Over the past decade, as new player safety rules have been put into place, the kickoff has become deemphasized in the NFL. With it being one of the most dangerous players in the game featuring higher concussion rates than scrimmage plays, teams were incentivized to simply kick and take touchbacks rather than set up an actual return.
A new NFL kickoff rule – introduced by the league this offseason – hopes to change that. The new rule was passed by a vote of league owners on Tuesday, will get a trial run in 2024 and then be up for renewal a year from now, deciding its fate moving forward.
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The new rule is borrowed from the rule the XFL has used the last few years. Slight tweaks were made, but the general idea remains the same.
How the players line up for the kick is the key change. The kicker remains back at his own 35-yard line, as has been the case since 2011 when the spot was moved up from the 30. However, the rest of the coverage team lines up 25 yards in front, at the opponent’s 40-yard line.
As for the return team, a minimum of nine players line up in between the 30 and 35-yard lines, creating a five to 10 yard cushion. Then one or two returners are deep.
Here’s a refresher on the NFL’s new kickoff rule… pic.twitter.com/IsZxF2e2BH
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) March 26, 2024
Kickers are encouraged to kick the ball in play, between the 20-yard line and goal line – an area called the ‘landing zone.’ Any ball kicked directly into the end zone and returned comes out to the 35-yard line. Any kick that comes up short, or any kick that goes out of bounds, is spotted at the 40. A ball that lands in the landing zone then rolls/bounces into the end zone and is downed is a regular touchback, and comes out to the 20.
Once the ball is kicked, only the kicker and returner(s) are allowed to move. Once the returner has fielded the ball or it hits the ground, players are permitted to move. With limited space action happens quick, which can allow the return team to set up plays like on offense. Here’s what that may look like in practice…
Coming soon to a Sunday near you… pic.twitter.com/ONwed8kTWr
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) March 26, 2024
Because players start closer together with less of a running start, the collisions aren’t as big, which should limit head injuries. This new format also allows teams to be more creative in their return setups, adding juice back to the play.
The one play this eliminates is the surprise onside kick (after only two were attempted last season). Teams will still be able to attempt onside kicks, but they’ll have to declare so in advance and then line up in the old alignments. Onside kicks will only be allowed in the fourth quarter and overtime.
As with any new rule, teams across the league will likely start to experiment with different roster building and in-game strategies, in a long process of trial and error. What immediate changes might we see teams make? Here are a few that come to mind…
Kick accuracy receiving preference over kick power
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37) kicks the ball off to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In the past, how far the kickoff kicker could kick the ball was the biggest issue for NFL teams. With touchbacks incentivized, teams main focus was kickers who could boot the ball through the back of the end zone.
Now, such a kick gifts the offense an extra 15 yards, with the ball going to the 35 instead of the 20. Plus, putting more hangtime on the ball is no longer an advantage, since the nobody can move until the ball is touched. If anything, line drive kicks may be more advantageous because they would give the returner less time to get lined up.
At the same time, directional kicking may become more important as teams start to draw up ‘plays’ on kickoff returns. Being able to put the ball in a certain spot for the coverage team may now have more value that the outright distance a kicker can get on it.
A more offense/defense split to the kicking units
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots runs onto the field for warmups before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
One major inspiration for this kickoff setup is it mirrors a typical scrimmage play. Given that, it wouldn’t be surprising if the personnel on the field starts to mirror an offense-defense snap too.
On the kicking team, there should now be more of an emphasis on players who can tackle in space. Just forcing a runner into a single lane will be much harder, so players with experience covering more ground and are strong tacklers will have an edge. Think linebackers and safeties.
Return teams in the past may use some defensive players as up-men, just for the physicality of the role. But now, textbook blocking at the point of attack and being able to block on the move will be valued more. That should put an emphasis on tight ends, bigger receivers, and even some more athletic offensive linemen to play up front.
This doesn’t mean the days of special teams aces are over. For one, there will still be a role for them on the punt team. Plus, most specialists played an offensive or defensive role in college. A college linebacker could come into the NFL and certainly find a regular role in kick coverage. But, more of those roles will probably now go to depth players whose skills already transfer.
Returners will be at a premium
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Jalen Reagor #83 of the New England Patriots runs the kickoff back for a touchdown during the first quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
With this rule change, teams will be able to scheme up more designs for kickoff runbacks, allowing explosive players to be a factor more often. For players experience in navigating the chaos of a kickoff return, this presents a tremendous opportunity. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Cordarrelle Patterson signed with the Steelers the day the rule passed.
The Patriots already have a couple of players in place who will most likely benefit from this rule change. Bigger roles could be in store for Jalen Reagor and Marcus Jones this year as the Patriots work on their kick return schemes.
Practice time
The Patriots’ practice fields behind Gillette Stadium before Day 1 of Patriots training camp.
As with any rule change, the new kickoff will take some getting used to. Teams across the league will likely need to devote more time than usual to practicing kickoff coverage and return in spring practices and training camp this year. Right away, first year Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer has a lot of work ahead of him.
