W

hile it is certainly true that every play is

Diagram 2: Two Funnel System

Kickoff
important during a football game, a
kickoff is, by nature, one of the most impor-
tant. Every offensive coach agonizes over
finding ways to get the ball to his best ath-
lete in the open field. The kickoff provides a Coverage
built-in opportunity to do just that, so it is
imperative that the kicking team do every-
thing possible to limit the opportunity for a
big play that can result in a touchdown or
great field position for the offense.
It seems that every year, more and more
teams are “squib” kicking or “pooch” kick-
ing the ball to eliminate big returns. They
are willing to sacrifice field position in order
to avoid the potential for the big play. That
certainly is a sound concept, however, the assigned landmarks based on where we
deep kickoff gives the kicking team a are trying to kick the ball. Ideally, these
chance to pin the opponent deep in their landmarks will create relatively even spac-
own territory, something that is generally ing between coverage players (approxi-
not possible on squibs and pooch kicks. mately five-yard increments). Prior to the
For the purposes of this article I will focus kick, players should align five to eight yards
on covering balls kicked deep. off the free kick line, on their landmark and
in a two-point stance facing in at a 45-
Basic Kickoff Coverage System degree angle to the kicker.
We number our coverage players from
the inside out on each side of the kicker Landmarks are as follows:
from one to five respectively (Diagram 1). Middle Kick
L5 Four yards from sideline.
Diagram 1: Numbering Players
L4 Top of the numbers.
L3 Split the hash & numbers.
L2 On the hash.
L1 One yard inside the goal post.
R1 One yard inside the goal post.
R2 On the hash.
R3 Split the hash & numbers.
R4 Top of the numbers.
R5 Four yards from sideline.
Our kickoff coverage is based on a “two
funnel system.” After the ball is caught by Kick Left
the returner, we attempt to form a first fun- L5 Two yards from sideline.
nel with two force players (usually L4 and L4 Bottom of the numbers.
R4) acting as the “outer edges of the fun- L3 Three yards inside the numbers.
nel” and six lane players acting as the L2 Three yards outside the hash.
“points of the funnel.” Ideally, the force L1 Split the hash & goal post.
players will restrict the running lane to R1 Split the goal posts.
about five yards width and as many lane R2 Split the hash & goal post.
players as possible will fill the five yard lane R3 Three yards outside the hash.
(Diagram 2). R4 Two yards inside the numbers.
The safeties (usually L5 and R5) and the R5 Four yards from the sideline.
kicker will form the second funnel five yards
behind the first funnel, in case the returner Kick Right
breaks through. Ideally, the safeties will con- L5 Four yards from the sideline.
strict the running lane for the second funnel L4 Two yards inside the numbers.
to about two yards and the kicker will fill the L3 Three yards outside the hash.
two-yard lane (Diagram 2). L2 Split the hash & goal post.
L1 Split the goal post.
Alignment and Landmarks R1 Split the hash & goal post.
On each kickoff, coverage players are R2 Three yards outside the hash.
 R3 Three yards inside the numbers.
R4 Bottom of the numbers.
R5 Two yards from sideline.
It is important that all coverage play-
ers understand that the direction called
in the huddle is only where we are
attempting to kick the ball. Since the
kicker does not always kick the ball
where he is aiming, all players must
react to where the ball is actually kicked
as they run down the field.
Covering a Kick
Although coverage assignments for the
kickoff team can be switched at times in
order to give the return team different
looks, in general L5 and R5 are safeties, L4
and R4 are force players and L1, L2, L3,
R1, R2 and R3 are lane players.
The coaching of kickoff coverage players
can be broken down into three areas: attack-
ing the free kick line; responsibilities before
the ball is caught; and responsibilities after
the ball is caught. The following are the
coaching points we use for coverage players
in each phase of kickoff coverage:
Attacking the Free Kick Line (FKL)
Learn the nuances and steps of the
kicker in order to ensure that you arrive at
the free kick line as close as possible to the
same time the ball is kicked. While we
would like you to hit the free kick line at full
speed and at the same time as the kicker,
being at full speed is more important. I
would rather have you at full speed and a
step short of the free kick line than at the
free kick line but having to “stutter step” to
avoid being offside when the ball is kicked.
Above all, do not be offside.
Responsibilities Before
the Ball is Caught
From the time the ball is kicked until it is
caught by the returner, you should run full
speed on your landmark attempting to get
inside the opponent’s 40-yard line before
the ball is caught. Be sure to see the move-
ment of the returners in order to determine
the path of the ball and to know when it is
caught. Never look up for the flight of the
ball.
If a blocker comes at you prior to the ball
being caught, then avoid the block (to the
easiest side) and return to your landmark
as soon as possible.
When the ball is kicked, all lane players
should key the five front-line blockers of the
return team. Be ready for specific blocks Diagram 4: Ball Bounces Outside the
based on their movement. Force Player
• If a front-five player attacks you, then
you should avoid him and then get back on
your landmark.
• If the front five players drop, then find
the deep people to determine the flight of
the ball and expect a wedge return. If the
wedge develops, then be ready to squarely
take on the blockers.
• If you see a front five blocker go across
to the opposite side, then expect a cross
blocking scheme.
Responsibilities after the Ball is Caught
1. Force Players: As a force player, you
are the outer edge of the first funnel. Your Diagram 5: Ball Breaks Through the
job is to constrict the running lane allowing First Funnel
the lane players to make the tackle. After
the ball is caught, squeeze to the ball and
remain on the level of the returner after
reaching ball depth. As the returner moves
up-field, you must work to stay on the same
level as the ball. This will prevent the
returner from breaking outside your edge of
the funnel while also preventing him from
slipping between you and the lane players
(Diagram 3). Never take an uncontrolled
shot at the returner, since the ball must be
kept inside the funnel at all costs.
Diagram 3: Force Players Work With
the Ball you are always aiming at his near shoulder.
Never take a “cut-off angle” by aiming for
where you think the returner is headed. Cut
off angles just open cutback lanes for the
returner.
If a blocker comes at you and the return-
er is not threatening your lane, then avoid
the block to the ball side. Since each play-
er whose lane is not being threatened will
avoid a block to the ball side, spacing
2. Safeties: The safeties’ responsibili- between lane players will be maintained
ties are similar to those of the force players (Diagram 6).
but are performed in the “second funnel.” Diagram 6: Avoid to the Ball
Once the ball is caught, close in to the ball,
“folding under the force” and establishing
“hold position” (five yards behind and two-
yards outside the force player).
From hold position, if the returner
bounces outside the force player, then
come up and make the tackle (Diagram 4);
if he breaks through the first funnel, then
close in as the outside edge of the second
funnel and make the tackle (Diagram 5).
3. Lane Players: Once the ball is
caught, you are what we call “leverage on
the ball,” i.e. you should aim for the near
shoulder of the returner. As the returner
changes his path, you should adjust so that
 If a blocker comes at you and the return-
er is threatening your lane, then take the
blocker on squarely using both hands while
keeping your shoulders square to the shoul-
ders of the blocker. You can then come off
the block to the side that the returner cuts.
Do not choose a side of the block until the
returner chooses a side, since the he will
simply go opposite the side you choose if
you pick a side before he does. You can
never be right if you avoid a blocker when
the returner is threatening your lane.
4. Kicker: Once the ball is caught, you
become the “point man” of the second fun-
nel. Run straight down the field and be
inside out on the ball. Fill inside the second
funnel formed by the safeties and make the
tackle if the ball breaks through the first
funnel.
Ball Outside the Numbers
If the ball gets outside the numbers
(whether it is kicked outside the numbers or
the returner takes it outside the numbers),
then the force player to that side becomes
a seventh lane player, the safety becomes
the force player and we consider the side-
line to be the safety since there is no room
for the returner to bounce outside the side-
line edge of the funnel (Diagram 7).
Therefore, force players must know lane
responsibilities and safeties must know
force responsibilities.
Diagram 7: Ball Outside the Numbers
Personnel
Players will be selected to fill the kickoff
team positions based on the following
attributes:
Force players should be among the best
athletes on the team while also being
aggressive and intelligent football players.
We usually use free safeties and strong
safeties in these positions.
Safeties are the most important cover-
age positions on the kickoff team. Safeties
must be fast, disciplined and sure tacklers.
Due to the importance of these positions,
we usually use two of our starting defen-
sive backs who fit these criteria.
Lane players should be aggressive,
tough and sure tacklers. Speed is an
asset in this position, but cannot make up
for deficiencies in tackling or courage. We
usually use linebackers, fullbacks, tight
ends and some defensive backs in these
positions.
The kicker’s most important asset is
consistent distance on his kicks. If one
kicker is consistently kicking the ball an
appreciable distance farther than the other
kickers, then he will be our kickoff man. If
however, our deepest kickers are similar in
distance, then we will use the kicker who is
more accurate in directing his kicks.

NCAA Football and NAIA Football Promotional Programs

Benefit College Football at All Levels
For the first time in the history of intercollegiate athletics, the
AFCA, NCAA, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of
Athletics (NACDA) and Collegiate Commissioners Association
(CCA) have joined together to create NCAA Football.
mote college football on a national level got its start in several
places. NCAA Football evolved from the 125th Anniversary cele-
bration of college football and College Football USA. College
Football USA was an initiative begun by the AFCA and NACDA.

The coalition announced a partnership to improve, preserve,
promote and market the game of college football. The program is
expected to generate ‘new’ dollars that will go to athletics depart-
ments at all levels.
The organization will be charged with heightening interest in
and awareness of college football. It will market and promote the
game on a national level by developing a marketing fund for pro-
motions, licensing, merchandising, media, hospitality and grass-
roots initiatives.
What Is NCAA Football?: NCAAFootball represents a coalition
of AFCA, NCAA, NACDAand the CCAformed to improve, preserve
and promote the game of college football. It is the first time these
groups have pooled their resources under one umbrella for the bet-
terment of college football. We call this “The Power of One.”
Mission Statement: To improve, preserve and promote the game
of college football for those who play the game, those who coach the
game and for those who support the game.
Where Did NCAA Football Begin?: The opportunity to pro-
Board of Directors: NCAA Football will have a 14-member
board comprised of 10 Division I-A conference representa-
tives, one Division I-AA conference representative, one NCAA
s t a ff representative, one A F C A representative and one
NACDA representative.
Who Benefits?: NCAA Football will take the collective initiative of
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promote college football. Revenue generated will be directed back to
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their marks.
What Institutions Will Participate?: All 566 NCAA football-
playing institutions will have the opportunity to participate in the
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(NAIA) is developing a similar program called NAIA Football .
For information on NCAA Football and on NCAA Football
decals for your school’s football helmets, contact Host
Communications at 972-778-7700.