Christion Jones breaks down the psychology of a punt returner, dealing with a …

TUSCALOOSA,
Alabama — Returning punts is part art, part science.

Alabama's
Christion Jones has a good feel for both sides of it. He's returned one for a
touchdown this season and has two career kickoff return scores. His 12.5-yard
punt return average tops the SEC and is 17th in the country.

Jones
took time Wednesday explaining how this whole thing works.

Each
week involves practicing all the different kinds of punts they could see. Film
study reveals the styles and directional tendencies of opposing punters.

At
Kentucky last week, Jones picked up a bouncing punt to return it 30 yards and
set up a touchdown. That is practiced as well.

"You
get a feel for it," Jones said. "Once you get enough feel for it in practice,
you kind of know when you take it and when you don't."

Having
some experience and credentials helps with his confidence and ability to take a
few more chances with such bouncing balls.

"Oh
yeah, you get a lot of trust with the coach so I think I built a lot with coach (Nick) Saban so I think he gives me a lot of leeway because he trusts I'll make the
right decision," Jones said.

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