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Pick My Team

Lesson 8 of 14 · 6 min

Special teams

Kick-offs, punts and field goals: the third team on the pitch, in one sitting.

Path 0/14

Cream circle = offence (they have the ball)Gold letters on dark = defenceGold oval = the ballSolid gold line = line of scrimmage (LOS)Red arrow = rush

Offence (cream circles)

  • QB quarterback
  • RB running back
  • WR wide receiver
  • TE tight end
  • LT LG C RG RT the offensive line (left tackle to right tackle, centre in the middle)

Defence (gold letters)

  • DE defensive end
  • DT defensive tackle
  • LB linebacker
  • CB cornerback
  • S safety

Special teams (when they appear)

  • K kicker
  • ST coverage / special teams
  • RET returner

Special teams are the kicking units. They are “special” only because they are not the ordinary offence or defence. For a few plays each game they decide field position, and sometimes the result.

Kick-off

The game starts with a kick-off, and so does the second half. After most scores, the team that just scored also kicks off. The other side either catches it and runs, or takes a touchback and starts at a set yard line. Modern kick-off rules keep changing to make returns a bit safer; the idea stays the same: restart, then play.

Special teams, not the usual 11. One side kicks from their own end; a returner waits deep. Most drives start after a kick-off or a punt, not after a flashy play.KSTSTSTRET
Special teams, not the usual 11. One side kicks from their own end; a returner waits deep. Most drives start after a kick-off or a punt, not after a flashy play.

Punt

On fourth down, if you are too far away to kick a field goal and not brave enough to go for it, you punt. A specialist drop-kicks the ball as far downfield as they can. The other team’s returner tries to catch it and run. Or they call a fair catch: a wee wave of the hand that says “I will catch this, nobody hit me, and I will not run.”

Field goals and extra points

The kicker, holder and long snapper come on. The snap has to be clean, the hold has to be tidy, and the kicker has to send it between the posts. From the stands it looks simple. From 50 yards, with a rush coming, it is not.

If the kick is short or wide, and a defender catches it, they can return it. That includes a catch in the end zone. Run it the length of the field and the defence have a touchdown. Beginners often think a missed kick is just a dead ball. It is not, unless they down it or it goes out of play.

Touchback
The kicked ball reaches the end zone and is downed there. The receiving team starts at a fixed spot, with no return.
Fair catch
The returner signals they will catch the punt without being tackled, and cannot advance the ball.
Blocked kick
The defence get a hand on a punt or field goal. Chaos usually follows, and a return for a touchdown is legal.

Finished this one?

Next: Penalties →See this week’s games →