The fake punt is something every youth football coach should have in the playbook. You shouldhave one. Two is better. Three is too many.
Let’s first look at the math.
Your average youth punter isn’t going to kick the ball 60 yards in the air, minus a10-yard deep alignment andthe return to net 35 yards. Youth punterswillprobably kick the ball 15 to30 yards (if you get a good bounce) past the line of scrimmage. The net punt will probably be in the 10- to 20-yard range.
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Your punterwill kickthe ball to the opponent’s deep returner, that team’s best in-space player. That'sexactly what your opponent wants you to do.
There are other variables to deal with: the deep snap, blocking the rush, weather, field position, distance for the first down and getting the ball off in time.
Does that mean you should never punt? Not at all. You want to develop your players’ skills, and that includes punting, deep snapping, blocking, covering and tackling in space. Plus, if you never punt, no one will ever fall for the second-best play in youth football, the fake punt.
The situation
You're on your own 40-yard line, it’s fourth down-and-4 and a 15 mph wind is in your face. The other team has the best back in the leagueto return the punt. The returner is wetting his fingertips and looking into the crowd to make sure grandma is watching, because he thinks he'sgoing to score a touchdown.
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Despite your best efforts, your teamaveragesa 15-yard net punt, and the last onealmost got returned for a score. Is 15 yards really worth the risk of having the punt blocked or returned for a TD?
Maybe you fake it, get a couple of yards or even a first down.
Some coaches have a four-down philosophy and just goto go for it no matter what on fourth down. But when you do that, the defense knows you're going for it and aligns accordingly.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to have at least one less defender (possibly more) near the line of scrimmage because apunt is probable?
The plays
There are manyfake punt options. We like a short snap to theupback blocker, with the punter faking like the ball wassnapped over theirhead. Nothing fancy, nothing new, just base or wedge blocked up the middle.
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Another fake punt play is a short outlet pass to one of the upbacks. You know your players and what they can and can’t do. Design something that works for you, or just adapt one of your base plays to the punt formation.
In any season, you'll eventually havea situation where the fake punt isyour best option. If you’ve punted earlier in the season and your opponent knows you can punt, the fake needs to be in your arsenal.
Dave Cisar is the founder and president of winningyouthfootball.com. He has spoken at coaches clinics worldwide, was named the No. 4 Most Influential Coach in the Hudl Top 100, and has authored several award-winning youth football books.
This is anupdated version of a blog that originally published April 19, 2017.
