Punting Game

[Scott Dieterich]

I know none of us like to think about punting, but when we just have to, what type of punt do you guys use, like, believe in etc.?

i have used the old traditional "tight punt" with thr rub/lub aligned in the A gaps- it is very simple, easy zone protection and coverage landmarks.

i see a lot of teams running 'shield' punt, anybody using that or want to share a little about the pros/cons of that ?, I m not familiar with shield punt.

thanks 

[Nick Medinger]

I prefer the shield punt because it limits the return. The guys release off the LOS very quickly (outside guys run through inside shoulder, next guys in block for 1 count then release through outside shoulder, next guys in release through outside shoulder, and snapper releases on snap). By releasing through outside shoulder, it forces the defense go bunch up in the middle, right where the shield is and helps take away their angles to get around, the guys on the outside should be wide enough they can't get there to block it anyhow. You also don't need a kid who can crush a punt to be successful, as long as it will roll then you can get a good punt because the punt team gets down field so quickly.

A big con is (IMO) fakes are much harder to conceal in the shield punt. Another is that more and more teams are using it, so it's not as contrarian as it was which never helps. Your shield guys also have to be very tough, if you put a cupcake out there, then after the other team tries to bulldoze him, he may just let them through the next time.

[Mark Kleinpeter]

Shield punt offers very good coverage ability and your center doesn't have to block. I think those are the 2 biggest advantages.

Some guys don't have their center block out of Pro punt or tight punt and I don't know how they don't get more punts blocked. In college, you'll lose your job if you do that.

[Jim Delaney]

We are a pro punt. If the return team gives us 8 up we keep the center in to protect. If not he free releases. We screw around with our gunners a little by going ends Over or putting one in motion (with the wb on that side moving to the Los)

[Scott Hansen]

This is my third year using shield punt. Along with the other advantages that have been discussed, I think it's important to mention personnel. I use CBs as the gunners, safeties and OLBs at the Tackle position, and ILBs at the guard position. In other words, the eight guys covering the punt are defensive skill players who can tackle in space. If you teach them to stay in lanes, then it becomes more like a kickoff than anything else with much more limited return yardage.