Drills Report: Kickoff Return – The Alley Drill

Anyone who has coached special teams at any level will usually list three problem areas that can sometimes make it difficult to excel in the kicking game. One is personnel. It is a constant challenge to balance utilizing your roster to the max yet also getting the best players on your team involved in the kicking game. Another is how much time is allotted to special teams practice. If you are in high school or college, your practice time is often limited. Unless you have a head coach who really understands special teams, it is often the first part of practice to get cut when there is a time squeeze. The third would be getting a full speed look in practice, especially on kickoffs and kickoff returns. It is very difficult to go 11-on-11 in a kickoff setting and get a true look without risking serious injuries. The first two problem areas may be out of your control. However, if you can