kickoff returner
Catches opening boots
A kickoff returner is the player positioned to catch and advance the ball after the opposing team kicks off in American football.
The role requires speed, vision, and the ability to find lanes through oncoming tacklers: He was one of the most dangerous kickoff returners in the league.
Some players specialize in returns; others handle the role alongside other positions.
Player catching kicked balls
- special teamsKick and return squads
- runbackBall carrier's advance
- fair catchUncontested punt fielding
- touchbackEndzone down, offense restarts
blockers · gunner · jammers · wedge · ball carrier · hang time · returner · specialist
Rate of motion
- agilityQuickness and ease
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- burstBreak apart suddenly
- elusivenessQuality of escaping grasp
quickness · explosiveness · sprint · juking · vision · balance · instincts · reflexes
Protective head covering
- cleatsSpiked sports shoes
- jerseyKnitted pullover garment
- padsCushioned protective layers
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
mouthguard · visor · turf · pigskin · goalpost · endzone · sideline · stadium
Seize or snag
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
- jukeDeceptive athletic sidestep
- cutSeverance or reduction
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
weave · accelerate · burst · stiff-arm · spin move · hurdle · scamper · dash
punt returner
Player catching kicked balls
- special teamsKick and return squads
- runbackBall carrier's advance
- fair catchUncontested punt fielding
touchback · blockers · gunner · jammers · wedge · ball carrier · hang time · returner · specialist · lateral
speed
Rate of motion
- agilityQuickness and ease
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- burstBreak apart suddenly
elusiveness · quickness · explosiveness · sprint · juking · vision · balance · instincts · reflexes · maneuverability
helmet
Protective head covering
gloves · mouthguard · visor · turf · pigskin · goalpost · endzone · sideline · stadium · gridiron
catch
Seize or snag
dodge · weave · accelerate · burst · stiff-arm · spin move · hurdle · scamper · dash · field
wedge formation
Triangular tactical arrangement
- laneDesignated travel strip
- setupHow something is arranged
- film studyAcademic analysis of movies
read · positioning · timing · patience · playbook · coaching · formation · execution · audible · misdirection