Defending/Covering Kick-off Returns

[Joe Greco]

Having participated in a number of tournaments, most of the rules regarding kick-offs are pretty much the same:

1) The kicking team selects which portion of the end zone the kick will be returned from which is anywhere along the goal line and usually between the numbers.

2) The receiving team lines up at a specified yard line (their own 30 or back further in the case of the Seawall Brawl) and the kicking team lines up at another pre-determined yardline (the receiving teams 40 or back further in the case of the Seawall Brawl)

3) The switch is then turned on and the play is resolved.

To me there is nothing more frustrating then putting together a nice drive and scoring only to give up a touchdown on the kick-off return. Or starting a game giving up a touchdown on the opening kick-off.

My question is, when putting together a kick coverage team how do you build it? Are you using faster, offensive players to cover the kicks? Players that will hold their lanes regardless of speed/strength. What strategy do you employ?

I also see most coaches placing the Kick returner right in the middle of the field. Doesn't this force you to cover more of the field then if you placed him by one of the numbers?

Thank you for your responses. Sometimes I feel like I am better off having 11 guys on spinning dials across the 40 yard line. LOL.

Joe G

...but we can talk about it AFTER I run one back on ya in Virginia!!!

Seriously, I use my DEs, LBs and DBs on my Kick Off team. I have already tweaked all of my guys to at least cover Kick Returns from my own 30. The SWB calls for Kick Returns from your own 30, so that means I only have to cover 40yds. As long as I don't flip-flop my DEs and take my own guys out, I'm fairly confident I can cover the Return.

[5-13 Studios]

mid ohio we line up in the same kick off formation as the pros, kicking team at the 30, receiving team starts to line up at the 50, so we need to have fast, straight running players to get downfield and cover kicks for the kicking team. i also like to keep my kicker on a prongless base and keep at least 2 guys back (sometimes more) as safety coverage. my kicker saved a td for me already this season!

[Coach K-LO]

i like to use more defenders (LB, CB, DB) and then some back up WR and RB as the speed guys....with a couple of wedge busters in the middle.

[detroitchild]

Am I missing something here. Where is the TD?