with Bobby April,
Philadelphia Eagles Special Teams Coach;
former Buffalo Bills (NFL) Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coach;
2008 and 2004 Special Teams Coach of the Year Award

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.