Coach ,

There aren't many coaches who will argue that special teams are important. Having the knowledge and secrets to coach the little things that will help your team win the third phases is a different story.

Today we help you refine the details that will ultimately make your team successful under the lights this fall.

These are the top 10 special teams clinics of the 2021 off season as rated by you and your coaching peers.

Not all of the virtual clinics had special teams topics in their line-up, but the ones that did have them had excellent detail that will help you improve your teams. Click on the images for free videos and the clinic talk.

#1 Justin Lustig, Vanderbilt - Special Teams Topics and Organization.

The top rated special teams clinic was presented by Justin Lustig, who at the time was the associate head coach, receivers coach and special teams coordinator at Syracuse.  He has since moved on to Vanderbilt. 

A Broyles Award nominee as the nation’s top assistant coach, Coach Lustig covered everything from how they organize their meetings, film breakdown and analysis, awards and evaluation, and specific punt coverage drills.

#2 Sean Saturnio, Army - The ABC’s of Punt Blocking

When it comes to blocking punts, Army led the country. Coach Sean Saturnio goes in depth on the drills and techniques his Army West Point team used in his last 7 seasons to make Army the #1 punt block team in the country. Drills like towel drill, cross face, destroy eyes and hands, vertical destroy are explained and illustrated with practice film and then shown in action on game film.

#3 Brian Mason, Cincinnati - Punt Block Fundamental and Scheme

Special teams make an impact on the Bearcat football program and certainly in games. Coach Mason explains how they share the importance of special teams each week. He covers drills like “block party,” hoop, punt block circuit plus the schemes and techniques which allow them to be successful.

#4 Thomas Sheffield, Nevada - The Plan of Attack: Punt Return

Nevada Special Teams Coordinator Thomas Sheffield creates a better starting position for the Wolf Pack with their Punt Return team.  He preaches to his players the belief they have in how their return team can help change the game.  Sheffield studied the techniques that lead to penalties and implemented techniques which he calls penalty beaters.  Not only are they effective in making the blocks needed for the returner, they avoid the flags that put the offense back further from the goal line.

#5 (TIE) Brian Polian, Notre Dame - Fundamental Drills for Special Teams

Coach Polian spoke about special teams at several clinics this off season.  His focus in this talk was covering punts and kicks and he shared the drills that they use to prepare the Fighting Irish like the bully drill, slingshot, blender drill, spread the net, and more.  He illustrates the drill in practice and shows the techniques being used on game film.

#5 (TIE) Jovan Dewitt, North Carolina - Special Teams Drills and Fundamentals

Coach Jovan Dewitt o goes in depth on the drills, concepts, and fundamentals that his Tarheels use on game days. He covers the fundamentals and techniques of Kick Off and Kick Return.  Drills like bullet fit, close quarters, skim tackle and more are illustrated.

#5 (TIE) Jake Cookus, Oregon State - Coverage Techniques and Fundamentals

Coach Cookus goes into the drills and fundamentals he uses in punt coverage.  He breaks the play into three phases: Release, Cover and Finish.  He details the techniques and drills used to win each phase. 

#8 (TIE) Kristian Stern, Westwood HS - Kicking Techniques and Fundamentals

Coach Stern covers the techniques and drills needed to coach your kickers. He breaks down every aspect of kicking there is in football. From ball placements to various styles Coach Stern takes you through every drill in season and off.  Coach Stern even addressed the mentality of a kicker who is put in high pressure situations. 

#8 (TIE) Greg McMahon, LSU - Special Teams Game Planning

Coach McMahon uses game and practice film to break down the importance of cover drills, proper substitutions, and the emphasis of weekly practice structure utilizing block techniques, separation from defenders, as well as attacking the returner at all costs. McMahon's insight into situational awareness, line adjustments, and overall play designs from different special teams packages make this a valuable clinic for coaches, players, and scouts.

#10 (TIE) Christan Vitale - A New Spin on the Kicking Game

Coach Vitale delivered a detailed talk on special teams organization. He gave an overview of how to build your special teams unit including: Establishing a Culture for your special teams unit, Practice Plans, Philosophies (Aggressive vs. Conservative), and Organizing Personnel and Staff.

#10 (TIE) Justin Stovall, Columbia - KOR Scheme-Execution that Goes the Distance

Coach Justin Stovall of Columbia University teaches us his philosophy, plays, and execution of the Colombia kickoff return. He breaks down each block and illustrates both proper execution and poor technique to teach what makes a successful kick return.

Whatever unit of special teams you are looking to improve, these coaches have you covered. Expand your knowledge of technique and the drills to teach it with these talks.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski