Coach Todd from Elgin, Illinois sent in the following question:
My question is which punt block formation would you choose to play in youth
football, ages 10 and 11? We will start punting and BLOCKING punts this year.
Do you have a formation which works best against a double tight end, double
wing punt formation? I assume my opponents will run this formation as I
have yet to scout them. Once I scout them, the formation or block attempt
may change if they put two split gunners (two less to block on my punt
blockers).
Thanks,
Todd
Elgin Bears
Hi Todd,
Your alignment for your punt block should be nearly the same as your alignment for your punt return. Your thinking on your block formation will vary with a closed punt formation (double TE -double wing) where coming from the outside may be difficult and a double gunner formation where rushing outside the OT may provide the best path.
We always tried to maintain two rules in our punt block. First, we only rushed from one side of the formation and returned the punt on the other side if the punt was successful. Second, we tried to highlight one player as the designated punt blocker.
This player had to have speed, intelligence to not rough the punter, and a temperament to want to sell out to block the punt. We tried to teach him to rush to the point in front of the path of the punter, to focus on the ball, to stay on his feet until he saw the punter dropping the ball. He needed to cross his arms and hands in front of his face, and to deflect the ball down to the ground if possible.
With a close or tight punt formation, we tried to think in terms of having three rushers on two blockers. The middle man [the blocker] could be lined up as a linebacker, or a gap down player, or an outside player who would stunt around behind the next player to the inside. The other two players were asked to drive their blockers in and out, splitting and opening the gap for the blocker. You might consider using this type of block on the side opposite the alignment of the fullback. It is important that these players focus on the ball and charge across the line the instant the center starts his snap.
With two gunners, split out wide, we tried to exploit the OT and WB on one side of the formation. Still working in groups of three, the inside player would line up directly in front of the OT and on the snap, drive to the inside gap, forcing the OT to block down on him. The middle player, lined up on the outside shoulder of the OT, would drive up field on the snap and force the wing back to move outside to block him. The outside player would come behind the middle rusher, hit the gap created between the wing and OT and take a path directly to 2 yards in front of the punter to block the punt.
Your change up would be, from the same alignment, to have the middle player drive right off the OT's butt as the OT blocked in, forcing the wing to block down and then have the outside rusher rush straight at the outside shoulder of the wing, anticipate his movement inside, turn the corner as tight as possible and then take a path directly to the blocking spot.
The designated blocker must be taught to really focus on the ball so that he does not overrun the path of the punter with the ball being punted behind his back or allow the punt to go under his arms. He must be prepared to adjust his path and make the tackle if the punter tries to abort the punt and move to his right or left.
Base your decision to punt block on the speed of the center snap, the ability of the punter to control the snap, the quickness of the punter in getting the ball off, and the ability of the blockers.
Try to make sure that the percentage of time you spend working on your punt block is proportional to the percentage of time you project to use the block in a game.
Remember to coach the other players that a blocked kick can be picked up and run for a touchdown and provide some practice time when they can work on this skill.
I am very glad that you find both books beneficial and continue to use them in your coaching. Thank you for your kind words.
Coach Tom Bass