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Photo by Doug Benc Getty Images |
We believe the FIRST play of the game--whether the LIONS are kicking off or returning--must be a TONE SETTER for the game. Let us let our opponent know through Desire and Toughness that the LIONS came to play. Our overall goals as a full unit this year are:
I. PHILOSOPHY
1. Soundness:
Every aspect of the Teams will be centered on the fact that we must NEVER beat ourselves. Soundness means:
"THE GREATER THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENEMY THE GREATER THE CHANCE FOR VICTORY."
A. From a coaching standpoint, we are going to play the "best available athlete" to help us win that phase. EVERYONE must be willing to contribute on special teams.
B. We must never want to look back on a game and say "I wish I would have..." or "If only I had... ." Simply each game, each "Teams," each play, if I am on to field.
This attitude will make us the BEST.
4. Hitting:
Lastly, and most importantly, the tempo of all games is set by HITTING and BIG PLAYS. On SPECIAL TEAMS we have more of a chance, more opportunities, for these than any other phase of the game. How badly we want to do the things required for BIG PLAYS reflect on how much of COMMITMENT we have made to WINNING.
Our special teams must be instantly and eagerly ready for any of the thirteen crucial situations:
Your being ready to perform INSTANTLY is most important. This requires being alert; it requires you to know and to execute your assignment, and it requires you to have and take pride in making our special teams the BEST in professional football.
A grading system will be kept for Special Teams which will show an individual's overall contribution to our kicking game and to our entire squad. The system is based on a point program, with participation on each unit figuring into the total points. The point board is designed as follows:
Bobby Ross is the current head coach of the United States Military Academy football team and is the former head football coach of the University of Maryland-College Park, Georgia Tech, the San Diego Chargers and the Detroit Lions. He led Georgia Tech to the national championship in 1990 and the San Diego Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX in 1994-1995.
Detroit Lions Special Teams Philosophy
Keeping this in mind, it is easy to see why "Teams" is one of the most, if not the most important part of a championship team. Games are won because of Special Teams--and games won lead to CHAMPIONSHIPS. BUT games are also lost, which lead to poor seasons, through the poor play of their "SPECIAL UNITS." There is nothing more heart-breaking than to play a great offensive and defensive game and to lose because of a poor performance on Special Teams. We, both coaches and players, must realize this and feel proud when we are chosen for these units because it emphasizes the faith and confidence we have in your ability to help us WIN.
The focus of our philosophy will be:
2. Attitude:
The attitude we have is that our "commitment to excellence" in the TEAMS play will help us get the edge.
3. Field Position:
Because of the great amount of field position yardage that is produced on SPECIAL TEAMS we will constantly preach FIELD POSITION.
Our goal is to give the offensive and defensive units the best FIELD POSITION possible to help make VICTORY possible.
1. Kick-Offs (Regular and after safety)
2. Kick-Off Returns
3. Onside Kick-Offs (Surprise and Regular)
4. Onside prevents (Hands Team)
5. Punts
6. Punt Returns
7. Punt Fakes (Run or Pass)
8. Punt Rushes
9. Field Goals
10. Field Goals Rushes
11. Fake Field Goals (Run or Pass)
12. PAT's
13. PAT Fakes (2 Point Play)
| Points | |
| For participation on each unit for over 50% of the plays involved without any game breaking errors | 3 |
| Touchdown | 6 |
| Field goal | 3 |
| PAT | 1 |
| Solo (unassisted) | 4 |
| Primary or 1st Hit | 1 |
| Primary assist | 2 |
| Hit on ball carrier (in on tackle before whistle Secondary Assist) | 1 |
| Knockback | 1 |
| KICKOFF COVERAGE | |
| Smart play | 1 |
| First man downfield ( opponents 35-yard line) | 1 |
| Kickoff hang of 4.0 or better | 1 |
| Excellent location of a directional kick | 1 |
| Excellent special kick | 2 |
| Touchback | 2 |
| Force (force RS to change return penetrate | 2 |
| Wedge buster (eliminate more than 1) | 2 |
| Tackle ball carrier inside 20 (in addition to tackling points) | 2 |
| Tackle ball carrier inside the 10 | 3 |
| Achieve average starting yardline goal for game (hard core team) | 3 |
| Big play | 4 |
| Will breaker (hit of the game) | 4 |
| Great effort | 4 |
| KICKOFF RETURN | |
| Smart play | 1 |
| Field kick properly | 1 |
| Set wedge properly | 1 |
| Break a tackle or make a man miss | 2 |
| Execute a good block | 2 |
| RS achieve return goal for game | 2 |
| Achieve average starting yardline for game (hard core team) | 3 |
| Key return (35 or more yards) | 3 |
| Big play | 4 |
| Will breaker (hit of game) | 4 |
| 2 blocks on 1 play | 4 |
| Great effort | 4 |
| Key block on long return | 4 |
| PUNT PROTECTION AND COVERAGE | |
| Smart play | 1 |
| Force (force RS to change return penetrate) | 1 |
| Hang time of 4.5 or better | 1 |
| Snapper makes a perfect snap | 1 |
| Excellent location of directional punt | 1 |
| Punt inside 20 | 1 |
| Hang time of 5.0 or better | 2 |
| Wedge buster (eliminate more than 1) | 2 |
| Tackle or down ball inside opponents 20-yard line (in addition to tackling pts.) | 2 |
| Punt inside 10 | 2 |
| Tackle or down ball inside 10-yard line (in addition to tackling pts.) | 3 |
| Average 4.5 hang time (or better) | 3 |
| Achieve punting net goal (hard core team) | 3 |
| Key punt | 3 |
| Force a penalty (quick punt) | 3 |
| Big play | 4 |
| Will breaker | 4 |
| Great effort | 4 |
| PUNT RETURN AND BLOCK | |
| Smart play | 1 |
| Field punt properly | 2 |
| Break a tackle or make a man miss | 2 |
| Execute a good block | 2 |
| Execute a key block | 3 |
| Force a bad punt, shank, or touchback | 3 |
| Key return (35 yards or more) | 3 |
| Achieve net goal for game (hard core team) | 3 |
| By rush force a penalty | 3 |
| 2 blocks on 1 return | 4 |
| Will breaker | 4 |
| Great effort | 4 |
| MISCELLANEOUS POINTS | |
| Perfected snap on PAT/Field Goal | 1 |
| Perfect hold on PAT/Field Goal | 1 |
| Force a missed PAT/Field Goal | 3 |
| Safety | 3 |
| Force a fumble | 6 |
| Recover a fumble | 6 |
| Block a kick | 6 |
| Block a PAT or Field Goal | 6 |
| Since penalties are
so important to avoid (the key ingredient in Special Teams is Field Position) we must be alert to "STUPID" mistakes. Any penalty called will result in MINUS points | |
| 15-yard penalty | -6 |
| 10-yard penalty | -4 |
| 5-yard penalty | -2 |
SPECIAL is defined as follows:
A. From a coaching standpoint, you will be given a thorough and detailed scouting report. You MUST STUDY this and have total knowledge of not only your technique and assignment, but also what we are attempting to ACCOMPLISH IN EACH phase of the game. Many times starters are involved in Teams and not only must master offensive and defensive game plans, but you must know and be an expert in certain specific "Teams" areas. KNOW YOUR OPPONENT!!
B. On game day we must have NO
Penalties
Missed Assignments
Poor Techniques
Substitution Errors
Fumbles
Turnovers
Blocked Kicks
This involves CONCENTRATION.
II. ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL KICKING GAME
This article was written in 1999.
"I am going to WIN..."
1. To be the BEST units in the League.
2. To make at least two Big Plays a game.
3. WIN at least 2 games with the "Teams" units.
4. Be known as the most "PHYSICAL" team in the League.
III. GRADING SYSTEM
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