Accuracy of snap: on line with velocity and
without making the holder adjust his hand placement.
One- or two-hand snap
Block: ability to snap then engage defender.
Quickness off the line of scrimmage: ability to
seal then release downfield in assigned lane responsibility.
Effort downfield: hustle and desire combined
with speed.
Tackle: desire to finish along with lane
assignment discipline.
RETURN
SPECIALIST CATEGORIES
Judgment: when to and when not to field the
ball. Movement after the catch. Fair catch. Foolishness versus fearless.
Hands: soft or hard. Body catch or extension
from body? Adjustment to the ball in the air?
Elusiveness: Ability to make the first tackler
miss. Finding and taking seams. North/South runner.
Acceleration: Burst to hit the seams and open
areas.
Game breaker: threat to go all the way. Handling
game pressure. Ability to take hits and secure the ball.
RETURN
TEAM CATEGORIES
Assignment: location of man immediately on
returns. Must know blocking assignment and technique on kickoff and punt
returns.
Effort: intensity and desire.
Position in scheme: hustle and get in position
to cut off or block the path of the ball carrier.
Ball awareness: location of the ball. Must know
the height, direction and distance.
Getting more than one man: getting your man and
getting another if he comes off the block.
Got man: Can have a good return only if each man
blocks.
Judgment: Ball and position awareness.
PLACEKICKER
CATEGORIES
Production/Accuracy
Handling Pressure: How does he handle the rush?
Does he panic under game conditions? Does he lose composure and/or
concentration.
Foot speed: Can you see the foot of the kicker
making contact with the ball with the naked eye?
Plant relationship: Square, Open or Pigeon toed.
Angle approach: Tight or wide.
Flight of ball: End over end or helicopter ball.
Stepping pattern: 2-3 steps. How many steps over
on a soccer style kicker.
Style: Soccer style. Instep kicker or side of
the foot or top of the foot from the side.
Quickness of kick: snap to foot times (1.3 or
better), ground to kick (0.7 or better.)
Rise: How quickly does the ball get up in the
air?
Handling wind: Against the wind, with the wind,
cross wind---does the ball turn over?
Tackler: Cover ability and courage. Is he a
trailer and absorbs tacklers or does he initiate.
Run and pass: Can he make a play running? Can he
throw quickly and with accuracy and velocity.
Kickoff production: Depth and hang time of kicks
(4.0 hang time on goal line)
Kickoff mental stability: Handling pressure.
Kickoff foot speed: translates into height and
depth on kickoffs. Can you see his foot make contact with the ball or is
it a blur?
Field goal operation time: at 8 yards = 1.3
seconds; at 7 yards = 1.2 seconds NFL teams prefer 7 yard kickers
PUNTER
CATEGORIES
Distance
Hang time: minimum hang time (4.3) on 46 yard
punt. Must add (.01) seconds to hang time for every yard less than 46
yards. EX: must be 4.4 on 45 yard punt and so on.
Production: combination of distance and hang
time.
Foot speed: Equates to leg strength which ties
to some degree with distance and hang time. Can you see the punter's
foot hit the ball or is it a blur?
Approach line: Is he a drifter and how does he
drift from the center line?
Handling time: Inconsistency of the snapper can
affect this. How many steps and what is his block zone? (1/2 yard
included for his plant step. Handling time grades (1.1-1.2) is good.
Stepping pattern
Hands: How quick can he drop the ball and how
soft is his hands?
Tackling: Cover ability and courage. Is he a
trailer and absorbs tacklers or does he initiate contact.
Run and pass: Can he make plays with his feet?
Can he throw quickly and with accuracy?
Block zone: 10 yards from the LOS--measured from
the point at which the punter's foot reaches out.
Hand to Foot times: Must be at least 1.2 or
quicker.
Timing required for the punting game: center
snap at 15 yards = .76; at 14 yards = .75; punter hand to foot = 1.2;
total get-off time at 15 yards = 2.3; at 14 yards = 2.2; minimum hang
time on 40 yards = 4.3
COVERAGE
TEAM CATEGORIES
Assignment: must know coverage assignment of the
position.
Effort: Intensity and desire.
Progress to the ball: Sprinting and adjusting
with anticipation.
Ball awareness: location of ball. Must know
height, direction and distance.
Stay on feet: high block. Initiate contact with
use of hands or upper body. Stay square and mirror the ball carrier.
Handling the low or cut block.
Forces: Hustle and force the ball carrier into
pursuit--angle or position running to help others in the tackle.
Tackle: Maintaining good positioning--head to
the numbers. Wrap arms around and drag down. Breast plate to the numbers
is the aiming point.
