Football talk always involves conversations about the offense and defense, but there is another unit that helps determine wins and losses. Sure, we all like to hear about the leading rushers, the leading scorers, the leading tacklers, but what about this other specialized unit? We all think of scoring and the pursuit of stopping scorers as key to a victory, but they don’t call Special Teams “Special” for nothing.

Every football team has different schemes for their offense and defense, but what do teams do to give them an edge on Special Teams? Some Special Team units are an after thought, only a pathway to get from defense to offense, but the teams that truly excel at Special Teams play have a great plan to not only transition to offense, but to put their offense in a better position, or to use the Special Teams as an offense. Or, in contrast, use their Special Teams as a defense, or a way of putting their defense in a better position.

A lot of teams take special teams for granted. Here, it's a privilege to play on the kickoff team or the punt return team. That's why you eat first on Friday night (before games). It's a big deal. We reward guys who do good on special teams. It's not just overlooked like it is at some places. That's why they play so hard.

–-Urban Meyer

Some programs use backups, or reserve players on special teams as a way of giving their playmakers a break. I, personally, am of the belief that a coach should have their best players on the field for all Special Team play. If a player needs a rest they should get it on offense or defense, never on Special Teams. I have this belief due to the fact that many games are won and lost on those Special Teams, more so then offense or defense. One may argue that is not the case because their team’s Special Teams don’t score that often, or no one scores on their Special Teams no matter who they play. I contend field position supplied by Special Teams often plays a huge part in scoring and often puts their team in a great position on offense, or a very bad position on defense.

 

I've seen too many games won or lost with special teams. On offense you run a play for zero yards, and you get up and do it again. On defense you can give up five yards, and you get up and do it again. But with special teams play, you get one shot. You don’t get second chances. You have one chance to do it, or one chance to defend it. It can change the complexity of the game so readily.

--Bill Snyder

Your team just scored a hard fought touchdown to tie the game, the momentum has shifted, you are going to win now. Then your team kicks off, and the other team runs the kickoff back for a 90 yard touchdown. Don’t look, but that momentum that shifted your direction two minutes ago just shifted back to the other team and they have that momentum with a six point lead. That all happened in one play, after it took your team 20 plays to tie the game. Your team is now demoralized and have to start all over again. That is why Special Teams are “Special”. Shouldn’t you have your best 11 players on the field for such a huge opportunity?

 

Still not convinced? What about if every time your team kicks off, the opposing team returns the kick to their 40 yard line and their offense has to drive 60 yards to score a touchdown or 40 yards to kick a field goal. But, when they kick off to your team, your team has to start their drive on their 20 yard line and has to drive 80 yards to score a touchdown and 60 yards to kick a field goal. How big of a difference is that for your team? 60 yards for a touchdown or 80 yards for a touchdown? Remember, football is game of inches, how important is 20 yards?

 

Still weighing the possibilities? Let’s look at another aspect. What if your team is playing a team that does, in fact, use their starters on Special Teams, but your team uses backups. Would your team play the entire game with your defensive backups against the opposing team’s starting offense? Or, would your team play their backups on offense against the opposing team’s starting defense the entire game? Then, why on earth would your team play their backups against the opposing team’s starters on Special Teams? If your team does, they are at a great disadvantage. Or, if your team is playing their starters on Special Teams, and the opposing team in playing backups on Special Teams, think of the great advantage your team has.

 

Special Teams are so dynamic, so explosive and such a momentum changer, teams have to take advantage of the possibilities. Like Bill Snyder said in the above quote, you only get one chance on Special Teams, you will get multiple chance to get a first down on offense, and multiple chances to stop a team on defense, but only one chance to make a play on Special Teams. Where do you need your playmakers more?

Good stuff and Spot on as I too believe Special Teams will and can be the difference in a W or L.

 

Special Teams play will decide the outcome of our game this Friday nite. imo

 

So yes, Special Teams guys are very, very important and we are rooting for ya...:thumb:

I am always interested in how much teams devote to special teams. I have always subscribed to the notion that games can never be won on special teams, but they can be lost. Many teams play underclassman or reserves on special teams but when you think about it, that is about the only time of a game you should not have in your lesser players. The chance for a "big play" is at its peak during possession changes yet every team falls victim to putting lesser guys on these teams.

I know several team's in the area who devote a lot of time to SPTs. Then I know some who don't, you cab definitely tell the difference.

When I was in college the ST coach ( a grad assistant) only was responsible for FG and PAT. The KO and Punt were run by the Def Coordinator and the KOR and Punt Ret were run by the Off Coordinator.

 

The def Coordinator made a big deal of being selected on those teams. He did use non-starters (like myself) but also had some prime-time players as well. We had a D2 All American at OLB, and he begged to be on the KO team, because of how the Coach hyped it up. His name was Coach Wheeler, and we all got to write W's either on our face or on our arms. Only the KO team were allowed to do this, and be part of the "Wheels" team.

 

As a Freshman there were many guys who played significantly more defensive snaps than I did, but were down right PO'd that they weren't on the "Wheels" team.

 

Result we had the best KO team in the Conference. The average starting field position after Kick Off's was the 22 yard line. Our kicker did not have big leg either, we only had 3 touchbacks the entire year.

 

Lou Holtz said it is the best way to improve a team immediately. He said it takes time to install a defense with your type of athletes and the same for Offense. He said every program he has seen can improve the ST with more focus and practice.

Special teams are always an area Beechwood focuses planning and effort on. They will use a lot of non starters on ST but there are almost always starting players on the field to make big plays and prevent the other team from making big plays. In the big games that are close, special teams are usually right behind turnovers when it comes to factors that make the difference between a win and a loss. Look at the Dixie / Simon Kenton game last week for a perfect example. Dixie lost that game due to special teams, giving SK two TD's in a low scoring game due to special teams mistakes (kickoff return for TD, fumbled punt on their own 20).

I am always interested in how much teams devote to special teams. I have always subscribed to the notion that games can never be won on special teams, but they can be lost. Many teams play underclassman or reserves on special teams but when you think about it, that is about the only time of a game you should not have in your lesser players. The chance for a "big play" is at its peak during possession changes yet every team falls victim to putting lesser guys on these teams.

I can agree with everything you say Bugs, Special Teams may not win the big games, but it changes the game so much. Your offense getting good field position and working with a shorter field, putting the opposing defense's back agains the wall. Special Teams also can cause opponents to have to drive the length of the field wearing them down and giving them more of an opportunity to make a mistake. The finger may not point directly to Special Teams, but I believe those Special Teams can change a game dramatically.

Edited October 24, 201313 yr by Ram

When I was in college the ST coach ( a grad assistant) only was responsible for FG and PAT. The KO and Punt were run by the Def Coordinator and the KOR and Punt Ret were run by the Off Coordinator…………………...

Great story kyvince, coaches like Coach Wheeler really put an importance on Special Teams and are able to get the most out of his players. I'd say having a highly ranked Special Teams unit put your team in a good position to win many games.

I disagree with the notion that ST can not win a game for you. I guess it depends on whether or not you consider the kicking game part of the special teams...I do, so I count on our kicker to kick it into the endzone each time and I also expect the ST to recover or cause a fumble on either KO or Punt teams.

 

I fully expect our game tomorrow nite may lie directly on the play of the special teams. :thumb:

 

I can see a game winning FG from either side with no or little time on the clock...Just sayin