When it comes to NFL special teams excellence, look no further than Coach Bobby April. The Bills' special teams unit posted another standout season in 2004 as the unit led the NFL in four categories. For the last two years, the Bills have lead the NFL in Kickoff return, starting at the 34.9 yard line, on average. April's unit finished first in the annual Dallas Morning News special teams ranking, the first NFL team to win the award in consecutive years. Although Coach April's Kickoff return system is coveted in the NFL, he does not advise high school coaches to clone his system; April does urge coaches at all levels to learn how an organized system of kickoff return can greatly aid any coach. Practice and the ability to adjust on the fly can really help the return team. Key points are discussed with returns vs. a regular kick and a short kick. A major factor in diagramming returns is mixing players with the point on the field where the ball is put in play. Coach April calls his Kickoff return team "The Seals". The goal of the "Seals" is to find the mission and to execute the mission. Teams are challenged to build a formation that can successfully launch a play into action. Coach April encourages coaches to find the best way to get your 11 players in the right formation to run kickoff return. Coach April outlines objectives such as ball security, playing penalty free, gaining good field position, scoring touchdowns, and hitting hard to set the temp of the game. Also discussed are the Front Five guidelines, fullback blocking, wedge coaching points, and return man coaching points. Practice drills for the Front 5 and the wedge are explained with the aid of practice footage. This presentation is honest, straightforward, and packed with tips for improving kickoff return units on any level!

46 minutes. 2006.

FD-02576B: with Bobby April, Buffalo Bills (NFL)
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coach

For coaches who seek improvement in special teams play, this DVD will provide the catalyst needed. In detailed fashion, Coach April highlights everything needed for improving special teams play starting with the development of staff. That includes the role of Special Teams Coach, role of the staff and coach assignments. Constant emphasis is put on the question, "In what way can we make our special teams better?" This question is designed to challenge the high school, college and pro coach who is committed to special teams results. Also analyzed is how to staff a special teams unit by describing the characteristics of a successful special teams player. April allows you to look behind the scenes as he answers the "Tough Questions for the Head Coach." In Buffalo, players take pride in their specific special teams unit by buying into the importance of their jobs. The Gurkhas, Seals, Delta Force, Rangers, Armor and Cavalry describe each of the specialty units that make up the NFL's best special teams attack. Pride, organization and toughness characterize the make up of an exceptional special teams unit, and Buffalo serves as a great example. When you apply Bobby April's sound approach to winning football to your own situation, positive results will come your way.

40 minutes. 2006.

For coaches who seek improvement in special teams play, this DVD will provide the catalyst needed. In detailed fashion, Coach April highlights everything needed for improving special teams play starting with the development of staff. That includes the role of Special Teams Coach, role of the staff and coach assignments. Constant emphasis is put on the question, "In what way can we make our special teams better?" This question is designed to challenge the high school, college and pro coach who is committed to special teams results. Also analyzed is how to staff a special teams unit by describing the characteristics of a successful special teams player. April allows you to look behind the scenes as he answers the "Tough Questions for the Head Coach." In Buffalo, players take pride in their specific special teams unit by buying into the importance of their jobs. The Gurkhas, Seals, Delta Force, Rangers, Armor and Cavalry describe each of the specialty units that make up the NFL's best special teams attack. Pride, organization and toughness characterize the make up of an exceptional special teams unit, and Buffalo serves as a great example. When you apply Bobby April's sound approach to winning football to your own situation, positive results will come your way.

40 minutes. 2006.

Coach Sofran presents an inside-look at how one of the winningest high school football programs in the nation runs its special teams. Sofran covers all facets of this comprehensive special teams system. You'll see a detailed look at the how to create a strategic advantage on kickoff teams, where the ultimate goal is to pin the opponent inside the 20 and to create turnovers. This is demonstrated through a myriad of ways such as creating a web with a 5-5 alignment and utilizing squib kicks to keep the ball away from your opponent's top returner. You'll also learn proven methods for maintaining a turnover-free and yardage-gaining wedge-return scheme for your kick-return unit that features blocking scheme, return routes and special strategies. As a bonus, you'll get an overview on building success with your punt coverage and punt-return teams! This includes critical punt-team coverage tactics such as protecting the punter, avoiding blocks, locating the ball and making sound tackles. Also covered are topics on managing punt team personnel, fake punts and the running punt. Using game footage and diagrams schemes, you'll get all the inside information you need to build a complete special teams program!

49 minutes. 2007.

Coach Schneider has been coaching special teams since he started coaching colligate football at Colorado State in 1994. He coached eight all-conference special teams players in seven seasons at UCLA and Colorado State. Special teams is the one area of football that lacks the attention it deserves during the season. By utilizing the pre-practice routine Coach Schneider demonstrates in this DVD, you will be able to work with your long snappers, punters, kickers, kick returners, punt returners, and gunners. Schneider also uses the marker board to diagram drills for downing punts inside the five yard line, receiving sky punts, and various drills used for the middle, right, and left punt returns. Game footage shows how each of these drills will pay off on game day!

69 minutes. 2005.

Led by Coach Clint Bowen, the 2005 Jayhawks finished #1 in the Big 12 and #2 nationally in kick off coverage. This success is due to the "keep it simple" philosophy and detailed drill work on the practice field. With an average drive start at the 22.2 yard line, the Kansas "SWAT" team swarmed its opponent with an aggressive, attacking style. Using a PowerPoint presentation and game footage, Coach Bowen effectively details the key points of his teaching philosophy. He describes a "kick middle" team (each player is numbered 1-5 on the right and left side of the ball) and how "Taking the line" incorporates timing the kicker's approach and hitting the line at full speed. Kicking coverage is won or lost in the speed and read zone. Bowen teaches lane disbursement and landmarks to effectively move downfield. Each player owns his own "5-yard world" as the 5's, 4's and 3's all have specific duties. The contain/fold player's jobs are also discussed. Kick coverage drills include the Avoid drill, Avoid and Press, Avoid/Press/Tackle, Double team drill, and the Contain/Fold drill. The "Sharks" are featured in several drills. Drills for the front five include landmark drops, Fit and Finish, Short drop and double team. This effective presentation is strengthened by drills and video footage. As important as special teams are to successful football, this DVD will boost kick off coverage and return results. Coach Bowen provides an excellent array of drills and teaching points that can help you prepare effectively for the upcoming season!

55 minutes. 2006.

FD-02558B: with Clint Bowen,
University of Kansas Special Teams Coordinator

As special teams coordinator at Kansas, Clint Bowen has faced the best of the Big 12. His experience as a player and coach at KU have aided his knowledge of the intricacies of special teams play. In this DVD he shares practice philosophy and drills for punt team and punt return. Coach Bowen's PowerPoint presentation is enhanced with both game and practice footage. The video clips show drills to build the foundation of successful punt and punt return teams. Known as the "Bomb" Squad, the punt team is taught that 100% focus is mandatory because one mistake is critical. Coach Bowen details stance and alignment for all positions, and the kick slide technique. Emphasis is given to field landmarks and squeezing to the ball as players rush downfield. Gunners are taught to drive and punch through without false steps. Drills shown are the Mirror drill, pitting the first team vs. the scout squad and the half line drill. This drill breaks the team into left side, right side and middle, each group working on specific assignments. The field landmark drill, the squeeze drill, and the gunner drill are all explained. Bowen also covers punt return highlighted by the "Outlaws." Knowing whether your team is a return team or a block team is crucial. The Jayhawks emphasize the punt return and teach attack stances, getting vertical and knowing the block point. The rush technique relies on the "get off," keeping a base, with hands inside. The goal is to win at the line of scrimmage. The downfield "hand and shoulder" is drilled as well as the high screen and the bracket. Return team drills include the block drill, Fit and Force, the Nudge technique, the bubble technique and footwork drills for the corners. This DVD offers coaches the opportunity to see how the small parts add up to become big plays on the field. A good mixture of philosophy, drills and video footage makes this DVD a tool for the coach who knows the value of great special teams play.

58 minutes. 2006.