1. AUGUIE SPECIAL FORCES S=Spirit P=Pride E=Enthusiastic Effort C=Courage I=Intensity A=Awareness L=Loyalty 2. THE BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY SPECIAL FORCES 3. AUGUSTANA FOOTBALL “Special Forces” At Augustana we will take a militaristic approach to our special teams play.We believe that the team who wins the special teams phase in the big ball games ends up victorious.We recognize the outstanding reputation the American military forces have earned for themselves in battle.Within each branch of our armed forces is an elite unit.These units only accept the bravest, most courageous, most competent – and the elite specialists – to be a part of their operations.These units rely on extremely disciplined performers, precise execution, attention to minute detail, and a mentality which accepts that there is no second chance. The special teams for Augustana football will embody the same principles and thereby will be calledSpecial Forces .These units will operate with the same discipline, precision, detail, and mentality.We will drill ourselves to execute that one opportunity we are given to perfection.We will lead this program in being the best it can be.We are the best of the best. 4. Offense sells tickets, Defense wins games SPECIAL TEAMS WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS Too often in championship games the respective offenses and defenses of two battling opponents are negating each other.The contest is tight.At various moments one unit is gaining the upper hand on another, and then vice-versa.Frequently, one of two things happens or is happening.One is dramatic and obvious.The other is subtle, but equally as decisive.A big play in the kicking phase: a blocked kick, a huge return, a successful fake, turns out to be the difference in a hard-fought contest. 5. More often another scenario is the case.In a similarly closely-contested game, where two teams respective defenses and offenses have moments where they shine and are frustrated, special team play, though lacking the dramatic big play, is determining the victor and the loser in the contest.One teams special units are winning the field position battle, gaining yardage for their offensive and defensive units each exchange of possession.In a subtle, almost covert type of way, the game is decided. 6. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.Special team play is frequently the most short-changed aspect of a football program.Through statistical information and playing time, it has been shown that special teams play accounts for 25-32% of plays in a football contest.Many programs admit to the validity of this, but in action do not wholeheartedly believe it.At Augustana College, everything that we believe is practiced in action, hence, 25-32% of our practice time will be devoted to seizing the competitive edge on our opponents in the kicking phase of a football contest. By the very nature of the game of football the structure of the team is divided into separate segments called offense and defense.All too often this separation is too great.SPECIAL TEAMSpresents the opportunity for a football team to come together in an effort to gain an advantage on an opponent.In these efforts, we will blend and combine the strengths of our offense and defense to become a unified force… the secret, undercover“SPECIAL FORCES”of Augustana College. 7. Keep in mind an old, but true axiom of football: nothing changes the complexion of a football game like a big play in the kicking game.Our SPECIAL FORCESwill be the perpetrators, not the victims, of big plays in the specialty phase of a football contest.We will be fundamentally sound to prevent the big play, and cunning and opportunistic to create one.In addition, in the meantime we will be patient for the BIG STRIKE, yet industrious in subtly winning field position to give our respective defensive and offensive units greater chances for success. 8. 1. EXPECT THE BEST As in everything we will do we will maintain an intensity of purpose and pride in continually performing to the best of our capabilities and then creating new barriers as we crash through previous ones.True champions rise to a high level of expectation, and then, create new levels of expectations toward which they confidently strive. Following are the steps we will carry out to have outstanding specialty team play: 9. 2.EMPHASIS We will establish the appropriate amount of practice time necessary to be successful.We will have intense, pro-active coaching in both the team and individual phases of special team play.Our SPECIAL FORCES are our SPECIAL weapon. 10. 3. PERSONNEL We will utilize our finest players to carry out the skills necessary for us to be successful in our SPECIAL FORCES play.These teams are largely conducive to our best players who like to RUN and HIT. 11. 4. STRUCTURE At the core of our SPECIAL FORCES structure will be fundamentally sound, consistent, and simplistic plans.In general, this will give us the ability to be aggressive in execution.However, there will also be subtle strategy changes that are designed to create a BIG STRIKE that may be a game breaker. 12. 5. EFFORT Augie Effort.We do not merely carry out assignments: we do so with enthusiasm.In addition, the SPECIAL FORCES must conjure up images of a “one shot” opportunity.We must be prepared to seize that one opportunity. 13. 6. INTELLIGENCE Know the rules.These can give us a competitive edge.Be alert to the situation.Be smart to avoid penalties, which may negate a great play. 14. AUGUSTANA FOOTBALL SPRCIAL FORCES MISSION STATEMENT 1. WE HAVE A BIG PLAY,BIG HIT REPUTATION: Big plays are proportional to the effort of all 11 players. FANATICAL EFFORT IS UNDERSTOOD.We hit harder, block punts and field goals, return kickoffs and punts for big yardage, and create turnovers.We take tremendous pride in this reputation. 15. 2. WE PLAY LIKE THE HAMMER: INTIMIDATION:We intimidate our opponents with our physical play.We will hit! LEVERAGE:We bend our knees and play pad under pad.The low man always wins. ACCELERATION:We accelerate on contact driving through the man not to the man. 16. 3. WE FULLY UNDERSTAND INSIDE AND IN FRONT: Everything we do when blocking or tackling is from inside – out.When covering punts or kicks we always have an initial landmark until we locate the ball.The ball determines our responsibility and our coverage moves to keep the ball inside and in front at all times. 17. 4. WE FULLY UNDERSTAND RELATIONSHIP: When covering or returning punts or kicks, we have a relationship to the ball and to one another.This is essential to the success of the play. 18. 5. WE PLAY LEGAL: Penalties are unacceptable!There are no second or third downs in the Special Forces game.Kicking game penalties almost always wipe out big plays.We block above the waist, we start onside and we only block in front of our man. 19. 6. WE HAVE GREAT FIELD AWARENESS: We know all the landmarks and the dimensions of the football field.We play smart and make good decisions because we know where we are on the field at all times. 20. 7. WE HAVESIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE SCHEMES: Through constant evaluation and re-evaluation we know what we do and why we do it better than anyone else.We put ourselves in a position to win because we out execute our opponents. 21. 8. WE ARE ASSIGNMENT PERFECT: We make every repetition count.Perfect practice makes perfect. 22. 9. WE ESTABLISH THE FIELD POSITION AND THEREBY THE SCORE: Field position + momentum = Points.The Coverage teams give the defense a long field and the Return teams give the offense a short field. 23. 10. WE ARE TEAM FIRST: We will contribute on SPECIAL FORCESbecause we are unselfish in our approach to winning a championship.Every job on a football team is important.We play to win at all times and value the role of the“SPECIAL FORCERS”. 24. BOMB SQUAD 25. BOMB SQUAD 2006 STATS Net average Goal 2006 = 40 yards (our opponent’s starting point at the 25 yard line or less) Augie’s Net average for 2006 = 37.6 yards 4 thin CCIW (our opponent’s offense started each drive on average at the 27.4yard line) CCIW overall net average = 36.18 yards (The offense started each drive on average at the 28.82 yard line) CCIW Best net average = 39.1 yards (The offense started each drive on average at the 25.9 yard line) Kickoff Return Defense Goal = 14 yards (Yards allowed per kickoff return) Kickoff Return Defense for 2006 = 13.08 1 stin the CCIW ( 38 thout of 229 Nationally) 26. TAKE PRIDE IN THE SQUAD FORCE THE OPPONENT TO START THEIR DRIVE ON OR INSIDE THEIR 28 YARD LINE. 27. COVERAGE EMPHASIS Philosophically, it is important for every player to understand our goal of keeping the opponent inside the 28 yard line and how we will accomplish our goal.We expect the ball to be kicked to the 10 yard line with a hang time of 4.0 seconds.Therefore, in a normal situation our coverage team should be at the opponents 40 yard line (minimum) when the ball is caught by the return man at the 10 yard line.As a coverage unit we would have to cover 12 yards to get to the 28 yard line whereas the return man has to go an minimum of 18 yards. When you SPRINT and are PHYSICAL and efficient avoiding and playing off blocks, you will reach this goal. 28. HUDDLE PROCEDURE We will huddle on the sideline with the coach for the call. On break of huddle from sideline, the squad will hustle on the field and form another huddle directly behind where the kicker is placing the ball.The huddle will be on the 25 yard line.The kicker will repeat the call and break the huddle.From here the kicker will wait until the squad is set.On the signal “ALL SET” the kicker will approach the ball and kick it to the appropriate spot on the field. 29. BOMB SQUAD BASE HUDDLE 1 3 8 9 10 2 4 5 6 7 K 30. BOMB SQUAD BASE ALIGNMENT K 1- three yards from sideline 2- on the numbers 3- 1/2 way between the numbers and the hash 4- on the hash(adjust for kicker's approach) 5- on the left goal post up right 6-on the right goal post up right (adjust for kicker's approach) 7- on the hash 8- 1/2 way between the hash and numbers 9- on the numbers 10- 1/2 way between numbers and sideline 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 31. Hit the line on time Every member of bomb squad should be IN FULL STRIDE at the time of the kick and no more than 1 yard behind the kicker. 32. BOMB SQUAD ATTACK ZONES SPEED ZONE AGILITYZONE STRIKE ZONE 1.GET OFF3.BEAT BLOCKERS 4.ATTACK BALL X This must be timed up with the approach of the kicker.It includes stance, alignment, proper vision of the ball and immediate acceleration to maximum speed. Recognize, while at top speed:1)the direction and depth of the kick: 2) the type of return your opponent is developing. Who is attempting to block me and which direction does he want to block me? If you have a shot take a shot. Keep the ball on your near shoulder and always keep the ball in front of you. SQUEEZE THE RUNNING LANES. 2. READ @ SPEED 33. BOMB LEFTBASE ASSIGNMENTS (5-4-2) 5) Numbers 2,4,5,6, and 7 are first wave bombers.You must ATTACK the ball with proper leverage. 4) Numbers1,3,8 and 9 are second wave of bombers and are clean up players.You must have proper leverage on the ball and play off all blocks to the ball no more than 3 yards behind the 1 stbomb wave. 2) The Kicker and Number 10 are safety responsible.Bracket the football no deeper than the +45. K 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 10 Keep the ball inside and in front 34. x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 K v v v v 2-Knife 4-b gap 5-Apex 6-b gap 7-knife Wedge Fits 35. SKY RIGHT BASE ASSIGNMENTS 36. BOMB SQUAD INSTALLMENT SCHEDULE 2007 A. BOMB LEFT HUDDLE STANCE , ALIGNMENT, START ASSIGNMENT WEDGE FIT BOMB MIDDLE AND RIGHT 37. B. SKY RIGHT EMPHASIS ON CONTAIN TO THE FIELD VS A FIELD RETURN. FAIR CATCHBALL ON THE GROUND 38. BOMB SCRAMBLE ALIGNMENT TIME UP THE KICK 39. BOMB BULLET Determine week to week if we need to assign a bullet attack VS. a side line return team. 40. BOMB AFTER SAFETY 41. ATTACK ONSIDE 42. SURPRISE ONSIDE RIGHT 43. POP OVER 44. PUSH 45. STARBURST PUSH 46. LINE DRIVE 47. SQUIBB DRIVE 48. MacMurray T G C G T FB FB E E R R 1.Scheme = Man Cross 2.Direction = Middle 3.Tags = Double #4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 K x 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 49. MacMurray T G C G T FB FB E E R R 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 x K 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 6 1.Scheme = Man Cross 2.Direction = Middle 3.Tags = Double #6 1 5 50. MacMurray 1.Scheme = Man Cross 2.Direction = Middle 3.Tags = Double #7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 K x 2 T 4 G C G T 9 3 FB 5 E 6 7 E 7 8 FB R R 5 51. Baldwin Wallace 1.Scheme = Ear Hole 2.Direction = Cross Field 3.Tags = Double #9 Note: See the angle of the tackles drop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 x K T G C G T E FB FB E R R 4 5 5 7 8 9 CU CU 9 52. UWP R 5 R E FB FB E T G C G T 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 K x 3 4 6 7 9 9 8 8 1.Scheme = Side line 2.Direction = Right 3.Tags = Double #8 and 9 53. IWU R R FB FB E E T G C G T x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 K 1.Scheme = Wall Wedge 2.Direction = Right & Left Note: Wedge takes you to the ball. 54. ELMHURST 1.Scheme = Wall/Kick Out 2.Direction = Right & Left Note the angle of the tackles drop.