Coaching The Punt-Return Game

Gamecock. Central. Gamecocks hope to solidify punt return this season. Special teams can make or break a game; a muffed punt can lead to a scoop- and- score, a missed field goal can swing momentum. Those things can change the tide of a game. Which is why the Gamecocks wanted to make sure they were better on punt return this season. Whoever the coaching staff sent—Chris Lammons, Deebo Samuel, Rashad Fenton, Jamarcus King—had trouble at times holding onto the ball or choosing when to fair catch or make other snap decisions during a game. It’s something the team wanted to shore up heading into the season, and like with every position on the team, there was healthy competition in preseason camp to push some returning players.“Some young guys have stepped up—Jam Williams, Shi Smith—guys have really stepped in and pushed Chris Lammons, pushed Rashad Fenton,” special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler said.

Return Man 3 The Season

Chris has been the most steady throughout the fall camp, so we’re excited to have more depth there which a year ago we didn’t.”Also see: Rick Sandidge talks upcoming visits and his recruitment process. Lammons is listed as the starting punt returner heading into Saturday’s season opener against N. C. State with Fenton his backup. Williams and Smith are both true freshmen who are listed as starters this season, Williams at nickel back and Smith in the slot receiver role. Both have taken reps at punt return alongside Keisean Nixon behind the established Lammons and Fenton.“I think competition anytime is a good thing,” Hutzler said. Also see: Film prep, getting to know N. C. State. To make sure whoever is returning punts this year for the Gamecocks, Hutzler has adopted some interesting tactics.

He’s embracing statistics and analytics, charting different things throughout practice and throughout preseason camp. This helps the coaching staff merge the eye test of which player is performing the best in practice and back up their decision with quantitative facts. Players are constantly being inspected closely during the team’s special teams sessions, which usually are interspersed throughout the two- hour practice.

Obviously throughout our punt periods those guys are back catching,” Hutzler said. We’re charting drops, we’re charting decisions made: when they point, when they decide to fair catch it, the things they do.”Also see: Muschamp up to play in Charlotte or Atlanta 'any time'He’s also embracing the usual kind of tactics to asses how players are at handling pressure. Kickers and holders are used to being squirted with water; Hutzler usually hits Fenton with a wrestling Suplex move while the team is stretching. Punt returners are usually being yelled at and distracted while the ball is in the air to see if they’ll be able to handle some sort of distraction while trying to catch punts in front of 8. Our scrimmages, which coach has been great about incorporating special teams into his scrimmage,” Hutzler said. We’ll give some rush where coverage and they’re coming down and guys scream in their face and see how they do with quote- unquote live bullets.”Also see: Players to watch in Saturday's opener.

Most special teams positions have been set with Lammons the punt returner with the duo of Samuel and A. J. Turner returning kickoffs. Parker White is the team’s kickoff specialist, Joseph Charlton the starting punter and Ben Asbury the long snapper. Danny Gordon will hold on field goals, but the Gamecocks don’t know who will be kicking the ball. It’s still up in the air with the starting placekicker will be. It’s a two- man competition between Alexander Woznick and White, with no favorite right now. While the team feels more comfortable with their punt return game than it did last year, the placekicker competition will likely come down to the final days before kickoff.

Both guys have done a great job through fall camp,” Hutzler said of both kickers. We’re obviously getting ready to set it here going into game week, but Parker White and Woznick have done a good job. I think it’s great.

Punt Return Game Unblocked

Which is why the Gamecocks wanted to make sure they were better on punt return this season. Whoever the coaching staff. ready to set it here going into game. This DVD coaching the Punt-Return Game provides a detailed overview of the key factors involved in this critical phase of special teams play, and covers topics such. Danville's Tom Brouse runs with a punt return ball during the game against Southern. Football: The art of the punt return. “I just remember coach. Coaching the Punt-Return Game provides a detailed overview of the key factors involved in this critical phase of special teams play. The DVD also includes a series of.