[NU Sports] End of season thoughts (fwd)

[Roy S. Lamberton]

Those who have played the game can add to this, but there is certain Kamikaze
attitude required by great special teams players. 

On the return teams, you have to dive into the on rushing defenders, and try to
influence them in a predetermined angle so your man can break loose.

On the defending teams, you are diving head long into either the wall or at the
ball carriers. As much as you'd like discipline, the great plays, the ones we
remember, are where the guy times his hit to lay out the ball carrier,
preferable right after they catch the ball.

When we coached special teams with the kids, we always talked about running your
lane until the ball carrier committed, then converge. It worked most of the
time, and we didn't get burned that much, but the good kids at returns were all
a little nutty.

Just my observations. 

You go nuts over late hits, and what could be called cheap shots, but every
special team player makes marginal late hits, and most could be considered a
cheap shot if you think about it.


Go Cats

rsl

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Roy S. Lamberton - Senior Associate
Computer Applications & Support Associates
and Publisher of Purple Reign, 
The Scout.com Northwestern University Site
(http://www.purplewildcats.com)
AIM Handle: CoachRoy74
==========================================
Upset with Alexander Hamilton's fiscal policies during George Washington's first
term, the man considered the founder of the Democratic Party, Thomas Jefferson,
started a newspaper to spread lies and rumors in an attempt to stop Hamilton. 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com 
> [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On Behalf Of Mike Nolan
> Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 8:37 PM
> To: nwu-sports at romaine.tssi.com
> Subject: Re: [NU Sports] End of season thoughts (fwd)
> 
> 
> > I agree with Eric's general sentiments about RW.  As for the 
> > comparison to
> > Beamer, I just wish that we could be half of what VaTech is 
> on special 
> > teams.  
> 
> I think most teams in college football might make the same 
> wish.  VT's emphasis on special teams is rare.  Given their 
> success on special teams I'm not sure why more teams haven't 
> take that page from their playbook.
> 
> Discipline is not a RW trademark, and that's not just on 
> special teams.  
> 
> I wonder if NU got called for more 15 yard penalties, especially 
> unsportsmanlike conduct, than any other team in the Big 10 
> this year or 
> if it just seemed like it?
> 
> OTOH, what teams come to mind when you say 'disciplined'?  I 
> can't think 
> of any.  
> --
> Mike Nolan
> 
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