ACE PUNT FORMATION
This formation is one that I have always had the most success with. Then again, I will be the first to say I have not always been one for "the norm". I once saw a video from a Special Teams Coach at Iowa State University. From that moment on, I have always as a Head Coach, used this formation. The philosophy is simple. Divide the field into thirds. Only play in one of them, at the most 2 thirds. Never use the entire field!

Now you are probably asking what in the heck am I talking about. In the Ace formation, we will motion one of the stingers across the formation. The Center snaps the ball when the motion man crosses his vision. By doing this motion, we normally get a stinger uncovered at the snap. We also have reduced the distance the Stinger must go to get to the return man. Even if the Punt Return Team runs with the stinger, they usually have a hard time holding him up at the line of scrimmage.

Now when you add the fake factor, it really gets interesting. If a Return team reacts too strongly and everybody starts adjusting to the motion. You will usually see a overload away from the motion. Easy option play with Personal Protector and Punter. You can just run a sweep away from the motion. If they do not adjust to the motion you can create an overload with the motion and run or pass to the motion side. The possibilities are pretty fun and isn't that what this is suppose to be all about deep down?!

Coaching Points:

Stingers (Outside men): If the kick is coming to your side: You must get off the ball so you will be attacking the outside shoulder of the returner with your inside shoulder. Cannot let the defense drive you away from the returner! If the kick is away from you: On the signal from the Punter, run full speed across the field toward the other Stinger. The Center will snap the ball as soon as you cross his vision. Watch the other Stinger! When he releases, you release. Yourwant to put your inside shoulder on his outside shoulder. Do not let them drive you across the receiver's face!

Center: If uncovered, release straight toward the return man. Your aiming point is chest to chest! Do not cross a stinger's path!

Front 7: If possible we will Inside Zone Block. We will step down with our inside foot sealing the inside gap. That may not always be possible. The Personal Protector will determine the blocking scheme at the line of scrimmage. The P.P. will determine which of these three schemes we will use: 1. Inside Zone 2. Man Blocking 3. Outside Zone. We will be in a 2 point stance ready to step and punch on the snap. We will engage in our block until the kick is away. Once the ball has been kicked we will cover to the ball in our lanes. Starting with the guards. They will be 4 yards outside and 1 yard behind the stinger to his side. The Tackle will mainain the same relationship to the guard and the Tight End will maintain the same to the Tackle. We will never cross the person inside of us. If the returner runs away from us, we will fold back on top of the play to suporrt the cutback. If the return man comes back to our side of the field, we will be ready to maintain our 4 and 1 off the man to our inside.

Personal Protector: Will determine the blocking scheme at the line of scrimmage. We prefer to use Inside Zone scheme if possible. If we call a Man scheme. The P.P. if possible will call anyone off the ball as his and the linemen will man up outside in. If there is an overload , we will call the first man to the outside of the overload as the P.P.'s. From there the line will man up outside in. If there is a double overload to the outside. We will call Special. The P.P. will call the overload to the Punter's leg and that side will man. The opposite side will use Outside Zone scheme to protect. Once the punt has been released, the P.P. release away from the motion to the opposite hash for contain. You will never cross the far hash unless you are trying to save the TD! The returner must never cross your face!

Punter: Determines when the motion will start. By signaling with a nod, the stinger will begin his motion when the punter is ready. The punter must kick in the direction on the motion. Our desired aim is on the numbers shading the sideline. Anything inside the between the hash and sideline will be acceptable. The tighter the better! The objective is to play with only one third of the field. Once you have kicked the ball, at the top of your lungs, yell the direction of the kick. You are then to release down the middle of the field shading toward the hash in the direction of the kick.