Football 101: Special teams

Updated: November 7, 2003, 1:55 PM ET
By Bob Davie | Special to ESPN.com
Every week you hear college football coaches talk about the importance of the kicking game and how it will play a key role in deciding who wins or loses. Today's class will look at one element of the kicking game that changes momentum and impacts the outcome of the game more than any other -- blocked kicks.

This week's class will tackle not only why this area of the kicking game is so critical but also look at different philosophies in regard to the overall kicking game.

All coaching staffs realize and stress the importance of the kicking game and blocked kicks, but none have done a better job over the years than Virginia Tech. The Hokies under Frank Beamer have been outstanding in all phases of special teams but particularly cause havoc with their kick-blocking ability. In 189 games under Beamer, Virginia Tech has 97 blocked kicks. Fifty-one of those have been blocked punts with 14 of the blocks resulting in touchdowns.


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Bob Davie

College Football
Bob Davie, a veteran college football coach of 25 years, most recently as head coach at the University of Notre Dame, serves as an analyst on college football game telecasts and select studio shows.

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