Coach ,

Notre Dame is #1 in Blocked Punts and #1 in Blocked Kicks.

How do they do it?

Talent, Technique, Scheme, and most importantly mindset are the components of what brings a team to the top of the rankings in blocking punts and kicks. 

It just doesn't happen by accident or luck. It is an intentional activity that starts with the leadership of that unit, and the leader of the nation’s best special teams unit in blocking both punts and kicks is Brian Mason of Notre Dame.

Prior to coming to Notre Dam in 2022, Coach Mason spent five seasons at Cincinnati with four as the special teams coordinator and snipers coach. He was a big reason the Bearcats were one of 17 teams nationally to block three punts in 2021 and tied for first with Houston and Old Dominion in blocked field goals (6).

The mindset starts with a brand that the players can rally around. Coach Mason has branded his special teams unit around the slogan “Chaos Kills.” He talks about the branding and what it means to his players in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Special Teams Motto/Brand

After getting this group excited about playing on teams, Coach Mason puts a focus on what they are and what they want to accomplish.  It starts with the understanding that they do not have a punt return team, they only have a punt block team with the number one objective of affecting the punter. 

The idea is to cause the punter to get the ball off quickly to avoid a block. When a punter has to decrease his operation time by rushing or by taking fewer steps, the probability of a poor punt increases, and winning field position favors the Irish.

It starts with the player on the block team being in a loaded position. From there, it is the execution of a few techniques which Coach Mason explains in this video:

Video: Block Part 1

How many times do you see a punt rusher just miss a block twice with the defender running through with both hands extended for the ball.

Coach Mason likes teaching players to get “long” with one hand. The principle that one hand is longer than two applies here. This technique is something that Coach Mason drills the Irish on and he explains it here in their “block party” drill (click on image for video):

Video: Block Party Drill

Coach Mason has a plan that works. He did it at Cincinnati, and now he is doing it at Notre Dame.  

With a big game against #4 Clemson coming up this weekend, the “Chaos Kills” approach can make a difference for the Irish.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Deep-Dive into both of Coach Mason’s clinic talks together in this “Chaos Kills” bundle for 40% off.