Teams
Forum List
Toggle sidebar

New NFL kickoff rules

P

Pope

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Feb 7, 2015
12,637
29,209
113
My apologies if there's another thread on this topic, but I didn't see one.

I'm watching the Pittsburgh/Texas preseason game right now and the new NFL kickoff rules are wild.

The kicker must kick from his own 35, but the other 10 players must line up on the opponent's 40. The receiving team must line up on their own 35.

The kick must land in the landing zone (goal line to the 20). If the kick falls short of the landing zone, the receiving team gets the ball at their own 40. If the ball is kicked out of the end zone, the receiving team gets the ball at their own 30. I don't believe a fair catch is allowed, but I'm not sure on that.

The kicking team cannot move down field until after the ball is touched by the receiving team. Goodbye inside kicks.

I'm sure all the teams are coming up with their own strategies for both sides of the ball on kickoffs.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: StClone, Cy4Lifer and cyfanatic
Pope said:
My apologies if there's another thread on this topic, but I didn't see one.

I'm watching the Pittsburgh/Texas preseason game right now and the new NFL kickoff rules are wild.

The kicker must kick from his own 35, but the other 10 players must line up on the opponent's 40. The receiving team must line up on their own 35.

The kick must land in the landing zone (goal line to the 20). If the kick falls short of the landing zone, the receiving team gets the ball at their own 40. If the ball is kicked out of the end zone, the receiving team gets the ball at their own 30. I don't believe a fair catch is allowed, but I'm not sure on that.

The kicking team cannot move down field until after the ball is touched by the receiving team. Goodbye inside kicks.

I'm sure all the teams are coming up with their own strategies for both sides of the ball on kickoffs.
Click to expand...

There are special circumstances in play for onside kicks...you have to declare if you are attempting an onside kick but not sure how it impacts the attempt.
 
cyfanatic said:
There are special circumstances in play for onside kicks...you have to declare if you are attempting an onside kick but not sure how it impacts the attempt.
Click to expand...
Only in the 4th quarter and only if the kicking team is behind too.
 
Iirc this was borrowed from one of the spring leagues.

People will get upset because they'll miss the touchbacks but they'll get over it eventually.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JimmyChitwood
I saw it (without knowing the new rule) in the first pre-season game and thought WTF? Banning kickoffs altogether would make more sense - since it is a safety issue.
 
cyfanatic said:
There are special circumstances in play for onside kicks...you have to declare if you are attempting an onside kick but not sure how it impacts the attempt.
Click to expand...

I don't like that new ruling at all. Think it can only be in 4th quarter too.
 
With all of the concern over safety, it's probably just a matter of time before the new kickoff is adopted by the college and high school levels.
 
It looks and feels different, but at least it's an attempt to replace the ceremonial touchback that kickoffs are now.

I do think it'll be interesting once we get into the the regular season as I'm betting most teams will not be showing their hand with any special ideas they've had or been working on during preseason.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: BigJCy
Sousaclone said:
It looks and feels different, but at least it's an attempt to replace the ceremonial touchback that kickoffs are now.

I do think it'll be interesting once we get into the the regular season as I'm betting most teams will not be showing their hand with any special ideas they've had or been working on during preseason.
Click to expand...
Yeah, nothing like lining up for the kickoff, having the kicker boom his foot into it, and watching the return team slowly walking off the field before the ball even hits the ground. Now that’s action!
 
  • Like
Reactions: CYISFLY
Hoggins said:
It’s the same as the 35 yard extra point. Give it a couple years and it’ll be normal. I’d rather see this experiment than endless touchbacks.
Click to expand...
At least this way it’s not Score. Commercial. Touchback. Commercial. Play on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Help Support Us

Become a patron
Top Bottom