Six Phases

Many football people say that special teams is a third of the game. I haven't always accepted that notion. Based on the number of plays during a game, it's closer to a fifth. Despite that mathematical thinking I have to admit that a big play on special teams can often ignite a team far more than big plays on offense or defense. They are so sudden. A blocked field goal carries far more weight than the three points it prevents. A kick return either follows an opponent's score or opens a half. That answer or statement can be huge. To answer an opponent's score so quickly can be a sharper dagger than a methodical drive down the field. The opponent is usually still celebrating as the kick return is negating their score. Special teams splash plays are momentum changers. Perhaps that impact is why many consider it a third of the game. Perhaps they say that it's a third of the game to get the rest of us to appreciate it more. Most fans don't realize that there are six phases to special teams. Coaches sure do. There are kick and punt returns, kick and punt coverage, and field goal/extra point kicking and defense. There are two more less used but very important phases in onside kick recovery and coverage.

I've been thinking about special teams more often than usual this offseason. That's probably due to the Minnesota Vikings depending on the leg of a rookie kicker in Blair Walsh and likely rookie kick and punt returners. Unlike most offenses and defenses, the special teams units undergo major changes every offseason. Most units are formed from the bottom half of team's rosters. That part of the roster is often quite fluid. Pretty much the Vikings entire special teams will be new. That's a result of the typical roster turnover as well as a pretty serious youth movement. Thankfully, punter Chris Kluwe and long snapper Cullen Loeffler will be around for a while to provide a little stability. One real concern with special teams is injuries. It's a concern everywhere in football but special teams injuries can be a significant, under the radar, blow to any team. Some players are part of all six phases of the special teams. You lose an offensive or a defensive player and there's some shuffling. You lose a certain special teams player and there's a domino effect that can be brutal. All six phases can be rattled. Special teams players aren't usually household names but their role on the team is critical and their enthusiasm is infectious. Even though I once accepted it, the amount of time spent on the field isn't the best way to view the importance of special teams. Those units can set the tone for the game. The first play of every half involves the special teams. It's the quickest way to answer any score. All six phase, and sometimes eight, can and do regularly change games.