Michigan Football Series: Punt Return Strategies

with Chris Partridge,
University of Michigan Linebackers Coach in 2023;
Ole Miss Co-Defensive Coordinator from 2020 to 2023;
University of Michigan Safeties Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers from 2016 to 2019;
2016 Scout.com National Recruiter of the Year;
2017 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year;
Paramus Catholic High School (NJ) Head Coach from 2010 to 2014;
while there, the Partridge-coached program went from a football high school program rank of 4,250th nationally to #4 nationally (USA Today)

Punt returns serve as great opportunities for your special teams unit to flip the field position and get your offense set up for a quick scoring drive. This video featuring the former University of Michigan Special Teams Coordinator Chris Partridge dishes on everything you need to know to run a more effective punt return scheme.

Hold Up and Blocking Technique

Coach Partridge begins by showing examples of the stance and alignments that he teaches to members of his punt return unit. He then goes into detail, using game footage as well as practice video, about how he teaches the initial hold up technique including footwork, hand placement, and positioning after the initial strike. Partridge also demonstrates how he teaches his players to block the punt coverage players down the field. You'll get several techniques that help players make blocks using proper leverage when they are at a disadvantage without getting a penalty for clipping or targeting.

Coaching Punt Returners

You will see several excellent coaching points on how Coach Partridge coaches punt returners. He covers punt fielding techniques, as well as tips for the returner that helps them anticipate the type of ball flight before the punter kicks the ball. Additionally, Partridge goes over the types of ball flight that returners will see and how the returner should prepare to field each type of kick. Finally, Partridge shows examples of when the returner should fair catch a punt and when they should not attempt to field a kick.

Punt return situations can often be taken for granted, but putting more focus on them can help your team out tremendously. With this video featuring Coach Partridge, your team's punt return unit will be a weapon come this fall!

63 minutes. 2019.