George Allen's Guide to Special Teams [Paperback]

Make your special teams first-rate—use the expertise of the father of special teams!

In 1968, George Allen was the first coach in history to hire a full-time special teams coach. Since then his approach to special teams has added a new dimension to football that has affected the game at every level.

Learn the secrets to a successful kicking game and more!

This unprecedented book shows you the plays, strategies, and drills you need to produce first-rate special teams. George Allen's Guide to Special Teams reveals everything coaches need to know about

• kickoffs,

• kick returns,

• punts,

• punt returns,

• punt prevents,

• extra points,

• field goal defense, and

• "gadget" plays for every special teams situation.

Be entertained as well as informed!

The authors vividly describe many coaching experiences to bring points home. Allen also profiles special teams players that he deems the best and concludes the book with his own "Special Teams Hall of Fame."

No matter what level you coach, George Allen's Guide to Special Teams is one of the best additions you can make to your coaching library.

"To my knowledge there has never been a more thorough or comprehensive book on the kicking game than this. I was impressed with many things in the book, but I was particularly delighted with its coaching points. George not only tells you what to do but how to do it. It is a book I will not only use now but will refer to quite often during the remainder of my coaching career."

Lou Holtz Former Head Football Coach University of Notre Dame

"Nobody is more qualified to write about special teams than George Allen. His influence has not only changed the concept of professional football, but has carried down through the collegiate and high school levels to the little leagues. No coach at any level can afford to be without this book if he wants to win."

Bill Walsh Former Head Coach San Francisco 49ers

"Improvement in special teams play has been dramatic since 1966. After George Allen hired Dick Vermeil as the first special teams coach, people began to realize what an important factor the teams can be in winning games. The coach who has Allen's new book handy is a step ahead of the competition whether he's coaching professional, college, high school, or Pop Warner teams. It's interesting to read, but more importantly, the book is crammed full of important information."

Tom Landry Former Head Coach Dallas Cowboys

George Allen was a head coach in the NFL and the USFL for 14 years. In both leagues took unsuccessful teams and turned them around. During his pro football career his teams never placed lower than third in their divisions. He is the only coach to take four different teams to the playoffs, including one to the Super Bowl and one to the Championship Game. He won 70.5% of his games—the highest percentage of anyone who has coached more than 10 years in the pros.

A leading football innovator, Allen hired the first special teams coach, was the first to develop situation substitution, and introduced weight training for football in 1948 while at Morningside College. Allen has also been an innovator off the field—he wrote the best-selling Encyclopedia of Football Drills in 1951 and initiated the first drug education program for athletes in 1966.

In addition, he chaired the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from 1981 to 1988, developed the Soviet Youth Fitness Test Exchange Program, and is now chairman of the National Fitness Foundation.

Allen and his wife of 28 years, Etty, have four grown children. He enjoys 5- and 10K races, mini-triathlons, marathons, bikeathons, swimming, and weightlifting in his leisure time.

Joseph G. Pacelli is the author of Building Your High School Football Program: In Pursuit of Excellence. He coached football for 12 years at the junior high, high school, and college levels. Joe is a sport consultant to the Big Bear High School football program in Big Bear City, CA.