Playbooks
Landingzone Return Right is a kick return play designed to funnel the return man toward the right sideline behind a wall of blockers set up along that edge. The front line of blockers engages the coverage unit's first wave to spring a crease, while the return man reads the wedge blockers to decide whether to bend the run upfield or bounce it outside. The primary read progression starts with the blockers directly ahead at the point of catch, then shifts to the edge blockers sealing the right flank as the return man approaches the second level.
Read the outside coverage men on the right side first, since they determine whether the sideline lane stays open or gets squeezed. Identify if the kicking team is running a contain-heavy scheme with extra gunners on the return side, which usually shuts down this play design. Watch for a hard crash from the second level coverage defenders, since a fast trigger inside can blow up the wedge before it forms. If the coverage team overloads the middle expecting a return-middle call, this right-side path becomes far more effective because the numbers shift in the return team's favor. Track the deepest safety-type defender in coverage, since he is usually the last line and dictates whether you need to cut the run back across the field.
Catch the ball cleanly and get north quickly before committing to the right lane, since hesitation kills the blocking wall's timing.
Watch the kicking team's coverage lanes pre-snap to confirm they are not overloading the right side, which would clog this exact return path.
Use the right stick or manual juke sparingly until you clear the first level of blockers, then trust your blocking to create the alley.
Pair this with Landingzone Return Left or Landingzone Return Middle New in your return call sequence so the opponent cannot key on one direction after watching film.
On kicks that land short or squib, be ready to abandon the design and cut back if the coverage unit collapses the right lane early.