NFL considering XFL kickoff rule

[Big_D]

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...=SNL-04-10aaa0c&ET_CID=303880&ET_RID=52022239



Currently, NFL teams kick off from their own 35-yard line, and kicking-team players can begin running from that line only after the ball has been kicked. In the revived XFL, however, kickoffs occur at the 30-yard line, with players other than the kicker lined up at the receiving team's 35. Only the kicker and returner, meanwhile, can move before the ball is touched by the returner.

"The NFL is exploring XFL data regarding the play," Mike Florio reported Wednesday. "The overriding goal is to reduce the potential for concussions ... by shrinking the distance between opposing players. The XFL rule leaves only 5 yards of space for players to cover before contact, keeping them from getting to top speed."

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

The only way you reduce the chance for concussions is not to play the game.

 

[zrinkill]

Coming soon

 

[Big_D]

It seems like they're going out of their way to get rid of it.. then just get rid of it. The kicker putting it through the back of the end zone is just for show at this point.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Maybe they should just switch to Madden Esports and call this whole tackle football thing off.

 

[jazzcat22]

Well they did adopt the college KO rule of allowing a fair catch if not in the end zone.
however in last nights game, they ran out every kick caught inside the 5, that I seen.

Not sure how this idea will go over. They seem to make changes just to make changes.

Just like the HOF getting so much bigger as well the the HOF game. Now they go overboard with how many inductees go in every year.

 

[Flamma]

I can understand the NFL destroying the kickoff return for injury concerns. They have no competition. But why would the XFL, NSFL, or any new league do this? You'd think a new league would want to make the game as entertaining as possible.

 

[coogrfan]

I can understand the NFL destroying the kickoff return for injury concerns. They have no competition. But why would the XFL, NSFL, or any new league do this? You'd think a new league would want to make the game as entertaining as possible.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...ule-that-increases-returns-decreases-injuries

According to the XFL, there were two big advantages to the rule: One is that there were fewer injuries because the blockers and tacklers, being only five yards apart and not getting a running start, aren’t engaging in full-speed collisions. The other is that there were far more kickoff returns than in the NFL: Only 38 percent of kickoffs were returned during the 2022 NFL season, but 97 percent of kickoffs were returned during the short-lived 2020 XFL season.

 

[Flamma]

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profo...ule-that-increases-returns-decreases-injuries

According to the XFL, there were two big advantages to the rule: One is that there were fewer injuries because the blockers and tacklers, being only five yards apart and not getting a running start, aren’t engaging in full-speed collisions. The other is that there were far more kickoff returns than in the NFL: Only 38 percent of kickoffs were returned during the 2022 NFL season, but 97 percent of kickoffs were returned during the short-lived 2020 XFL season.

Thanks for this. Now I know they're clueless as well.

Fewer injuries is an advantage by itself. But at the cost of gameplay. No kickoff at all and we get even fewer injuries.

Far more kickoff returns. They'd get far more kickoff returns just by going back to having the kickoffs from the 30 yard line. Like it used to be.

 

[coogrfan]

Fewer injuries is an advantage by itself. But at the cost of gameplay. No kickoff at all and we get even fewer injuries.

Far more kickoff returns. They'd get far more kickoff returns just by going back to having the kickoffs from the 30 yard line. Like it used to be.

I'm not following your logic here at all. The XFL has figured out a way to have the best of both worlds, and somehow that's a bad thing?

 

[Flamma]

I'm not following your logic here at all. The XFL has figured out a way to have the best of both worlds, and somehow that's a bad thing?

You're not getting the best of both worlds, you're getting a compromise.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

The only way you reduce eliminate the chance for concussions is not to play the game.

Fixed it for you. Some things the league has already done have reduced the chances of concussions, such as using better protective helmets. They've also required doctors independent of the team physicians to check out possibly concussed players who have the power to rule them out of returning. These things have reduced concussions and have reduced their seriousness. But if you change "reduce" to "eliminate", then you're spot-on correct.
...
IMO, for the game to continue, players have to assume some risk.

 

[coogrfan]

You're not getting the best of both worlds, you're getting a compromise.

Compromise is not a dirty word. The XFL has 3x more kickoffs returned while also significantly reducing the risk of injury, and you think that's a bad thing?

 

[Flamma]

Compromise is not a dirty word. The XFL has 3x more kickoffs returned while also significantly reducing the risk of injury, and you think that's a bad thing?

Compromise is not ideal. Kickoffs the way they have it now but kicked from the 30 is ideal for the game. They compromised the kickoff for player health. But I guess if you can get past the gimmicky looking play that it is, it is probably better than what they're doing now.

What do they do for onsides kicks from that formation? That 15 or 20 yard pass? All this crap to fix something that isn't broken. Yeah, players get injured in football.

 

[jrumann59]

So I understand it, Kickoffs take on more of regular LOS type play, kicker kicks off from the 35, receiver stands on 30 and the blockers and tacklers are lined up across from each separated by 5 yards. Neither of the 2 lines can move until the ball is received, I actually like that TBH. Basically a long screen type play

 

[coogrfan]

Compromise is not ideal. Kickoffs the way they have it now but kicked from the 30 is ideal for the game. They compromised the kickoff for player health. But I guess if you can get past the gimmicky looking play that it is, it is probably better than what they're doing now.

What do they do for onsides kicks from that formation? That 15 or 20 yard pass? All this crap to fix something that isn't broken. Yeah, players get injured in football.

1. In 2022 only 37.6% of NFL kickoffs were returned. The rule change for this year that will make a fair catch within the 25 yard line an automatic touchback will almost certainly make returns even more infrequent. The figure for the 2023 XFL was around 97%, and they did it while making the game safer. More action and fewer injuries is a win-win.

2. The XFL rules are as follows: in the fourth quarter (only), teams who wanted to retain possession could choose between a traditional onside kick (lineup at your own 30, kicking team can't touch the ball until it has either gone 10 yards or the receiving team touches it) or they could opt to to run one fourth-and-15 play from their own 25 to keep possession. Philly proposed something similar (4th and 20 from your own 20) at the NFL Meetings last March.