New Kickoff Rule in the NFL
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:01 pm
Kickoffs will look very different next year in a one-year experimental rule change designed to reduce injuries.
Teams will still kickoff from the 35 yard line. However, the other ten players on the kicking team will line up at the other team's 40 yard line. Nine or ten defensive players will line up on somewhere between their 30 and 35 yard line. The receiving team can have one or two returners between the goal line and the 20 yard line. No one besides the kicker and returners can move until the ball hits the ground or hits a defensive player past the 20 yard line. Touchbacks will be brought out to the 30 yard line, and there will be no fair catches. If a team wants to try an onside kick, it must notify the officials and the onside kick will proceed under the same rules as this year.
Other rule changes:
--The swivel hip drop tackle is illegal, with a 15-yard penalty and possible fines and/or suspensions.
--If a team is successful on either of its first two challenges, it will get a third challenge during the game.
--There will be two games played on Christmas Day (Wednesday) this season. There will also be a Black Friday game this season.
Teams will still kickoff from the 35 yard line. However, the other ten players on the kicking team will line up at the other team's 40 yard line. Nine or ten defensive players will line up on somewhere between their 30 and 35 yard line. The receiving team can have one or two returners between the goal line and the 20 yard line. No one besides the kicker and returners can move until the ball hits the ground or hits a defensive player past the 20 yard line. Touchbacks will be brought out to the 30 yard line, and there will be no fair catches. If a team wants to try an onside kick, it must notify the officials and the onside kick will proceed under the same rules as this year.
Other rule changes:
--The swivel hip drop tackle is illegal, with a 15-yard penalty and possible fines and/or suspensions.
--If a team is successful on either of its first two challenges, it will get a third challenge during the game.
--There will be two games played on Christmas Day (Wednesday) this season. There will also be a Black Friday game this season.