House Call: Explosive Plays with the Punt Return Team
by Andy Merfeld
Description
Whether you primarily coach on offense, defense, or special teams, field position is king. One of the ways you can help your team win the battle of hidden yardage and dominate field position is through assembling a dynamic punt return unit.
This is the second in Coach Merfeld’s series on running the punt block-return team. In this presentation, Coach Merfeld covers all elements of teaching, practicing, and executing successful punt returns. He discusses the coaching points for the three different parts of the play: at the line of scrimmage, the “battle” in the middle of the play, and the finish. For each of the three parts of the play, Coach Merfeld explains the main coaching points, with practice drills and game clips included. For each of the three parts of the play, Coach Merfeld explains the main coaching points, with practice drills and game clips included. He also discusses how you can use two deep returners to cover the field, as well as other variations which can be easily and effectively implemented.
In part 1 of this series, Coach Merfeld focuses on punt blocks. In part 3, he covers all aspects of organizing and administering the punt block-return team. You can purchase all three courses with the Punt Block & Punt Return Bundle. This course also includes the Powerpoint presentation from the course, with editable diagrams and coaching points.
Coaches are also encouraged to contact Coach Merfeld and he will send the Hudl film used in these presentations. This 3-part series includes everything you need to coordinate the punt block-return team!
Lessons
The Coach
Andy Merfeld has experience coaching at the small-college and high school levels and specializes in coverages, defensive back play, and special teams. His CoachTube courses focus narrowly on very specific topics, which allows coaches to effectively implement the strategies and processes he discusses.
He currently is the corners coach and special teams coordinator at Benedictine College (NAIA – KS) and previously coached at Upper Iowa University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Edgewood High School (WI). Relevant coaching achievements:
- Benedictine College (CBs). In 2019 the Ravens led all NAIA and NCAA schools with ten blocked punts, and also led the NAIA in punt return yards at the end of the regular season. In 2020 the team again led the NAIA in blocked kicks, and also finished sixth in punt return yards. The defense finished 3rd in the NAIA in sacks, 4th in interceptions, 2nd in rush defense, and led all NAIA and NCAA schools with four shutouts in ten games. In 2022 the Ravens blocked eight total kicks and were fifth in the country in kickoff return average. In 2023 Benedictine had the top special teams unit in the NAIA, again leading the country in blocked kicks (T-1st), finished 4th in the NAIA in gross punt, 4th in gross kickoff average, 5th in punt return average, and 9th in NAIA in KOR average.
- Upper Iowa (DBs). In 2017 the Peacocks finished second nationally in punt return touchdowns and fifth in punt blocks. They also finished 10th in the country in pass defense.
- Minnesota Duluth (Def. GA). In two years the Bulldogs compiled a 22-4 record, including three postseason wins and a #3 national ranking in the 2014 season.
- Edgewood High School (DC, strength and conditioning). In 2011 the Crusaders set the school record for wins and advanced to the WIAA state semifinals for the first time.
This Course Includes
| 24 hours on-demand video |
| Streaming from mobile and TV |
| Lifetime access |
| Certificate of completion |
| 100% money back guarantee |
Course Info
| Rating: | (5) |
|---|---|
| Caterory: | Football/Special Teams |
| Bookings: | 28 |
| Duration: | |
| Videos: | 12 |
