Punt Protection and Coverage

At Olivet Nazarene University we prioritize our special teams as follows (in order of importance): 1. Punt Protections and Coverage 2. Kickoff Coverage 3. Extra Point Protection 4. Punt Return and 5. Kickoff Return. Time spent on a particular special team unit is based on our priority list; thus, we will spend more time and effort on the punting game than we would spend on the kickoff return. This article will focus on our number one priority – Punt Protection and Coverage. Punt Personnel and Alignment ONU utilizes as much speed as possible on our punt protection team. As you will see from Diagram 1, we utilize tailbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, fullbacks and linebackers to protect and cover our punts. We want our front five to be big enough to protect but also fast enough to cover our punts. ONU will utilize a quarterback as its personal protector. We want someone at this