Description

Josh Miller, Special Teams Coordinator, Coastal Carolina  

Watch the entire video on Glazier Drive - Punt Return Drills & Progression

CORE TRAINING CONCEPT: This video focuses on training punt returners to properly field all kicks, emphasizing how preventing "hidden yardage" losses can significantly impact field position and game outcomes.

WHEN TO PRACTICE: These drills can be incorporated during:

• Pre-practice periods
• Specialty periods
• Small individual periods within practice

DRILL FUNDAMENTALS:

• Train returners to move forward, backward, and laterally
• Practice handling normal kicks, directional kicks, hops, and bad kicks
• Develop proper communication between special teams players
• Address exotic scenarios (pooch kicks inside the 10, rugby-style kicks, banana balls)

PROPER CATCHING TECHNIQUE:

• Tight elbows, hands "like you're praying" then open to receive
• Hands at eye level to track the ball
• After catching, go "high and tight" - chin the ball, clamp it to body
• Stay behind the ball and catch moving forward to gain 2-3 yards of momentum

KEY TRAINING SCENARIOS:

1. Catching from different angles (offset positions)
2. Fielding bouncing balls (get behind the ball, don't run away)
3. Communication on bad kicks ("Peter/Peter/Peter" or "Poison" calls)
4. Deep kicks (heels on 8-yard line drill)
5. Combination drills with gunners for realistic practice

REAL GAME SITUATIONS: The coach shares three instructive mistakes:

1. Returner drifting too far back against a P4 school, ending up in shadow of goal line
2. Fair catching on the 2-yard line against Army after losing track of position
3. Successful example of properly fielding a bouncing ball against Lafayette, preventing hidden yardage losses

COACHING BENEFITS:

• Builds returner confidence
• Helps coaches establish realistic expectations
• Develops proper decision-making under pressure
• Creates crossover training opportunities with gunners
• Addresses special situations that "can help you be elite"

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