Nothing is new in the world of football schematics. Everything is cribbed, lifted or jacked from a colleague or a mentor in the coaching world. It’s not nefarious, but the sport is a breeding ground for copycats. So when USC scored on this punt return that fooled basically everyone...
USC’s decoy punt return TD vs. UCLA was yet another in a line of special teams savagery throughout recent football history
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
... it shouldn’t surprise you to know that the it’s not new.
Basically what happens here is the punt return team all flows to one side of the field while the actual returner sneaks all by himself to where the punt is actually going. The punting team never sees it coming.
Back in 2011, the Chicago Bears ran it to perfection, but the TD was nullified by a flag.
Utah’s run the play...
... as have the then-St. Louis Rams.
The Rams pulled it off against the Seahawks, and then Seattle weaponized it for themselves.
The seeds get sewn through film study.
You can’t just guess where the football will go on the fly. You have to know where to send the decoy and the actual returner beforehand, and to do that, you have to scout the opposing punters. This is a testament to how much more complex football is than you might think: Right now, somewhere in America, somebody is watching film on their upcoming opponent’s punter, hoping to find something they can exploit.
If the opposing punter is consistent enough, you can use that trait against them. His teammates will still follow the returner rather than assuming the other team is using the punter’s consistency against him.
This is how preperation meets execution and beautiful special teams music is made. USC didn’t invent it, but they certainly made imitation game look good.
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