NFL approves new kickoff rule for 2024, adopting XFL-style kickoffs

[MULTIZ321]

NFL approves new kickoff rule for 2024, adopting XFL-style kickoffs

NFL approves new kickoff rule for 2024, adopting XFL-style kickoffs

Football will look slightly different next season.

www.thephinsider.com

Richard

 

[MOXJO7282]

This is going to have a dramatic impact on the game.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

This is going to have a dramatic impact on the game.

Yes - and likely for the better. Should make kickoffs much more interesting - better than just watching a football sail through the end zone 80% of the time. Also safer for the players.

Since the new rules make a kickoff much more like a punt, I wonder if teams won't start using punters for kickoffs? Punters are trained to try to both manage the distance a ball travels in the air, as well as to generate hang time on the kick to allow defenders to get down field.

 

[ScoopKona]

Stock just went up for any kicker who can reliably place the ball between the 5 and 15 yard line without bouncing into the end zone.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Stock just went up for any kicker who can reliably place the ball between the 5 and 15 yard line without bouncing into the end zone.

And kick returners. Their value has really sky-rocketed.

 

[PigsDad]

I wonder if we will start seeing specialty kickoff kickers, instead of always using the same kicker for kickoffs and field goals / extra points. Punting is such a different skill and motion; not sure if punters would make good kickoff kickers.

Kurt

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Punting is such a different skill and motion; not sure if punters would make good kickoff kickers.

Punters are currently valued for their ability to drop the ball inside the opponents 20-yard line, but short of the goal line, while providing hang time in the air to allow defenders to catch up with the kicked football.

Under the new rules, how would what is expected of the kicker on a kickoff differ significantly from what is currently expected of a punter? If anything, the punters job on a kickoff should be easier because the punter won't have to worry about pressure by defenders trying to block the kick.

 

[PigsDad]

Punters are currently valued for their ability to drop the ball inside the opponents 20-yard line, but short of the goal line, while providing hang time in the air to allow defenders to catch up with the kicked football.

Under the new rules, how would what is expected of the kicker on a kickoff differ significantly from what is currently expected of a punter? If anything, the punters job on a kickoff should be easier because the punter won't have to worry about pressure by defenders trying to block the kick.

But the punting motion (drop kicking the ball) is way different than place kicking the ball (which is used in the new kickoff rules, if it is the same as XFL). Do you honestly think that a punter that is good at drop kicking the ball right at the 20 yard line would necessarily have that same skill when forced to kick it off from a tee? That is a different skill set.

Kurt

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

But the punting motion (drop kicking the ball) is way different than place kicking the ball (which is used in the new kickoff rules, if it is the same as XFL). Do you honestly think that a punter that is good at drop kicking the ball right at the 20 yard line would necessarily have that same skill when forced to kick it off from a tee? That is a different skill set.

Kurt

I was thinking that using a place kick on a kickoff is simply custom because a place kick allows for the greatest distance on a kick. However, digging into the rules I see that a kickoff has to be either a drop kick or a place kick. In that case, then I agree that using a punter on kickoff is not likely.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

using a punter on kickoff is not likely

not only that rule but kickers do learn / practice kicking "popups", esp the ones who played a lot of soccer, which is now most of them probably
Definitely a positive change, but not a major impact. Wild card = returning team has its back to the return guy and is supposed to not move til a specific moment when something happens behind their backs. Will there be many many "moved too early" penalties?

 

[PigsDad]

not only that rule but kickers do learn / practice kicking "popups", esp the ones who played a lot of soccer, which is now most of them probably
Definitely a positive change, but not a major impact. Wild card = returning team has its back to the return guy and is supposed to not move til a specific moment when something happens behind their backs. Will there be many many "moved too early" penalties?

Interesting question. Looking at the video in the article posted by the OP, it looks like the return team "line" waited until they saw motion on the kicking team "line". Seems like the "too early" penalties would be more focused on the kicking team. Not sure if there was any other communication involved.

Kurt

 

[Talent312]

... Wild card = returning team has its back to the return guy and is supposed to not move til a specific moment when something happens behind their backs. Will there be many many "moved too early" penalties?

If they waited for the kicking team to move, could they be drawn into motion with fake outs?

 

[PigsDad]

If they waited for the kicking team to move, could they be drawn into motion with fake outs?

I'm guessing that would be a penalty against the kicking team.

Kurt

 

[MULTIZ321]

NFL owners approve a radical overhaul to kickoff rules, adopting setup used in XFI

NFL owners approve a radical overhaul to kickoff rules, adopting setup used in XFL

Kickoff returns are returning to the NFL

abcnews.go.com

Richard

 

[LannyPC]

better than just watching a football sail through the end zone 80% of the time.

.............like this year's Super Bowl game. IIRC, not one kickoff was returned. All sailed through the end zone. I was hoping the NFL would make some sort of rule adjustment that would reduce the number of kickoff touchbacks.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Videos show how weird the new NFL kickoff rules will make the play look in 2024

Videos show how weird the new NFL kickoff rules will make the play look in 2024

This looks so weird.

ftw.usatoday.com

Richard

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Videos show how weird the new NFL kickoff rules will make the play look in 2024

Videos show how weird the new NFL kickoff rules will make the play look in 2024

This looks so weird.

ftw.usatoday.com

Richard

more entertaining than watching a ball fly all the way through the end zone.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Interesting question. Looking at the video in the article posted by the OP, it looks like the return team "line" waited until they saw motion on the kicking team "line". Seems like the "too early" penalties would be more focused on the kicking team. Not sure if there was any other communication involved.

Kurt

If they waited for the kicking team to move, could they be drawn into motion with fake outs?

The receiving team will likely have one or two players looking back over their shoulder at the kick receiver. Meanwhile, the rest of the receiving will be focusing on the alignment of the kicking team and their blocking assignments. When the ball hits the ground or the receiver fields the kick, the players looking back at the receiver will move to start blocking. That will be the cue for the remainder of the blockers to begin moving as well. If crowd noise permits, the receiver could also send a verbal signal to the rest of the team to commence play.

 

[MOXJO7282]

I haven't seen any mention of what a on-sides kick would look like under the new rules.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I haven't seen any mention of what a on-sides kick would look like under the new rules.

It seems to me that on-sides kick will no longer be possible. After being kicked, the ball has to touch ground in the landing zone. If that doesn't happen, the receiving team gets the ball at the designated location.

[Amended]
Apparently on-side kicks are still allowed. Applicable elements are:

• Kicking team must declare intent to do an on-side kick. I.e., no "surprise" on-side kick.
• Applicable line-up and rules for on-side are the same used previously.
• On-side kicks are only allowed in fourth quarter.
• Each team allowed two on-side kick attempts during a game.