Installing Punt Return

Montclair State led the New Jersey Athletic Conference in punt returns three seasons in a row, and special teams coach Mike Cieri takes you step by step through installing a punt return team in this punt return coaching video. Coach Cieri covers personnel selection, the scouting that sets up a return, daily drills, five basic techniques and three complete return schemes with alignments and blocking assignments.

What you'll learn

• The objectives of a successful punt return team.
• Personnel selection, the importance of scouting and detailed drills for daily practice.
• Five basic punt return techniques: Selling the Rush, Transition, Hold-up, Trail, and Fit and Finish.
• Actual punt return schemes: the Slam and Raid, the Combo Return and the Wall Return.
• Alignments and blocking assignments for each return shown.
• What if the opponent's gunners are disrupting the return? What if weather or field position changes the plan?

Who it's for

High school and college special teams coordinators and punt return coaches who want techniques and return plays that are easy to install in their own units.

About the coach

Mike Cieri, a 36-year coaching veteran, coached special teams at Montclair State University, where his punt return units led the New Jersey Athletic Conference in consecutive seasons.

One of Coach Cieri's five-part special teams series. The session contains extensive game film. Runtime: about 75 minutes.