Special teams in football, explained

What special teams means

Football has three units. The offense tries to move the ball and score, the defense tries to stop that, and special teams handle kicking plays. Many players who play on special teams also play on offense or defense, and special teams often give younger or newer players a chance to get on the field.

The kicking plays can feel odd to a new fan. If you want a refresher on the basics before you read on, see football rules for beginners.

The kickoff

A kickoff starts the game, starts the second half and restarts play after most scores. One team kicks the ball downfield to the other. The receiving team has a returner, who catches the ball and tries to run it back. Standard rules have a lot of detail about where players line up and what happens when the ball goes out of bounds, and many youth leagues change those rules or skip kickoffs entirely. Ask your league how it starts play.

A touchback is when the ball ends up in the end zone and the receiving team chooses not to run it out, or in some rules the play ends there. The ball is then placed at a set spot, which varies by level. You will find the term in our terms glossary.

The punt

A punt is a kick that a team makes on fourth down when it does not want to risk a failed attempt. The punter drops the ball and kicks it before it hits the ground. The goal is to make the other team start farther from the punting team's end zone. As explained in how downs work, fourth down is a key moment when the punt is the safer choice.

Like many parts of the game, punting is changed at the youth level. Some leagues remove punts, and some allow the offense to simply give the ball up. Check what your league does.

Field goals and extra points

When a team is close enough to the goal posts, it can try a field goal on fourth down. A long snapper sends the ball to the holder, who sets it on the ground, and the kicker kicks it through the uprights for three points. The same arrangement is used for extra-point kicks after a touchdown, worth one point. You can see how these add up in football scoring explained.

Who plays on special teams

At the youth level, a team may have only one or two players who kick regularly. Kicking is a specialized skill that takes practice, and coaches often try several kids before settling on someone.

Why special teams matter

Special teams can quietly change a game. A good punt can pin an opponent near its own goal line, a strong return can give a team great field position and a successful field goal can be the difference at the end. Parents sometimes overlook these plays, and they are good ones to watch, because they show what teamwork looks like.

These plays also involve running and contact in open space, so coaches stress technique and following the rules. If your child plays on special teams, ask about the rules and how coaches teach them. Our injury prevention basics offer general habits for staying safe.

Safe ways to practice kicking at home

• Practice a smooth approach and a balanced finish without kicking the ball hard.
• Work on the rhythm of the steps first, then add a soft kick.
• Catch tossed balls to practice a returner's hands and focus.
• Practice calling "fair catch" or following the coach's instructions, if your league uses it.

Warm up before kicking, stay on a safe surface and stop if something hurts. Ask your coach what to practice, because the goals differ at each level.

Common beginner mistakes

• Kicking too hard too soon, before the form is solid.
• Watching the ball instead of the catch, leading to dropped returns.
• Leaving the coverage lane early and letting a returner slip past.
• Getting a penalty for a late or improper hit. Ask your coach about the rules.

As with other positions, kids improve quickly with repetition and encouragement.

What to watch for as a parent

Special teams plays are short and fast, so it helps to know where to look. On a kickoff or punt, watch the returner first: does the player catch the ball cleanly, and does the coach call for a fair catch or a return? Then watch the coverage players, who run downfield in lanes. On a field goal, watch the line, because the blockers protect the kicker for only a moment.

A simple example: a team punts from near its own end zone, and the punt travels a good distance. The other team catches it and runs a short way before being stopped, so it starts its drive far from the goal line. The punt did its job even though nobody scored. Seeing plays this way makes the game easier to follow, and our guide on how to watch football has more tips.

What to ask your coach

• Does our league use kickoffs, punts and field goals, or does play start in a different way?
• How are special teams players chosen, and can new players try?
• What are the rules for contact on returns and coverage at this age?

Sources and further reading

1. American football: The play of the game Encyclopaedia Britannica
2. Football Terms NFL Football Operations
3. Football Rules NFHS

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Frequently asked questions

What are special teams in football?

Special teams are the units that play on kicking plays: kickoffs, punts, field goals and extra points, plus returns.

Why do teams punt on fourth down?

Punting sends the ball to the other team and makes it start farther from the punting team's end zone, which is safer than risking a failed attempt.

How many points is a field goal worth?

A field goal is worth three points in standard rules. An extra point after a touchdown is worth one.

Do youth leagues have kickoffs and punts?

Many change or remove them. Ask your league what its rules are.

Who plays on special teams?

Kickers, punters, long snappers, holders, returners and coverage players, many of whom also play offense or defense.