In an effort to increase the number of kickoff returns, while decreasing the number of player injuries, the NFL voted into existence a series of fundamental changes to the game’s kickoff rules at the league’s annual meeting on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know.
The Goal:
- Increase player safety by eliminating high-speed collisions
- Increase the number of kickoff returns and kickoff strategy
What Stays the Same?
- The field is still 100 yards (Hey OOOO – LOL)
- The kicking team will still kick from the 35-yard line
What Changes?
- Pretty much everything
- No more fair catches
- No more onside kicks until the 4th quarter, and a team must be trailing
The Kickoff:
- The kicker sets up at his own 35-yard line
- The 10 remaining members of the kicking team line up at the opponent’s 40-yard line
- The kick returners (maximum of 2) set up in an area designated as the “landing zone” – the area between the goal line and the 20-yard line
- The returning team’s blockers set up with a minimum of 9 players in an area designated as the “setup zone” – between the 30-35 yard lines
- NOBODY MOVE!
- Other than the kicker and the returners, no players may move until until the ball hits the ground or is fielded by a returner, and the kicker may not cross the 50 yard-line until the ball hits the ground or is fielded by a returner
- Any kick that is fielded in the landing zone must be returned
- Any kick that bounces into the end zone from the landing zone must either be returned or downed by the receiving team for a touchback to the 20-yard line
- Any kick that that goes out of bounds or hits short of the landing zone gives possession to the receiving team at its own 40-yard line
- Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned or can be downed for a touchback to the 30-yard line
- Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and travels out of the endzone will result in a touchback to the 30-yard line
