What is Special Teams in Football
Special teams is the collective term for the units in football that take the field during kicking plays — including kickoffs, punts, field goals, extra points, and their returns — and is considered the third phase of the game alongside offense and defense.
Special teams refers to all units in football that take the field during kicking plays — kickoffs, punts, field goals, extra points, and their returns. It is considered the third phase of the game alongside offense and defense. While often overlooked by casual fans, special teams can dramatically alter field position, momentum, and score — and elite special teams units are a consistent characteristic of championship-winning football teams.
The Special Teams Units
Kickoff Unit
After a touchdown, field goal, or at the start of each half, the kicking team kicks the ball from their own 35-yard line (NFL). The kicking team attempts to limit return yardage while the kick return unit tries to advance the ball as far upfield as possible.
A touchback occurs when the ball is kicked into or through the end zone — the receiving team may decline the return and start at their own 25-yard line (NFL). Many kickers aim for touchbacks intentionally.
Punt Unit
When the offense fails to convert a first down and faces fourth down, they typically punt — a kick designed to flip field position by driving the opponent as deep into their own territory as possible. The gunners (coverage players) sprint downfield to tackle the returner.
The hang time of the punt matters as much as distance — a high, long punt gives coverage players time to reach the returner. Downing a punt inside the opponent's 20-yard line (a "pin inside the 20") is a major special teams win.
Punt Return Unit
The team receiving a punt attempts to advance the ball. A player can signal for a fair catch (no return, no contact allowed), or run the ball back. A fake punt — pretending to kick and instead running or passing — can catch the opponent completely off-guard.
Field Goal / Extra Point Unit
The placekicker attempts to kick the ball through the uprights for:
- A field goal (3 points) on any down (typically fourth down)
- An extra point (1 point) after a touchdown
The long snapper (a specialized center) snaps the ball to the holder, who places it for the kicker. Any miscommunication between these three players can result in a blocked or missed attempt.
Field Goal / PAT Block Unit
The opponent's defense attempts to block the kick by breaking through the line. A blocked field goal or extra point returned for a touchdown is a rare but game-changing play.
Kick Return Unit
Returns the kickoff. A great kick returner can flip field position dramatically — starting a drive at the 40- or 50-yard line instead of the 25. The rarest and most exciting play on kickoffs is the kickoff return touchdown.
Onside Kick Unit
A short, deliberately kicked ball that the kicking team attempts to recover. Teams trailing in the final minutes may attempt an onside kick to regain possession. Success rate is typically 10–20%.
Why Special Teams Matters
Special teams affects field position — where each team starts its offensive drives. The value of field position is enormous:
- A team consistently starting at its own 35 vs. its own 20 will score significantly more over the course of a game
- A punt pinned inside the 5-yard line puts the opponent in a nearly inescapable hole
- A kickoff return to the 40+ gives the offense an immediate big-play opportunity
Special teams also directly scores points — touchdowns on returns and blocked kicks, plus all field goals and extra points.
Special Teams in the Analytics Era
Modern football analytics have assigned precise values to field position through Expected Points Added (EPA) modeling. Special teams plays have measurable EPA value — a 20-yard punt return to the 45 contributes meaningfully to the team's expected scoring. Studies consistently show that elite special teams units — particularly in punting, coverage, and return games — add the equivalent of several wins per season.
Key Special Teams Personnel
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Kicker (K) | Kickoffs, field goals, extra points |
| Punter (P) | Punts; sometimes direct-snaps on fake punts |
| Long Snapper (LS) | Centers snaps on punts, field goals, and extra points |
| Holder | Catches snap and spots ball for field goals/PATs |
| Kick/punt returner | Returns kicks and punts |
| Gunners | Coverage players who race downfield on punts and kickoffs |
| Jammers | Block gunners to open return lanes |
Famous Special Teams Moments
- Desmond Howard, Super Bowl XXXI — 99-yard kickoff return TD; won Super Bowl MVP as a kick returner
- Leon Washington — Multiple kickoff return touchdowns in a single season
- The "Minneapolis Miracle" setup — Special teams field position in playoff games often sets up iconic offensive plays
- 2019 AFC Championship — Patriots' special teams play is considered among the most disciplined in modern NFL history