement
with appropriate distance.
• Aggressive, fast reckless coverage
personnel.
• Proper lane distribution.
• Proper positioning of safeties and con-
tain men at all times.
• Speed, speed, speed and more speed
• Great second effort.
• Toughness and hitting.
Our major points of emphasis in devel-
oping our teams:
• Kick placement (location).
• Get off.
• Speed.
• Adjustments to the ball.
• Beat blocks.
• Close and tackle.
Mechanics
Stance
• All turn and face the kicker with your
hands on your knees bent and able to see
the kicker and the ball.
 Start
• The referee will signal the ball ready
for play.
• The kicker will check both sides to see
that we are ready.
• He will lower his hand to signal the
coverage team members the start of his
approach. From this point on, everyone
must time their approach so that we are at
full stride at the time of the kick (one step
behind the kicker running full speed).
• It is imperative that no one is ever off-
side. One and eight are responsible for
reminding everyone once we line up to be
on side.
• Wait until the kicker starts. See him --
as the kicker starts his cross-over step, roll
into your speed. Do not take a false step.
Your approach is the same as the kicker.
Time it up. As he hits the ball, you must be
at full speed with your eyes up.
• The whole unit should hit the line togeth-
er like a “steel rod” driven through the unit.
Diagram 1: Base Alignment
We always align the ball two and a half
to three yards off the left hash. We do this
for two reasons: 1. we want to limit the field
space and 2. we want to limit the number of
returns a team can run against us and in
most cases, we see the same return each
week.
You should never let your alignment
interfere with the kicker’s ability to
approach or see the ball. We ask our kick-
er to directional kick aiming for the bottom
of the numbers at the five yard line.
Coaching Point: When we direction-
al kick from the hash, number three and
four must be aware of this alignment
and everyone else for timing. From our
Diagram 2: Kickoff Coverage Huddle
base alignment, we will make individual
adjustments all designed to time up kick
one yard behind kicker as he kicks the
ball, running almost full speed. Once
you learn your proper alignment, study
the place-kicker’s step and approach.
Align the same place every time. T h e
key to our success is great timing and
speed.
Huddle
A. We will always first, huddle on the
sideline with the coach. Players will be
checked and reminders given.
B. On the field huddle: This will take
place on the 25 yard line.
C. The kicker will give the call and say
ready, call, clap and everyone will sprint to
their spot for that call.
D. We have 25 seconds to kick the ball
off.
Alignment and Assignment Base
1: Five yards from sideline. Straight
down, maintain outside leverage, do not let
them kick you out.
2: Five yards from sideline. Straight
down, find the ball, do not let them split
you.
9: Five yards from outside of hash,
Straight down, find the ball. Make the ball
carrier commit in one direction.
3: On the hash. Straight down the hash,
you own it, then get to the ball.
4: Four yards inside the hash. Straight
down, proceed to the ball , wedge breaker.
5: Four yards apart, straight down, pro-
ceed to the ball, wedge breaker.
6: On the hash, straight down the hash,
you own it, then get to the ball.
7: Three yards outside of the hash.
Straight down, find the ball.
10: Three yards apart, straight down the
field, find the ball. Make the ball carrier
commit in one direction. Rover.
8: Three yards from the sideline, full
sprint 20 yards, fold behind 6, 7, no further
than hash unless ball is committed away
from you (maintain leverage).
Kicker: Kick the ball to the left bound-
ary. Become the safety on the left, hash,
Diagram 3: Zone Chart
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
keep leverage on the ball. There are three
zones that you must be concerned about.
Speed and Read Zone: Sprint down
the field while reading your return key to
see which return the opponent is using, as
well as the direction of the return.
Avoid Zone: Avoid all blocks to the tail
of the opponent, then get back into your
lane except for contain persons; never
avoid blocks to the inside.
Contact Zone: Attack and play through
all blocks and defeat blocks; cannot get
caught on a side of a blocker in the contact
zone. We want to see every player of the
opponents knocked down on the kickoff.
Hit the Line like a Steel Rod
Now let’s be more specific and divide
the actual coverage down into the physical
components of kickoff coverage. Kickoff
coverage has four distinct phases. Each
has a skill that we try to develop and
improve through drills and work in funda-
mental techniques. These skills are:
Get Off: This must be timed with the
approach of the kicker. It includes stance,
alignment, proper vision of the ball and
immediate acceleration to maximum
speed.
A. Stance and Alignment: We have
already described this. We must have prop-
er spacing and see the kicker. Utilize a two-
point stance with the weight up on balls of
the feet. As the kicker passes, begin your
takeoff. Remember we want full speed on
the take off.
B. Proper Vision: Never lose sight of
the kicker. Poor vision and timing will result
in an offside penalty. Let the kicker pass
before we take off.
C. Acceleration: This is as the cover-
age men cross the 35 yard line. Accelerate
to maximum speed. Keep your eyes down
field. A maximum burst will allow us to
cover the next 45 yards in the shortest
time.
Sprint and Ball Adjustment: This is
the important skill of running down field
and making a decision on when to adjust
the course of the run. This decision should
be based on the following factors, game
plan and individual techniques will dictate
priority.
A. Flight of the Ball: It is important that
we look early above our head to see (or
feel) the ball.
B. Location and Direction of Return
Men: Find the return specialists. As they
proceed to where the ball is caught
(Left/middle/right), they will tell us where
the ball is located.
C. Set up Back Blocks: This will give a
strong indication as to the type of return
developing.
D. Front Line Blocks Set-Up: The
direction indicated by the first wave (line) of
blocks. At times, this can be inaccurate,
due to a misleading path or technique of
the blocker. Study them on tape. Know the
opponent.
Note: Proper adjustment will take us to
the correct side of the field in which to stop
a return. As we adjust, it is critical that we
begin to manipulate the block in front of us.
Keep our eyes on a swivel so we can react
to all circumstances.
Beat The Blocker: As the cover team
closes the distance as fast as they can
between themselves and the first wave of
blocks or first blockers (or a blocker
approaches him), they must begin to
“manipulate” them. Manipulate the blocker
by swerving or weaving using head fakes in
the run, cause the blocker to stop his feet,
adjust his course, crossover or create an
imbalance in his base as he attempts to
block the cover persons. On the approach,
using these techniques, slightly widen the
base. This will allow us to go to either side
of him. Contact is necessary.
A. Run past Him: Avoid, get him off bal-
ance by waving, swerving, head fakes, etc.
Begin these seven to eight yards from the
blocker. If he appears off balance, run right
past him without any moves.
B. Employ a Shoulder Dip: Avoid con-
tact if possible. Freeze him with a weave
and utilize an arm to the side of the block-
er. Try to go around to the side of the kick.
Dip and rip as you accelerate by him. If he
makes contact, keep the feet moving. Do
not try to shoulder rip if he has latched on.
C. Hand Shiver: If a blocker makes
contact, attack him and get the hands on
the inside of his hands in the number area.
Then grab and shrug him aside. Use an
“arm over” or “rip by,” drive him back in to
the return and react to the ball. Come to
Balance and play off him. He will be off bal-
ance when he attacked.
D. Shoulder Drive: This technique is
used against the wedge or double team.
Drive your shoulder through the designated
man and force the ball by driving the block-
er back. Eliminate forward progress. Use
up two blocks.
E. Change up: Start to come to balance
and then explode by him, stutter step as
fast as possible.
F. If You Get Blocked: You must not
stay blocked!
Close: Close is the movement after we
have beaten the blockers. Take the most
direct course to the ball. We must make the
tackle (or force the direction of the ball).
Your distance from the ball will determine
this action. Never get past the ball or deep-
er than the ball.
Coverage
The technique utilized in coverage will
be determined by the assignment for that
particular coverage called. We must have
an understanding of the following terms as
they apply to each position and what the
responsibility is, especially if we move the
rovers around (No. 9 and No. 10). The fol-
lowing is an explanation of the key points of
coverage as we tell members of the Penn
State coverage team:
Shoulder Men: As you “sprint” down
field, make your adjustments. Once this is
established, maintain designated shoulder
leverage on the ball carrier (Diagram 4).
Attack the blocker if he tries to block you
based on your distance from the ball carri-
er. Anything too far away, beat him with
speed, moves, then get back in your lane.
Diagram 4
A. Keep your heap up -- vision.
B. Proper shoulder on the ball.
C. If you are getting blocked, “squeeze”
back into your lane. Do not create a seam.
Use your hands.
D. If you get knocked out of your shoul-
der leverage, recover and regain it. Second
effort offsets everything else.
E. Come to Balance (CTB). Get under
control, find the ball and fight off the block
to the ball maintaining proper leverage.
F. You have to have an aggressive men-
tality and be responsible.
Ball Men: They will be our designated
“hit” man. They are expected to make the
play or force it as quickly as possible
(Diagram 5). As you sprint down field,
make your adjustment. You will usually run
into an immediate encounter.
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
Diagram 5
A. As soon as the ball is kicked, sneak a
peek at the tackle to your side for an “indi-
cation” of the type of return. Do not slow
down!
B. Beat the first line of blockers (speed).
C. “Avoid” them if you get blocked
immediately.
D. Keep your head up, eyes on a swivel.
E. If you are getting blocked, “squeeze”
by leaning into the blocker. Don’t careless-
ly create a lane. Use your hands to drive
the opponent back.
F. Go make the play!
G. By game plan or poor kick, you could
become a shoulder man.
H. You must become very efficient at
adjustment technique. Ball men have this
happen all the time.
Contain Men: (No. 1 or No. 8) You have
an extremely important job. On base kicks,
No. 8 is the contain man (Diagram 6).
Diagram 6
A. Keep the ball on your inside shoulder.
B. Never be deeper than the ball.
C. Do not open up a running lane. Be
physical and squeeze, but be ready for a
cross-field return. Turn everything inside.
Use your hands. Stay square.
D. If you are on the backside of a direc-
tional kick, still squeeze but be ready for a
cross-field return. Turn everything inside.
Use your hands. Stay square.
Safety: (kicker and possibly others)
A. Kick ball high and deep.
B. Follow behind the wave of defend-
ers to the ball. If the return is inside the
numbers, mirror the ball. If the return is
outside the numbers, you become the
safety to that side. If the returner breaks
out, buy time by forcing him back to your
help. If he gets sidelined, use it for proper
leverage.
Coverage Versus Wedge Returns
Versus Middle Wedge: The front line will
set up and block to a designated side
(Diagram 7). The back line will set up in front
of the returner, very close together. When
we beat our blocker and get to the wedge,
we must see how far we are from the ball.
Diagram 7: Versus Middle Wedge
Versus a Side Wedge: (Diagram 8) The
base aiming points are: No. 1 still play safe-
ty; come down and be ready to fold and
contain. No. 2 attack and squeeze the out-
side shoulder. No. 9 attack the middle of
the chest of No. 1 blocker. No. 3 attack the
inside shoulder of the No. 2 blocker and
No. 4 attack the outside shoulder. Use
them both up. The key is to attack and pen-
etrate. Use them both up.
Diagram 8: Versus Side Wedge
team (drive man) if you can, always to the
sideline side. Get back in the lane fast
(Diagram 9).
B. Attack the double team (Diagram
10). If we have time and there is space,
split the double team. “Freeze” one of
them, usually the drive man when this is
executed.
Diagram 10: Attack

C. The key versus double-team is to

A. If we are more than far enough away,
avoid or bet the wedge and make the tackle.
B. If we are close enough to the ball car-
rier, take on the wedge. Stop the progress
of two of the blockers. Know by cover-
age/alignment and type of wedge where we
“fit.” Attack any split, pads down, knock
them backwards. Use up two blockers.
Force the ball to go laterally. The base aim-
ing points on the middle wedge return are:
• Fives attack inside of the inside man of
the wedge
• Fours attack on the inside eye of the
outside man of the wedge
• Threes attack the outside eye of the
outside man of the wedge
• Twos attack the outside edge of wedge
(wings). Utilize a knife technique to make
this play. If this is not possible then fold.
never slow down, always get our pads
Counteracting the Double Team under theirs, accelerate through and do not
A double-team is used to create a soft be eliminated (Diagram 11).
spot in the coverage. Any combination of Diagram 11: Wedge Double
players, front-line, back-line or wedge can
execute a double-team block on us.
Game plan and scouting reports will
alert us to a double-team. As we feel or see
a double-team block begin to happen,
remember the following:
A. Go around it to the side of the double
Diagram 9: Avoid
It has been an honor an a pleasure to
write this article for the AFCA Summer
Manual. We tell our player’s that special
teams is attitude in meeting, attitude in
practice and an attitude in games. If we can
be of any assistance in the near future,
please feel free to call. Thank you.

Adopt Safety-First Coaching Techniques

According to legal experts, “failure to warn” usually is one of the primary accusations made
against those in the coaching profession in litigation which involves catastrophic injury to a player.

To help prevent what could result in the destruction of a coaching career, as well as massive
financial loss, adopt “safety first” coaching techniques:

1. Have a clear and complete understanding of the intent and correct application of safety rules.

2. Make graphically clear to players the risk of violating these rules and use the available printed
material as a constant authoritative reminder to them of the importance of correct techniques.

3. Point out in exact terms the risk of accidental catastrophic injury in athletics before the first
practice begins.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •