Wedge return

In American football, “wedge return” refers to a particular kickoff return strategy. This tactic comprises a group of blockers forming a wedge or wall to provide a passage for the kick returner to run through. While reducing the likelihood of the opposition team making a tackle on the returner, the goal is to provide the returner with protection and clean pathways so that they can advance the ball up the field.

The following is the usual operation of a wedge return:

Position: The blockers on the returning team, who are typically the up-backs and some of the larger, more physically capable players, form a tight wedge shape in front of the man who is returning the kick. They stand shoulder to shoulder and form a human wall by aligning themselves in this manner.

Kick Returner: The designated kick returner will position themselves right below the wedge, ready to receive the kick. They are primarily responsible for following the wedge and making the most of the lanes it generates along their journey.

Timing and synchronization are two of the most important factors to consider when carrying out a wedge return. Maintaining the integrity of the wedge formation requires the wedge blockers to collaborate to move in harmony and keep the formation intact.

During the kickoff, the kick returner is responsible for catching the ball and advancing across the field while following the wedge. The wedge blockers protect the returners from the opposing team players who are attempting to tackle them by keeping their bodies in the way.

A few examples of wedge returns that have occurred in NFL and NCAA games are as follows:

Let’s say the New England Patriots are the team receiving the kickoff against the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League. Combined with several large offensive linemen and fullbacks, the Patriots’ special teams squad creates a wedge-shaped formation. The player responsible for returning kicks catches the ball and then begins to run up the field behind the wedge, which is moving as a coherent unit. Since the wedge provides protection, the returner can gain many yards before contacting tacklers.

An example from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): The Alabama Crimson Tide are now receiving a kickoff in a college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Blockers on the Crimson Tide’s special teams unit form a tight wedge in front of the kick returner as part of the wedge return tactic that the Crimson Tide deploys. Using the blockers’ protection, the returner can advance the ball and potentially break through the opposing defence, resulting in a significant return. The returner catches the ball and then follows the wedge up the field.

Wedge returns are a strategy that can be useful for establishing field position; however, in recent years, they have been less popular due to rule changes that focus on avoiding high-speed collisions on kickoffs to ensure players’ safety. Wedge blockers are now able to take a shorter running start as a result of these regulation changes, which makes it more difficult to implement this approach effectively.