George Allen's Guide to Special Teams [Paperback]

George Herbert Allen (Author), Dick Vermeil (Author), Joseph G. Pacelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994

This book shows coaches of American football the plays, strategies, and drills they need to produce first-rate, special teams. This fully illustrated book reveals everything coaches need to know about kick-offs, kick returns, punts, punt returns, extra points, and "gadget" plays for every special teams situation. George Allen's Guide to Special Teams is entertaining as well as informative. Allen describes coaching experiences to bring his points home. He concludes each chapter with "George Allen's Best," his profiles of the best special teams players, and concludes with his version of a "Special Teams Hall of Fame." The book also features appendixes including 20 scouting charts, 8 player handouts, special teams rules, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"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

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880113707
• ISBN-13: 978-0880113700
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #608,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the novice or expert coach, June 15, 2000

By 

Jim Sutrick (Auburn, Wa. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Allen's Guide to Special Teams (Paperback)

George Allen gives an indepth look at all phases of the kicking and punting game. Full of different coaching points, schemes, ideas, and scouting charts. Very helpful for new ideas or to strengthen your current beliefs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good intro to special teams, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: George Allen's Guide to Special Teams (Paperback)

This book is a very good introduction to special teams from both a team and individual perspective. Allen was one of the first coaches to commit equal time to the practicing and coaching of special teams. Although the book covers most evryhting in great detail, it can be very elementary at times. Most good special teams units employ a multiple approach just like the offense and defense. There are shortcomings in this area but, with a little imagination, you should be able to add to the base of knowledge given here.