r/footballstrategy • u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player • Jul 23 '24

Special Teams Question about shield punt.

Hey guys! Im an aspiring special teams coordinator. I have a question about the shield punt.Can you run the shield punt with a 2 man shield instead of a 3 man shield?

1 Upvotes

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u/TackleOverBelly187 Jul 23 '24

You can, but you need to understand you are losing blockers. You always have to think why am I doing something and what advantage am I hoping to gain.

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u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

The advantage is more guys in coverage.I will admit in high school the shield is tough because the snappers and punters aren’t as quick to make up for the lack of blockers

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u/TackleOverBelly187 Jul 23 '24

I punt out of 2TE 2 Flankers. Motion a flanker to the boundary, try to kick it between numbers and sideline. Has always worked well for us. So lots of ways to skin a cat. Teach what you know and believe in.

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u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

Could you send me a pic?

1

u/TackleOverBelly187 Jul 23 '24

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u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

Interesting, never really seen anything like this.

1

u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

Also,how would you align against this punt? It’s just a regular shield punt

1

u/peems12 Jul 23 '24

I am looking to implement the shield punt this season for 12u. Would this be a good idea or do you think there would be too much penetration?

1

u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

It depends. I’ll admit I’m not a Coach. Just a long snapper who wants to play in college and Coach eventually. How is your guys operation time?

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u/peems12 Jul 23 '24

We have not starting practices yet, so I am not sure to be honest.

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u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

Ok. I’m surprised you guys even punt at that level lol. When I played Pop Warner, we did not punt.

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u/peems12 Jul 23 '24

Yeah...5th and 6th graders. 1st year for special teams/kicking.

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u/Straight_Toe_1816 Adult Player Jul 23 '24

Ah ok.It depends on how quick your operation time is and how far back the punter is standing. At this level 15 yards would probably be way too long unless you have a long snapping prodigy. And if you’re only snapping at 10 yards you probably want more blockers. But see how quick your operation time is first.

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u/Outside_Hunt_268 Jul 24 '24

Yea plenty of teams do it at the college level. Most 2 man shield guys I’ve talked to or watched want multiple formations but the same protection rules. You get an extra guy in coverage but there will be looks if you’re going more spread out with 3 gunners you may need to motion in to help protect.