Special Teams in the NFL: Coverage Units, Returners and Specialists

By 4Football Staff · October 28, 2026 · 10 min read

Kicks, punts and field goals make up a third phase of the game. Learn the units, the jobs inside each one, who the specialists are, and why field position gets won here.

Most of a football broadcast is about offense and defense, yet every game includes a third phase that quietly swings field position, scoring chances and sometimes the final result. Kickoffs, punts, field goals and extra points all belong to special teams, and the units that handle them are among the most specialized in the sport.

If you have ever wondered what the player standing alone deep behind the formation is doing, why two players are split out near the sideline on a punt, or why a backup linebacker can keep a roster spot because of his tackling on kickoffs, this guide is for you. It covers the National Football League (NFL) version of special teams: the units, the individual jobs, the specialists, and the reasons the phase matters.

What special teams are

A special teams play is any play that is not a scrimmage down by the offense or defense in the usual sense. The four main types are:

1. Kickoffs, which start each half, start overtime, and restart play after a score.
2. Punts, usually a fourth-down kick that sends the ball to the opponent.
3. Field goals, a placekick attempted to score three points, and extra points, the kick after a touchdown.
4. Free kicks after a safety, which restart play after a team scores two points on defense.

Each type has two sides: the team kicking and the team receiving. That means each type produces two units, so a team needs a kickoff unit, a kickoff return unit, a punt unit, a punt return unit, a field goal unit and a field goal block unit. The number of distinct jobs adds up quickly, which is why a coaching staff includes a coordinator whose entire responsibility is special teams.

The kicking team units

The kickoff unit

On a kickoff, the kicking team lines up to cover the kick. One player kicks the ball, and ten others act as coverage players, running downfield to tackle the returner or contain him. Their job is to keep the return short. Because the players run in lanes, a good coverage unit looks like a wave spreading across the field.

The rules governing kickoffs have been revised repeatedly in recent years, with the league adjusting where players line up, how far they may run before the kick, and where the ball is placed after a touchback. The league has said that kickoffs have been a disproportionate source of concussions, and that concern drove many of the changes. Because the format has changed more than once, check the current rulebook for the present alignment. Our article on kickoff rules and how they have changed tracks the details.

The punt unit

A punt unit has eleven players, and the arrangement is distinctive.

• The long snapper sends the ball to the punter on a precise, fast snap.
• The punter stands several yards behind the line and kicks the ball.
• The personal protector, sometimes called the upback, stands between the snapper and the punter and acts as the last line of defense against a rusher who gets through.
• The interior protectors form a wall in front of the punter. They are often linemen, tight ends or backs with blocking skills.
• The gunners line up wide, near the sidelines, and sprint down the field as soon as the ball is kicked. They are the players tasked with getting to the returner first.

The rules require several players on the line of scrimmage at the snap, and only players at the ends of the line are free to run downfield before the kick. The others must stay and block until the ball is kicked, which is why the gunners, positioned at the ends, are the ones who race ahead. Gunners often face double teams from the opponent, and beating them is a specialized skill.

The field goal and extra point unit

These kicks have a different shape from a punt. The snapper sends the ball to a holder who places it on the ground for the kicker. A line of blockers protects the area, from the interior linemen to the outside "wings" who guard the edges. The whole sequence, from snap to kick, takes only a couple of seconds. Timing is everything: the snap, hold and kick must be in rhythm, or the kick can be blocked or pushed off line.

The extra point is a kick after a touchdown. In the NFL it is snapped from a spot that makes the attempt a rather long kick, a distance set in a rule change that moved the line of scrimmage back. A team can also choose a two-point attempt, which is an ordinary scrimmage play from a short distance; our guide to the two-point conversion covers it.

The receiving team units

The kickoff return unit

The receiving team positions blockers and a returner to catch the kick and run it back. Blocking schemes group players to create lanes, and the returner chooses a path after the ball is caught. If the returner lets a kick go into the end zone or kneels, the result is a touchback, and the ball is placed at a spot defined by the rules. Because the placement of that spot has been revised over the years, the decision of whether to run the kick out or take the touchback depends on the current rule. Our look at kickoff return schemes goes deeper on how teams block.

The punt return unit

A punt return team has two goals that sometimes conflict: set up a return, or pressure and perhaps block the punt. The structure usually includes:

• A returner who catches the punt. He must decide quickly whether to field it, call for a fair catch by waving his hand, or let it go.
• Jammers, often called the vice players, who line up across from the gunners and try to slow them down before they can reach the returner.
• Blockers who form a wall or lanes for the return.
• Rushers who attack the punter if the team is trying to block the kick or pressure it.

The returner's decision to fair catch is central. A fair catch means the returner cannot run with the ball and the defense cannot tackle him, so the play ends at the catch spot. It gives up yards but protects the returner from a hit when defenders are close. Rules on fair catches vary by level, so check the rulebook for the level you follow.

The field goal block unit

The defensive side of a field goal tries to disrupt the kick. Some players push through the line to get a hand on the ball, while others set up to return a blocked or missed kick. A blocked kick that is returned for a score is one of the rare big plays in the phase. Teams study the opponent's protection and look for a weak spot to attack.

The specialists

Some players spend almost their entire careers on special teams. They are the specialists, and their roles are narrow and highly technical. Each has a full profile in our position series.

A few notes on these roles.

• Kickers and punters are often separate players, although some teams have used one player to do both jobs, and the skills overlap. Each requires its own technique.
• The holder is frequently a punter or a backup at another position, since the job requires reliable hands and a feel for the timing.
• The long snapper rarely appears in the news unless something goes wrong, and that is by design. A clean snap is invisible.
• Returners are often players who also have a role on offense or defense. Speed, vision and ball security all matter, and the willingness to field a punt with defenders closing in is a skill of its own.

The core special teamers

Beyond the specialists, a large share of special teams work is done by players whose main positions are elsewhere. Backup linebackers, safeties, cornerbacks, running backs and tight ends fill many of the coverage and blocking spots. Coaches call the most committed of them core special teamers, and some are known as special teams aces.

Their value is easy to see in a roster-building context. A team has a limited number of active players on game day, and the final spots often go to players who can contribute on several units. A reserve who is not likely to play much on offense or defense can still earn a place by tackling on kickoffs, blocking on punts or covering as a gunner. For many players, special teams is the way onto a roster, and a way to show coaches that they deserve a bigger role. Our article on roster cut-downs and the gamble of the 53rd man shows how those decisions play out.

Why special teams matter

It is easy to overlook special teams because the plays are fewer and shorter than on offense and defense. But the phase affects the game in several ways.

Field position

Every kick sets the next drive's starting point. A coverage unit that stops a return at the 20-yard line forces the offense to cover more ground. A punt that travels far and is not returned flips the field. Imagine two teams trading punts, and one consistently gains ten extra yards of field position from its coverage. Over a game, that team's offense starts closer to the end zone and the opponent starts farther away. These small differences add up.

Hypothetically, a punter who kicks the ball 45 yards but allows a 15-yard return has netted 30 yards. Another who kicks it 40 yards and stops the returner has netted 40. The shorter punt wins. That kind of arithmetic is why coaches and analysts care about net results, not just raw distance.

Scoring

Field goals and extra points provide a share of every team's points. Close games are often decided by a kick, and the kicker's accuracy within a certain range can determine whether a team pursues a field goal or goes for it on fourth down. Return touchdowns and blocked kicks are rarer but can change a game in an instant.

Momentum, turnovers and mistakes

Special teams plays can produce turnovers, such as a muffed punt or a fumbled kickoff. Penalties on special teams can also push a team back. The phase has little room for error because each play has a small number of moving parts and a high degree of coordination.

How to watch special teams

Once you know the pieces, you can watch the phase with more interest. Here are a few things to look for.

1. The gunners on a punt. See whether the opposing team double-teams them, and whether they reach the returner in time.
2. The returner's decision. Does he field the ball, call a fair catch or let it bounce? Each choice reveals how the team sees the field position battle.
3. The coverage lanes on a kickoff. Good units stay in their assigned lanes; breakdowns lead to big returns.
4. The snap-hold-kick rhythm. On a field goal, watch how smoothly the sequence moves.
5. The personnel. Notice which players run onto the field for special teams. They are often the ones you do not see on offense or defense.

For numbers on individual players, browse the leaders page and the players pages.

Special teams at other levels

The structure is the same at every level, but the details differ.

• College football has its own rules for kickoffs, fair catches and the way the game is restarted, and some of those rules differ from the NFL's. College teams also have special teams coordinators and use many of the same units.
• High school football uses its state association's rules. Specialists are less common, and many starters play on multiple units. A good kicker or punter can be a big advantage because they are rare.
• Youth football often modifies or limits kicking plays. Some leagues remove kickoffs, restrict punts or alter coverage rules, partly for safety and partly because few players can kick well. Check the league handbook.

Because rules differ, if you coach, play or officiate at a given level, always use that level's rulebook as the authority. Our Play section is a good starting point for recreational football.

Common misconceptions

"Special teams is a break in the action." Each play is as much a part of the game as a scrimmage down. It can score points, turn the ball over and change field position.

"Only kickers and punters play on special teams." The units involve many players from all over the roster, and the specialists are only a handful.

"The long snapper just hikes the ball." The job requires precision, speed and also blocking after the snap, and a bad snap can ruin a kick.

"A punt is just a way to give up the ball." A well-placed punt can pin an opponent deep in its own territory. Teams plan their punts, including direction and hang time, as part of the strategy, as explained in our look at the punter's role.

The short version

• Special teams cover kickoffs, punts, field goals, extra points and free kicks after a safety.
• Each type has a kicking unit and a receiving unit, so a team needs several distinct units.
• Key jobs include the kicker, punter, long snapper, holder, returner, gunners and the personal protector.
• Core special teamers are backups at other positions who earn roster spots through their work on these units.
• Special teams matter because they shift field position, produce points and can turn the ball over.
• Kickoff rules have changed several times, so confirm the current alignment in the rulebook.
• Rules and structure vary by level; use the rulebook for your own level of football.