From Snap to Return: Special Teams Insights That Change Outcomes
May 21, 2025 1:06 pm
Coach -
Field position changes outcomes. That’s the clear takeaway from three special teams minds—Garrett Clawson of Michigan, Matt Moran of James Madison, and Dennis Long of Monmouth—who bring decades of insight into what truly drives special teams execution. From the impact of explosive plays to the mechanics of snapping and punting, these coaches reveal strategies that win hidden yardage and flip the momentum of games.
Garrett Clawson – Building Explosives with Purpose at Michigan
At the University of Michigan, Garrett Clawson emphasizes that special teams execution starts with mindset, not just scheme. Using a breakdown of nearly 300 FBS plays with 20-yard punt returns, he illustrates a striking trend:
“You cannot have more emphasis involved in your special teams than to win those areas of the game.”
Clawson highlights how explosive plays—especially on punt returns and turnovers—can change field position dramatically. Yet, the data shows those big plays don’t always lead to wins. Timing, momentum, and follow-up execution matter just as much.
He drives home the value of playing fast and fundamental football, citing breakdowns in punt return as largely stemming from poor ball handling and missed assignments—not from scheme. And when it comes to fakes?
“Teams that ran a successful fake won 70% of the time this past year.”
But nothing underscores execution more than his closing example—Michigan's back-to-back seasons without a blocked punt. Clawson credits this to operation time, hand-eye coordination drills, and emotional preparation of specialists.
Matt Moran – Punting as Athletic Performance at James Madison
For Matt Moran, special teams execution means viewing punters as athletes, not technicians. The Senior Special Teams Analyst at JMU compares punting to hitting a baseball—not a repeatable golf swing like kicking.
“Great punters are usually really great athletes, and they're usually good multisport athletes.”
He prioritizes size and athleticism, favoring long-levered, explosive players. Through the development of NFL punter Jake Bailey, Moran shows how progression comes through fundamentals—catch, mold, drop—with each movement built from biomechanics.
Using jugs machines and video analysis, Moran trains punters to eliminate tells, create smooth transitions from catch to drop, and optimize leverage for consistent results.
“Confidence is earned. You earn it through repetition, by showing up every day.”
From tracking eye level to grip adjustments for different balls, Moran treats punting as a skill developed through layered drills and attention to mechanical nuance.
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Dennis Long – Long Snappers as Leaders at Monmouth
At Monmouth, Dennis Long takes a unique stance: the long snapper is the anchor of special teams execution. He doesn’t just teach snapping technique—he builds leaders.
“We want our long snappers to be the leaders of our specialist group.”
Long identifies the “one-shot, one-kill” mentality as key. A snapper doesn’t get second chances. His drill work focuses on game simulation: snap, finish, recoil, and—if asked—slide and block. This builds muscle memory and poise under pressure.
His “pyramid drill” uses cones to refine accuracy, recoil, and eye-up timing. More than mechanics, Long coaches his snappers to transition from specialists to football players—able to protect, recover, and lead on the field.
“The biggest thing is the 6 inches between our guy’s ears… We need to execute when we operate.”
In his program, special teams execution is not limited to clean snaps—it’s about instilling urgency, toughness, and trust.
The Winning Edge Lies in the Details
From Clawson’s emphasis on explosive momentum plays, to Moran’s athletic view of punting, to Long’s leadership-driven snapping approach, these coaches prove that special teams execution is far more than technique. It’s about preparing athletes for moments that tilt the game.
If you want to improve your team’s field position, momentum, and win percentage—start here.
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