Positions Special Teams
Special teams take the field whenever the ball is kicked or punted. Open a unit to see who's on it and what they do.
KickerThe specialists who punt, kick field goals and kick off.
Objective
The Punter is the kicker who kicks punts. A good punt will be long/far and high to allow for the tacklers to get downfield. A good punter will also be able to control his distance and stop the ball inside the 20-yard line.
The Field Goal kicker kicks field goals and extra points. Accuracy is key here. This player usually kicks the kick-off as well, where distance is the main goal.
Attributes
- Excellent Leg Strength The kicker needs to be able to kick the ball far down the field when he needs to.
- Excellent Technique Kickers often only have one or two chances a game to make a big difference, so their kicks need to be accurate on the first try.
- Cool Under Pressure Many times the team wins or loses because of the Kicker... talk about pressure.
Kick Off UnitKicks the ball deep to start each half and after every score.
Objective
Kicks the ball as far down field as possible to the opponent's Return Team. Players line up just behind their own 30-yard line at the beginning of the game, at the half and after a score.
Who's on the unit
A Kicker, a Holder, a Snapper and eight (8) offensive blockers. The Snapper passes the ball back between his legs to the Holder. The Holder holds the ball in place to be kicked by the Kicker while the blockers protect the Kicker from the rushing opponent.
Kicking UnitKicks field goals (3 points) and extra points (1 point).
Objective
Kicks the ball through the goal at the opponent's end zone for Field Goals (3 points) and Extra Point attempts (1 point).
The Kicking Unit is used when the offense realizes it may not reach the opponent's end zone but is in Field Goal range (35 yards on average, but it varies) and wants to score points before losing possession of the ball.
Who's on the unit
A Kicker, a Holder, a Snapper and eight (8) offensive blockers. The Snapper passes the ball back between his legs to the Holder. The Holder holds the ball in place to be kicked by the Kicker while the blockers protect the Kicker from the rushing opponent.
Punting UnitPunts the ball away when the offense can't make a first down.
Objective
Kicks the ball far and straight downfield (about 40 yards).
The Punting Unit is used when the offense realizes it won't gain its 10 yards by 4th down, so it punts the ball to the other team.
Who's on the unit
A Punter, a Snapper, two (2) Wideouts, four (4) Offensive Blockers and three (3) Fullbacks. The Offensive Blockers block so the Snapper can snap the ball to the Punter, who punts it while the Wideouts run downfield to tackle the Punt Returner. The Fullbacks stop any players from interfering with the punt and are the last line of defense.
Return TeamsCatches kicks and punts and tries to run them back.
Objective
Receives the punt from the offense and tries to gain possession of the ball closer to their end zone.
Who's on the unit
A Punt Returner, two (2) Return Blockers and eight (8) Defensive Rushers. The Defensive Rushers rush the Punter and try to block the kick. If that doesn't succeed, the Punt Returner catches the ball and runs toward the opposing team's end zone while the Return Blockers run ahead and block for him.
Fair catch: if the Punt Returner sees he's about to get creamed, he can wave one hand to signal a fair catch. Once he catches the ball he can't run, and the other team can't hit him.
