Special teams aren’t just a sidekick—they’re game-changers. Coaches Garrett Clawson (Michigan), Matt Moran (James Madison), and Dennis Long (Monmouth) share battle-tested insights at Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, showing how special teams can shift field position, swing momentum, and seal wins. Here’s how they do it, with strategies you can steal to dominate the third phase.
Garrett Clawson: Explosives with a Purpose (Michigan)
At Michigan, Garrett Clawson treats special teams as a mindset, not just a playbook. Breaking down nearly 300 FBS plays with 20-yard punt returns, he spots a clear pattern: big plays reshape field position, but they don’t always win games. Timing and follow-up execution are what seal the deal.
“Special teams are about winning those hidden battles,” Clawson says.
He pinpoints breakdowns—like fumbled catches or missed assignments—as the real culprits behind failed punt returns, not bad schemes. His fix? Drill fundamentals and play fast. Clawson also drops a stat that grabs attention: “Teams with a successful fake won 70% of their games last year.”
Michigan’s back-to-back seasons without a blocked punt? That’s no fluke. Clawson credits tight operation times, hand-eye drills, and firing up specialists emotionally.
Matt Moran: Punting as Raw Athleticism (James Madison)
Matt Moran, JMU’s Senior Special Teams Analyst, sees punters as athletes, not robots. “Punting’s like hitting a baseball, not a golf swing,” he says. Great punters are often multisport stars with explosive, long-levered frames.
Moran’s work with NFL punter Jake Bailey shows how he builds elite specialists. It’s all about biomechanics: catch, mold, drop. Using jugs machines and video, he eliminates tells, smooths transitions, and maximizes leverage for consistent punts.
“Confidence comes from grinding reps every day,” Moran says.
He obsesses over details—eye level, grip tweaks for different balls—turning punting into a finely tuned skill through layered drills.
Video: The Best Way to Find a Specialist
Dennis Long: Snappers as Leaders (Monmouth)
At Monmouth, Dennis Long doesn’t just coach long snappers—he molds leaders. “Our snapper is the anchor of our specialist crew,” he says.
Long’s “one-shot, one-kill” mentality drives his teaching. Snappers get no do-overs, so he drills game-like scenarios: snap, finish, recoil, and, if needed, slide to block. His “pyramid drill” uses cones to sharpen accuracy, recoil, and eye-up timing.
But it’s not just mechanics. Long pushes snappers to evolve into true football players—ready to protect, recover, and lead. “The real game is the six inches between their ears,” he says. Execution under pressure is everything.
Why It Matters
Clawson’s focus on explosive momentum, Moran’s athletic punting approach, and Long’s leadership-driven snapping prove special teams are about more than technique. They’re about mastering details to tilt games in your favor. Want better field position, sharper momentum, and more wins? Start here.
These insights come from Lauren’s First and Goal Clinic, bundled to help you dominate special teams while supporting pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services.
Bundle: Win the Third Phase – Coach the Specialists
