Special team - Definition and Overview

Special teams are units in American football and Canadian football that are on the field during certain special situations.

Special teams include a kickoff team, a kick return team, a punting team, a punt return team, a field goal team and a team to defend on field goal attempts. There are specialized players on these teams, including a place kicker who handles kickoffs (and maybe another one who handles field goal attempts), a holder, a long snapper, a punter, a punt returner and a kick returner. Some players may perform different roles on different teams.

See also:

• Offensive team
• Defensive team
• American football/Glossary