New NFL kickoff rules explained. This should be fun

[Bobhaze]

After many consecutive years of problems with kickoffs, including more injuries and a completely boring lack of returns, the NFL rules committee decided to add some spice to the kickoff again.

In an effort to make the excitement of kick returns a real possibility again, the new rules should make kickoffs both more fun if not mysterious as to how teams learn to both defend it and set up effective returns. With electric returner KeVontae Turpin the Cowboys may have a secret weapon that could come into play this year.

HERE ARE THE BASIC NEW RULES:
There are three new “zones”. 1. The kicking zone where KO team lines up. 2. Set up zone where receiving team blockers line up, and 3. Landing zone where up to two receivers can set up to receive the ball.

KICKING TEAM

• The ball is kicked by the kicker from the 35 yard line (same as current rule)
• All kicking team players other than the kicker will line up with one foot on the receiving team’s 40 yard line.
• Kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until ball touches the ground or player in landing zone or end zone.
• The 10 kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or player in the landing zone or the end zone.

RECEIVING TEAM

• Setup Zone – a 5-yard area from the 35 yard line to the 30 yard line where at least 9 receiving team players must line up.
• At least 7 players with foot on the 35 yard line (restraining line) with alignment requirements (outside numbers, numbers to hashes, and inside hashes)
• All players in the setup zone cannot move until the kick has hit the ground or a player in the landing zone or the end zone.
• A maximum of 2 returners may line up in the landing zone and can move at any time prior to, or during, the kick.
• Landing zone is the area between the receiving team’s goal line and its 20-yard line. Any kick that hits short of the landing zone – treated like kickoff out of bounds and ball spotted at 40 yard line; play would be blown dead as soon as kick lands short of the landing zone
• Any kick that hits in the landing zone - must be returned.
• Any kick that hits in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone – must be returned or downed by receiving team – if downed then touchback to 20 yard line
• Kick hits in end zone, stays inbounds - returned or downed – if downed then touchback to 30 yard line.
• Any kick that goes out of the back of the end zone (in the air or bounces) – touchback to 30 yard line

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN?
I recommend watching the videos contained within the link from the NFL.com article I used for this:
https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/rules-changes/new-dynamic-kickoff-rule-explainer/

This should make what has been a boring part of the game come alive again. Should be fun!

 

[maryquality]

Sounds like a Chinese fire drill. LOL But, guess I will need to see it more before making a judgement.

 

[jazzcat22]

Turpin may have some decent returns.
if it helps us I am for it. If it does not I’m against it.

At least we will get some returns instead of touchbacks most if the time.

 

[Diehardblues]

It wasn’t that bad last night. I actually found it more entertaining than just kicking into endzone 75% of the time .

Kickoffs had basically become a nonexistent play.

 

[Mikexike]

To me, Its more entertaining but looks just as dangerous.... I do believe once the starters actually play we will see PLENTY of returns.... all you need is 1 open gap and the track stars are gone.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Look up the definition of "cluster" in the dictionary.

 

[ArtClink]

After many consecutive years of problems with kickoffs, including more injuries and a completely boring lack of returns, the NFL rules committee decided to add some spice to the kickoff again.

In an effort to make the excitement of kick returns a real possibility again, the new rules should make kickoffs both more fun if not mysterious as to how teams learn to both defend it and set up effective returns. With electric returner KeVontae Turpin the Cowboys may have a secret weapon that could come into play this year.

HERE ARE THE BASIC NEW RULES:
There are three new “zones”. 1. The kicking zone where KO team lines up. 2. Set up zone where receiving team blockers line up, and 3. Landing zone where up to two receivers can set up to receive the ball.

KICKING TEAM

• The ball is kicked by the kicker from the 35 yard line (same as current rule)
• All kicking team players other than the kicker will line up with one foot on the receiving team’s 40 yard line.
• Kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until ball touches the ground or player in landing zone or end zone.
• The 10 kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or player in the landing zone or the end zone.

RECEIVING TEAM

• Setup Zone – a 5-yard area from the 35 yard line to the 30 yard line where at least 9 receiving team players must line up.
• At least 7 players with foot on the 35 yard line (restraining line) with alignment requirements (outside numbers, numbers to hashes, and inside hashes)
• All players in the setup zone cannot move until the kick has hit the ground or a player in the landing zone or the end zone.
• A maximum of 2 returners may line up in the landing zone and can move at any time prior to, or during, the kick.
• Landing zone is the area between the receiving team’s goal line and its 20-yard line. Any kick that hits short of the landing zone – treated like kickoff out of bounds and ball spotted at 40 yard line; play would be blown dead as soon as kick lands short of the landing zone
• Any kick that hits in the landing zone - must be returned.
• Any kick that hits in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone – must be returned or downed by receiving team – if downed then touchback to 20 yard line
• Kick hits in end zone, stays inbounds - returned or downed – if downed then touchback to 30 yard line.
• Any kick that goes out of the back of the end zone (in the air or bounces) – touchback to 30 yard line

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN?
I recommend watching the videos contained within the link from the NFL.com article I used for this:
https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/rules-changes/new-dynamic-kickoff-rule-explainer/

This should make what has been a boring part of the game come alive again. Should be fun!

Its long overdue and should be more exciting than 72 touchbacks.

 

[Streifenkarl]

It wasn’t that bad last night. I actually found it more entertaining than just kicking into endzone 75% of the time .

Kickoffs had basically become a nonexistent play.

They could have just moved the kicker back.

 

[Diehardblues]

They could have just moved the kicker back.

Yea but how far. And do you move it back up for Onside kicks?

 

[Coogiguy03]

They tried to explain it, it gave me thoughts of being a poster in the cowboysbloglounge!!! I was sooooooo confused! (cue in big dog cowboy 3,2,1)

I don't think they care about player safety, as soon as a blocker misses their block, a guy is going to get pounded!!! There's an instance where it goes to the 40 or 35 yard line, it's geared for the offense to score points!

 

[big dog cowboy]

I don't think they care about player safety

Most the rules changes the last few years are specifically targeting player safety. The review process for them is quite extensive and not something pulled out of thin air and haphazardly implemented. We all know the NFL has been very interested in player safety a long time and while we don't always like the new rules they have made the game safer.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Most the rules changes the last few years are specifically targeting player safety. The review process for them is quite extensive and not something pulled out of thin air and haphazardly implemented. We all know the NFL has been very interested in player safety a long time and while we don't always like the new rules they have made the game safer.

Good morning

 

[big dog cowboy]

Good morning

Morn Coog!!!

 

[reddyuta]

This is 100 times better than repeated touchbacks over and over again,cannot believe some old fuddy duddies are complaining about this.it would have been even better if they had left the touchback to 35 yard line instead of the 30 yard line.

 

[speedkilz88]

This is 100 times better than repeated touchbacks over and over again,cannot believe some old fuddy duddies are complaining about this.it would have been even better if they had left the touchback to 35 yard line instead of the 30 yard line.

They may have to adjust that if we still get too many touchbacks.

 

[maryquality]

So, will this cut down on the "illegal block in the back" penalties?

 

[Bobhaze]

They could have just moved the kicker back.

The reason they didn’t just move the kicker back is for safety reasons.

The NFL did a long study of what causes most preventable injuries. Not surprisingly, letting large athletes with tremendous speed and power get a 50 yard full head of stem before hitting each other like a car crash is dangerous. The new rules are designed to prevent that.

So, will this cut down on the "illegal block in the back" penalties?

Great question. I think it will. That penalty is such a buzz kill.

 

[erod]

I think it's going to produce too many big returns.

 

[gtb1943]

Most the rules changes the last few years are specifically targeting player safety. The review process for them is quite extensive and not something pulled out of thin air and haphazardly implemented. We all know the NFL has been very interested in player safety a long time and while we don't always like the new rules they have made the game safer.

Money comes first and don't you forget it
just because something is studied and discussed does not mean the final answers are always right
the new onside kick rules for example STINK

 

[DogFace]

I’d kind of like it to be spotted at the 35 if it goes out of the end zone.

But it’s way better now and should bring some return action.