Coach ,

If you are a special teams coach, it’s one of the most satisfying sounds you could hear on game day (provided you are on the right side of it). The “thump-thump” of a blocked punt brings electricity to the stadium and provides a huge momentum boost for the team that made the block.

The “thump thump” is not easy to come by. The best team in the nation right now is South Carolina with 5 blocked punts and 5 blocked kicks. We shared some special teams tips from SC special teams coordinator Pete Lembo a few weeks ago.

For Penn State special teams coordinator Stacy Collins, it boils down to a very specific teaching progression and step-by-step detail in their technique.

I love what Coach Collins has put together. Beyond giving the exact details to block the punt, it is a great example of teaching.

The progression is shown in the following graphic from Coach Collins's clinic for Lauren’s First and Goal:

Coach Collins used what he learned in as an educator to create a memorable process for his players. The phrases for each part of the progression help embed this in his players' memory.

#0) Win at the Pre-Snap

Like any play in football, it begins with a great stance. The three-point stance gives the illusion of pressure whether a block is on or not. Coach Collins makes the point that a three-point is what an NFL 40-yard is run with big money on the line.  The punt block is a big money play, so they use a sprinter stance.

#1) Win at the Line

“1-2-3 Take the Ground that belongs to Me”

After the stance, the get-off of the first three steps get the punt blocker on the path he needs to be on for a successful block. The main coaching point is that ground needs to be gained on these steps and there’s no room for inefficiency. The punt block is truly a play of fine detail and you have to win key ground at the snap. Coach Collins explains the details of Phase 1 in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Phase 1

#2) Win in Transition

“4-5 Dip and Drive”

After winning the first three steps, the punt blocker can’t afford to be slowed down by the protection. That’s where the technique of Dip and Drive comes into play. Coach Collins illustrates it in this video (click on image for video):

Video: Phase 2

#3) Win at the Ball - Thump Thump Heaven

“6-7 Thump Thump Heaven”

The final phase gets the blunt blocker to “Thump-Thump Heaven.” Coach Collins teaches the “Scope” technique as well as the one-hand technique to take the ball off of the punter’s foot.  He explains the technique here (click on image for video):

Video: Phase 3

Coach Collins provides a great example of detailed teaching that players will remember which ultimately allows them to play fast. Playing fast is a key to the punt block and getting to “Thump-Thump Heaven.”

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Do you want to generate more blocks? Get the philosophy, scheme, and drills in this bundle punt block of clinic talks from Lauren’s First and Goal “Thump Thump Heaven” Bundle with detailed clinic talks from:

-Stacy Collins - Penn State

-Brian Mason - Notre Dame

-Sean Saturnio - Army West Point