As the NFL enters its 105th season, it will start its first with the new dynamic kickoff rules. With the NFL Kickoff Game upon us, NFL research wanted to bring light to the new kickoff rules while attempting to answer any lingering questions on the newest addition to our historic game.
Why did the NFL make the change to the "Dynamic Kickoff" in 2024?
The NFL is looking to address two things with the new kickoff rules: reducing injury rates on kickoffs while also keeping a play alive that as provided some of the league’s most exciting moments (hats off to 2024 Hall of Famer Devin Hester) but had become routine with kickers blasting the ball out of the end zone for touchbacks.
The rules are designed to promote more kickoff returns. It is also designed to more closely resemble a play from scrimmage with players aligning closer together at the kick and movement being restricted until the ball is touched by the return team. This is meant to reduce both the space and speed between return units.
What is the “landing zone” and how does it work?
The “landing zone” is designated as the area between the receiving team’s goal line and its 20-yard line. Any kick that hits or is caught inside the landing zone must be returned, with the only exception being a ball that hits in the landing zone but goes into the end zone (explained below).
What are the possible range of outcomes for non-returns?
There are three possible outcomes for the kickoffs that are not returned: starting at the 20-yard line, the 30-yard line, and the 40-yard line.
- If a kick hits in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone, it will be considered a live ball (can be recovered by kicking team) that must either be returned or downed by the return team. The resulting touchback will give the ball to the return team on its own 20-yard line.
- If a kick goes out of the back of the end zone or lands in the end zone, stays inbounds in the end zone and is downed, it will be considered a touchback but will bring the ball to out to the 30-yard line.
- If a kick lands short of the landing zone, it will be treated the same as a kickoff out of bounds, and the return team will get the ball at its own 40-yard line.
What are the rules governing pre-kick alignment rules and movement restrictions prior to the return?
The ball will still be kicked from the 35-yard line. However, only the kicker will start on that side of the 50-yard line. The kicker cannot cross midfield until the ball touches the ground, a player in the landing zone or the end zone. If the ball falls off the tee twice, the kicker will be allowed to use a kicking stick (closest covering official will pick up the stick immediately after the kick). A 12th man also is permitted to hold the ball in windy conditions but must run off the field after the ball is kicked.
The other 10 players on the kickoff team must line up with one foot on the opponent’s 40-yard line (which is 25 yards ahead of the tee). None of these players are permitted to move until the ball hits the ground, a player in the landing zone or the end zone.
As for the return team, a maximum of two returners may line up in the landing zone. The two players are allowed to move at any point prior to or during the kick.
The other nine players on the return team must line up in what is called the “setup zone.” This is the 5-yard area between the receiving team’s 30- and 35-yard line.
Seven of those nine players must have at least one foot on the 35-yard line, which is known as “the restraining line.” These players will have alignment requirements outside the numbers, between the numbers and the hashes, and outside the hashmarks. The two players not on the restraining line must be lined up outside the hashmarks.
No player in the setup zone is allowed to move until the ball hits the ground, a player in a landing zone or the end zone.
Will the landing zone change if a penalty is assessed on a kickoff or after a safety?
No. The landing zone and setup zone will not change if a penalty is carried over to a kickoff or after a safety. Only the spot of the kick moves.
Note that penalties on scoring plays will not be assessed on the kickoffs and must be taken on the try (extra point or 2-point attempt). However, penalties on the try can be assessed on the kickoff.
Kickoffs after a safety will remain from the kicking team’s 20-yard line. The kicker will have the option to use a tee.
In both situations, the setup and landing zone will remain the same.
When are teams allowed to onside kick?
Gone are the days of surprise onside kicks in the Super Bowl. Teams are now only permitted to onside kick in the fourth quarter when trailing and must be declared to the officials prior to attempting them. There are no changes to the rules concerning onside kicks.
Has the kickoff encouraged more returns in the 2024 preseason?
Last season, the league saw its lowest kickoff return rate (22.1 percent) in a single season in NFL history. 70.5 percent of kickoffs were returned during the 2024 preseason --the first set of games with the new dynamic kickoff. Only eight kickoff returns did not result in an offensive possession during the 2024 preseason: Five were at the end of the half or game, two were lost fumbles and one resulted in a safety.
To summarize, these are the following outcomes of the new dynamic kickoff:
- A kickoff lands in the landing zone and must be returned.
- A kickoff lands in the landing zone and bounces into the endzone. The ball is live and must be returned or downed. If downed, the ball is placed on the receiving team’s 20-yard line.
- A kickoff lands in the end zone and goes out of the back of the endzone or is simply kicked out of the back of the end zone; the touchback will be placed on the receiving’s teams 30-yard line.
- A kickoff hits in the end zone and stays inbounds. The ball is live and must be returned or downed. If downed, the touchback will be placed on the receiving team’s 30-yard line.
- A kickoff lands short of the landing zone or out of bounds. The touchback is placed at the 40-yard line.
- A kickoff lands inside the landing zone but is touched by a returned with one foot outside of the landing zone. It will be treated as if it landed outside of the landing zone and placed at the receiving team’s 40-yard line.