Special Teams in Football Explained

A punt or kickoff return for a touchdown, recovering an onside kick, and making a long field goal are all special teams football plays that can have a big impact and help win a game.

Special teams players have an important, underrated task. They’re players used in situations where the ball is being kicked for punts, field goals, and kickoffs. Great teams have great special teams.

Let’s look at what makes a quality special teams unit.

What Are Special Teams?

Special teams are the 11 players on the field during kickoff plays. Both offense and defense use special teams players when the ball is punted or kicked off. Teams punt the ball when a drive stalls, and they kick it after a score and to start each half. Below is a list of the special teams players.

Long Snapper: A long snapper hikes the football to the punter for a stalled drive or the placeholder for a field goal. The snap distance for a punt is 15 yards, and 7 yards for a field goal. Long snappers are specially designated players in the NFL. That means their only job is to snap the football in kicking situations. In a shotgun formation, the quarterback lines up 5 yards behind the center. A deep snap is for a punt and short snap is for a field goal.
Punters: A punter receives the football from the long snapper and boots it downfield. The punter’s responsibility is to pin their opponents as close to their goal line as possible.
Holder: On a field goal attempt, the holder is the person who receives the football from the long snapper. Their job is to catch the football, place it on the ground, and hold it on its end for the field goal kicker to kick it through the upright goalposts. A holder is usually a player who has good hands and can easily catch the ball and put it on the ground in one swift motion. Often, the quarterback is the holder.
Field Goal Kickers: Field goal specialists have a single job: to kick field goals. A field goal is worth 3 points, and it occurs when the football travels through the uprights of the goalpost. Field goal kickers are critical players, and the best are highly paid. The top NFL field goal kicker made $6 million in 2023. Many games are decided in the NFL by a field goal. The field goal kicker usually kicks off after scores and at the start of each half. The kickoff is when a team kicks the ball to their opponents from the 35-yard line in the NFL.
Return Specialist: A return specialist returns kicks and punts. Their primary job is to catch and run back punts and kickoffs. Some teams designate specific punt returners and kickoff returners. Other teams use the same player for each job. Unlike punters, long snappers, and field goal kickers, return specialists are rarely designated players. They could be a wide receiver, running back, or even a defensive back.
Gunner: A gunner lines up in a receiver position on a punt. Their job is to run downfield quickly and tackle the punt returner or returner specialist first. They are also sometimes called shooters or flyers. On kickoff formations, gunners usually line up on the outside of the line of scrimmage nearest to the sideline.
Jammers: Jammers are defenders who try to slow down the gunners. They line up across from the gunners and try to stay in front of them and block them. A jammer’s job is to delay the gunners from getting to the return specialist. If they do their job well, they can put their returner in a position to break free for a long gain or even score a touchdown.
Blockers: Offensive linemen and running backs are usually the other blockers in a special teams situation. Teams usually have 2 protectors in the backfield when they are lining up to punt. The protectors line up around 5 and 10 yards behind the long snapper. Their job is to block any defenders that break through the offensive line and attempt to block the punt.

The Importance of Special Teams

The difference between winning and losing a game can depend on a special teams play. Special teams plays occur for both the defense and offense. Let’s examine some big special plays.

Blocked Punt: A blocked punt is when the defense recovers the football after a player breaks through the offensive line and deflects or alters the punt. The defensive team gets the ball where the fumble was recovered. Because the ball is live after a block, the defense can run it back for a touchdown.
Punt/Kickoff Return for a Touchdown: This occurs when the returner catches the football and runs it into the end zone for a score. It’s considered one of the most exciting plays in football, and yet it rarely happens. In 2023, there were 9 kickoff and punt returns for TDs. A long return, even if it’s not for a TD, is a big play.
Onside Kicks: An onside kick is when the offense squibs the ball past the first line of defenders and tries to recover the football. In regular play, the defense must possess the ball to fumble it. During a kickoff, the ball is considered live and can be picked up by either side after it travels 10 yards. Because teams kick off their 35-yard line, an onside kick is considered a risky play. Offenses typically try this play when they’re trailing late in the game, and they need to get possession of the ball to score. Defense has their “best hands” team in their first line to guard against these types of kicks. Sometimes, teams will start the game with an onside kick to surprise their opponent. An onside kick recovered by the offense can give the team a chance to come back and win.

Strategies for Special Teams

Special teams have their own dedicated coach. Special teams players are considered the third component of football along with offense and defense.

Players on special teams often have a sense of camaraderie that binds them because the work they do isn’t glamorous but it’s important. There are usually 4 different types of special teams units.

Kickoff Team: These players are on the field during kickoffs. They must get the ball off and then move downfield to stop returners.
Punt Team: When the offense fails to get a first down, the punt team comes in to set up a punt.
Return Team: These players on the field receive a kick or punt. Their job is to set up a kickoff or punt return.
Field Goal Unit: These players are in during a field goal attempt.

These units all practice separately, usually for 15 or 20 minutes daily. Occasionally, a team has a player who isn’t a punter, long snapper, or field goal kicker who only plays on special teams.

Special teams have become the important third component of a football team along with offense and defense. In the NFL, where a team’s playoff chances could be decided by the result of one game, a big special teams play could help a team qualify for the postseason.