NFL approves new kickoff rule

[Woodman]

NFL approves new kickoff rule - NBC Sports

In one of the most significant rule changes in NFL history, league owners voted today to fundamentally change the kickoff.

In a vote at the annual league meeting, the NFL has adopted a low-impact kickoff, modeled on what has previously been used in the XFL, that the league believes will increase the number of returns while decreasing the number of injuries.

Fans will notice major changes immediately, starting with the first play of every game: Kickoffs will not look the same this year.

Under the new rule, 10 players on the kicking team and at least nine players on the receiving team will line up just five yards apart and won’t begin running until the ball gets back to the returner, meaning players won’t be going full speed when they crash into each other, which caused so many injuries on kickoffs in years past. Of the 22 players on the field, only the kicker and one or two kickoff returners will line up separately from those players who are five yards apart.

[OpIv37]

Why even have the kickoff anymore? Just give the “receiving” team the ball at the 25 like a touchback and be done with that.

[sukie]

Seems to me non fair caught punts are far more dangerous than a kickoff.

[Bill Cody]

Why even have the kickoff anymore? Just give the “receiving” team the ball at the 25 like a touchback and be done with that.

Because that's boring?

[Bill Cody]

Seems to me non fair caught punts are far more dangerous than a kickoff.

not really. Nobody gets jammed at the line on a kickoff. Until now.

[notacon]

I did not watch the USFL where apparently they used a variation of this new kickoff rule.

This sure looks like it will turn the kickoff into a play worth watching.

Going to be very interesting to see how the whole strategy for kickoffs is going to be completely upended. I think it's brilliant to require that the 19 players on the line only five yard apart, on the receiving teams side of the 50, can only move after the ball is caught or hits the ground with substantial penalties (with ball placement) in not precisely kicking the ball within 20 yards of the goal line.

This gives a fast returner a HUGE advantage. The down side is (after multiple returns for TD's) many teams may take the ball being placed on the opposing team's 30 yard line over risking the big return.

[Historian]

Next up: Two hand touch for quarterbacks!

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

Next up: Two hand touch for quarterbacks!

That's sexist

[Turf]

So now what's the onside kick rule? Will they allow them to go back to the old style where they could run up to the ball? How about this fair catch nonsense, is that still in effect?

[T&C]

So now what's the onside kick rule? Will they allow them to go back to the old style where they could run up to the ball? How about this fair catch nonsense, is that still in effect?

[Turf]

I think this rule will have a larger effect on the game than people realize. You could easily get one score per game coming from kickoffs. And if someone masters it, even more. Nice video above. Does anyone know if you can fair catch it or is that out?

[T&C]

I think this rule will have a larger effect on the game than people realize. You could easily get one score per game coming from kickoffs. And if someone masters it, even more. Nice video above. Does anyone know if you can fair catch it or is that out?

Any kick that hits before crossing the receiving team's 20-yard line will be spotted at the receiving team's 40 (as it is for a kickoff that goes out of bounds).Any kick placed in the landing zone must be returned.

Any kick that hits in the landing zone and goes into the end zone must be returned or downed by the receiving team. The latter move would result in a touchback to the 20-yard line.A kick that hits in the end zone and stays inbounds could be returned or downed.

If downed, the ball will be spotted at the 35-yard line. A kick that goes out the back of the end zone will result in a touchback to the 35-yard line.

No fair catch or signal is allowed (unlike punt returns).

After the fourth quarter begins, a trailing team will have the opportunity to declare an onside kick under 2023 rules. If an onside kick goes beyond the setup zone untouched, a penalty will occur and the ball will be placed at the kicking team's 20-yard line for the receiving team to begin the next possession.

For free kicks that follow a safety, the ball will be kicked from the 20-yard line, and the kicker will have an option to use a tee. The setup zone and landing zone will not change.

[sukie]

I was also wondering that. Does the clock always start? If so ya can’t pull off a 13 seconds

[mightysimi]

I think this rule will have a larger effect on the game than people realize. You could easily get one score per game coming from kickoffs. And if someone masters it, even more. Nice video above. Does anyone know if you can fair catch it or is that out?

No fair catching. Either advance the ball or take a knee

[Ingtar33]

I was also wondering that. Does the clock always start? If so ya can’t pull off a 13 seconds

correct. if they can't fair catch then 13 seconds would have been impossible (in theory), that said I'm not sure the bills would have kicked it off to tyreek hill either. probably would have put the ball through the endzone rather then risk a kickoff return. oddly the math sorta flips with this style kickoff, I wouldn't be surprised if most NFL teams chose to simply boot it into the endzone if the risk of a return goes up with these new rules

[jamze132]

Why even have the kickoff anymore? Just give the “receiving” team the ball at the 25 like a touchback and be done with that.

Special teams is still a part of football and I don’t think the league is ready to kill it yet…but it is trending that way.

[Bill Cody]

Next up: Two hand touch for quarterbacks!

That makes no sense. This change means more contact not less. Kickoffs now are one team sprinting down and doing.....nothing as the ball sails out of the end zone. Or taking a fair catch. If anything the present system is fairy football.

[Bill Cody]

correct. if they can't fair catch then 13 seconds would have been impossible (in theory), that said I'm not sure the bills would have kicked it off to tyreek hill either. probably would have put the ball through the endzone rather then risk a kickoff return. oddly the math sorta flips with this style kickoff, I wouldn't be surprised if most NFL teams chose to simply boot it into the endzone if the risk of a return goes up with these new rules

That isn't going to be easy. They're kicking from the 20 yard line now. How many kickers can kick it more than 80 yards?

[mightysimi]

That isn't going to be easy. They're kicking from the 20 yard line now. How many kickers can kick it more than 80 yards?

Not true, the kicker is still on the 35.

[Mad Max]

That makes no sense. This change means more contact not less. Kickoffs now are one team sprinting down and doing.....nothing as the ball sails out of the end zone. Or taking a fair catch. If anything the present system is fairy football.

exactly. It was something like 22% of kicks were returned. So this rule is going to force action not reduce it.

at the same time it will reduce injuries as guys won’t be getting massive momentum built up before contact

i think this rule will stick