We were getting used to it: A thrilling kickoff drives toward the receiving team, only for it to end in a touchback, resetting the play at the 25-yard line and shortening the action.
But the new NFL season, starting tonight with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, promises fewer touchbacks and more returns as the league adopts its new “dynamic kickoff” rules. Approved by NFL owners earlier this year.
Here’s what to know.
Why the change?
In response to the high risk of injury in high-speed collisions during the game, kickoff rules were previously adjusted several times, as players on the kicking team would run and head-start before catching the ball.
In 2011, the league moved the kickoff five yards to the 35-yard line, making it easier to kick the ball deep into the end zone and leading to more touchbacks with teams starting at the 20-yard line. In 2016, touchbacks ranked teams 25th, which further motivated them. Then last season, returners could call for a reasonable catch anywhere, not just in the end zone, for a touchback, resulting in the lowest return rate in NFL history.
A dilemma arose: Injuries decreased, but kickoffs became less exciting. So the league decided to run a one-year trial A radically different system which more closely resembles the XFL style.
What are the new rules?
Standard kicks will continue to start from the 35 but the rest of the set-up looks very different, including an area known as the “landing zone” between the receiving team’s end zone and the 20-yard line. You may have seen this zone highlighted by a rectangle in preseason broadcasts.
Here’s what the kickoff setup looks like now:
- 10 players on the kicking team will line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line and may not advance until the ball hits a player or the field in the landing zone or end zone.
- A returning team may have a maximum of two returners anywhere in the landing zone, when at least nine players line up between their 30- and 35-yard lines (or “setup zone”) and at least seven players touch the 35. Only kickers and two returners may move until the ball hits the ground in the player or landing zone or end zone.
By bringing teams closer together at the start and restricting their movement, players have less space and speed for the high-force collisions that have plagued the league in the past.
Here are the main changes in touchbacks and returns:
- If the ball reaches the end zone in the air, the receiving team may return it or elect a touchback and possession at the 30.
- If the ball hits the landing zone and then goes into the end zone, the receiving team may return it or elect a touchback and possession at the 20.
- Any kick that hits the landing zone (but does not go into the end zone) must be returned.
- Any kick out of bounds or short of the landing zone puts the ball on the 40.
This can encourage teams to kick the ball farther out of the end zone, forcing returns and creating more room for exciting plays. But even though kickers can still kick the ball deep to put it on the 30, it gives the receiving team a better starting position than in previous seasons.
What do people think so far?
The new rules have sparked debate among players and fans over whether they will effectively promote returns. Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, for one, iis doubtful Because he believes possession of the 30-yard-line is still not worth the risk of giving up a long return.
After the Hall of Fame game last month, Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberfluss said That teams will have to try different things and adapt to new rules as the preseason and regular season begin.
Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce credits his brother Jason on him New Heights Podcast that he was “so against” the new rules at first but changed his mind after seeing them play out.
“I am very excited about it. I think it’s fun,” Kelce said. “It’s still electric. The guy with the ball is still hitting it as hard as he can.”
Meanwhile, fans on social media have expressed mixed reactions to the rules, with some calling them out “a joke” While others share their excitement for the new look.
So far, the preseason has seen more returns. According to the NFL70.5% of kickoffs were returned in 49 preseason games, up from 54.8% during last year’s preseason. But the average returner reached the 28-yard line, just two yards short of a 30-yard touchback, and teams may continue to change their minds about how to approach the new format.
In addition to the kickoff rules, new rules this season limit kicks to the fourth quarter and require teams to announce them ahead of time. The league also presented Prohibition of hip-drop tacklesWhich has drawn criticism from numerous players on social media.
It’s too early to gauge what kind of impact the new NFL rules will have. But all eyes will be watching, as the country turns back to its favorite sport.
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