Question: Kickoff placement

[GrandBayTider]

I'm hoping someone can help explain the kickoff placement to me. We seem to consistently kick the ball high and to around the 10yd line. Why do we not kick the ball into the end-zone and just let them start on the 20? Is it because our kickers can't get it that far? I always assumed that they could put it there easily, and were just following the coaches directions. But I have heard others opinion that the kickers simply can't get it that far.

 

[JosephSparks]

The kickers are instructed to kick the ball with a good hang time, to the 10 yard line, in between the 10 and the endzone. They practice it every day. The reason for this is to get our coverage down field. IF you do not have a booming kicker, especially since they moved the ball further back, yo have to accomodate for this. Tiffin has been doing a great job of this all year (and I am usually one of his biggest critics). We just haven't been covering up, for whatever reason.

I'm hoping someone can help explain the kickoff placement to me. We seem to consistently kick the ball high and to around the 10yd line. Why do we not kick the ball into the end-zone and just let them start on the 20? Is it because our kickers can't get it that far? I always assumed that they could put it there easily, and were just following the coaches directions. But I have heard others opinion that the kickers simply can't get it that far.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Well currently we don't have a guy that can consistently kick it into the endzone (few teams do however), if we did that's what we'd be seeing IMHO.

 

[JosephSparks]

I think he can do it. But not all the time. Out of bounds kick offs can be devestating. So we try to eliminate that. We need better coverage. That is it. the hang times are good and the placement is also good. We have o make tackles. Tiffin can boom 60 yarders off a tee. What makes you think he can't put it in the endzone. This is a strategy and consistantcy thing.

Well currently we don't have a guy that can consistently kick it into the endzone (few teams do however), if we did that's what we'd be seeing IMHO.

 

[LCN]

I think he can do it. But not all the time. Out of bounds kick offs can be devestating. So we try to eliminate that. We need better coverage. That is it. the hang times are good and the placement is also good. We have o make tackles. Tiffin can boom 60 yarders off a tee. What makes you think he can't put it in the endzone. This is a strategy and consistantcy thing.

Because if could do it with any consistency , he would . That's why we're using the strategy you're speaking of - not the other way around . You say so in your 1st post .

 

[NYBamaFan]

Because if could do it with any consistency , he would . That's why we're using the strategy you're speaking of - not the other way around . You say so in your 1st post .

Yep, if you have a guy that can kick it through the end zone, you let him do it. There are too many different ways that you can get hurt during KO returns with great backs in the open field. If you can avoid a run back altogether, you do so...

 

[CrimsonSEC]

That brings up a question for me. Other than Harris, I wonder why our scholarshiped new kicker, Smith was inserted in an early game when instead of redshirting. I've always heard he has a monster leg, which is apparently isn't true because CNS would use him on kickoffs since his RS is burned. Is he not as good as advertised?

 

[NYBamaFan]

That brings up a question for me. Other than Harris, I wonder why our scholarshiped new kicker, Smith was inserted in an early game when instead of redshirting. I've always heard he has a monster leg, which is apparently isn't true because CNS would use him on kickoffs since his RS is burned. Is he not as good as advertised?

Getting old, but didn't Tiffin get dinged?

 

[CrimsonSEC]

He was, but Smith wasn't the only option.

 

[N AL Tider]

I have been wondering the same thing as far as kick placement. I go to a UNA game and see the kicker there kick it into the endzone w/ no problem almost every time and watch UA kick it high and short. I thought it might be the coaches call, but one of the kick offs during the UGA game Tiffin kicked almost out of the endzone. So, he can do it. And as a fan, I would LOVE to see it more.

One post mentioned the possibility of kicking it out of bounds and not wanting that. My comment to that is, whats the difference? I dont know for sure, but it seems the avg yd line that our opponent starts on is the 35 yd line. Its better than a 96 yd TD run like we gave up in the Clemson game. JMO

:BigA:ROLL TIDE:BigA:

 

[BamaHoHo]

I have been wondering the same thing as far as kick placement. I go to a UNA game and see the kicker there kick it into the endzone w/ no problem almost every time and watch UA kick it high and short. I thought it might be the coaches call, but one of the kick offs during the UGA game Tiffin kicked almost out of the endzone. So, he can do it. And as a fan, I would LOVE to see it more.

One post mentioned the possibility of kicking it out of bounds and not wanting that. My comment to that is, whats the difference? I dont know for sure, but it seems the avg yd line that our opponent starts on is the 35 yd line. Its better than a 96 yd TD run like we gave up in the Clemson game. JMO

:BigA:ROLL TIDE:BigA:

If you kicked it out of bounds every time. The opposing team can back you up & make you kick it again.

 

[Leeroy]

I think it's a mental thing. Actually, I haven't a clue.

Roll Tide

 

[uaintn]

My favorite thread! I don't think there should be any argument. IF you have the kicker who can do it consistently, then you kick off the football out of the dadgum endzone. I don't think we do. I think the risk is that if he tries that every time, Tiffin (and I'm a huge fan of his, by the way) will put a few out of bounds. I believe he is kicking it just where the staff wants him to, but that our coverage assignments have not been executed well and tackling has been poor, at best.

We need to improve markedly this week because Kentucky can run the ball back. In fairness, some of the kickoffs against UGA, especially early in the game, were well covered.

 

[UAME]

In a perfect world, Leigh Tiffin would boom his kickoff into the end zone...

"Hit a good kick and jog off to the sideline," said Tiffin, the Alabama kicker who has made two tackles.

mash here


In this article from the B'ham News yesterday, it seems clear that Tiffin would prefer to kick touchbacks if he could. As others have said, it's a no-brainer to give the other team the ball on the 20, especially as poorly as we've done on kick coverage. If you can't get it out of the endzone, then the best plan is to kick it as high/deep as possible to allow the coverage team to get there.

As far as the UNA kicker, does Div II kick off from the 30?? Have they been subjected to all the clock change rules, etc. that have impacted Div 1?

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Because if could do it with any consistency , he would . That's why we're using the strategy you're speaking of - not the other way around . You say so in your 1st post .

Exactly.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

We just haven't been covering up, for whatever reason.

The reason is that we have very fast, very young STers, at least some of them. They lose discipline and lanes when they get excited and closing in. They pinch in and one key block (especially in the back) or missed tackle, and a long return is the result. On the KOs, it's not just the OOBs, Tiffin can't usually get it to the EZ without line-driving it. A missed line drive to the five or ten can be a disaster - even without a block in the back...

 

[bamaump8]

As far as the UNA kicker, does Div II kick off from the 30?? Have they been subjected to all the clock change rules, etc. that have impacted Div 1?

All the changes that the NCAA has inplemented (clock change and all others) go to all NCAA football divisions, FRom DI to DIII.

It is not uncommon to see a great kicker in the lower divisions. Since most schools don't give scholly's to kickers, a great deal of them go to lower levels because it is cheaper to go to those schools (on most occasions). I was a kicker in high school and had a good bit of offers to kick college ball. As a kicker, I looked at schools that I would have gotten the quickest opprotunity to get a schooly after my first year. I was actually offerd a schooly for a DI school. However, after tearing my ACL in my kicking leg my first game my senior year, all that was blown out the window. By the way, I was playing DB when I tore my ACL.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

The reason is that we have very fast, very young STers, at least some of them. They lose discipline and lanes when they get excited and closing in. They pinch in and one key block (especially in the back) or missed tackle, and a long return is the result. On the KOs, it's not just the OOBs, Tiffin can't usually get it to the EZ without line-driving it. A missed line drive to the five or ten can be a disaster - even without a block in the back...

Which is exactly why I'm still optimistic that they'll greatly improve before the season is over. They're still learning, but once they "get it" they could be a very good unit IMO.