NFL Committee To Meet And Discuss “Kickoff Rule”: To Propose Major Onside Kick

The NFL’s kickoff rule may see more changes this summer, and the same may now apply to onside kicks.

NFL Committee To Meet And Discuss “Kickoff Rule” : To Propose Major Onside Kick

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero claimed on Sunday that a new kickoff rule created by NFL special teams coordinators would enable teams to attempt an onside kick only when trailing in the fourth quarter and force them to declare beforehand, according to a source.

Pelissero said that the kickoff team could be permitted to use an imbalanced (6×4) formation to increase the likelihood of a recovery if they announce they’re trying an onside kick.

At the NFL Combine, special teams coordinators got together to talk about a tweak to one of the plays that causes the most injuries. Reducing the pace at which players collide and raising returns are the two objectives of the modifications.

Here is a summary of every aspect of the special teams proposal.

Although it would eliminate the chance of an unexpected onside kick—or any onside kicks before the fourth quarter—the league could be open to accepting this compromise.

In an effort to make kickoffs safer, the NFL has persisted in making adjustments. Only 22% of kickoffs were returned this season, much to the dismay of coaches and players alike, as a result of the trend toward extinction of kick returns.

In 2023, there were just two unexpected onside kicks as a result of run-ups being prohibited, and only 5.2% of onside kicks were recovered.

Pelissero claims that if the new regulations are accepted, they should increase the frequency and success rate of onside kicks, increasing the possibility of a late comeback. However, because a different formation is needed and the setup zone will now be forward of the ball, the element of surprise is eliminated.

Pelissero continues, quoting a source, “The language is still being finalized and owners must approve.” The vote on the matter may be held from March 24–27 at the Annual League Meeting.

Setup zone: The kickoff and return teams would line up on the receiving team’s 40- and 35-yard lines, respectively, and not leave until the ball is touched or reaches the “target zone” (20-yard line to goal line).

Touchbacks: If the ball is kicked into the end zone, the receiving team gets it at the 35-yard line. If the ball is kicked into the target zone and rolls into the end zone, the receiving team possession would start at the 20-yard line.

Crucially, the receiving side will receive the ball from its own 40-yard line and it will be handled identically to an out-of-bounds penalty if the ball does not cross into the “target zone” in the air. Teams trying to squib kick the ball into the end zone should be eliminated as a result.

The XFL came up with the idea for the possible new kickoff regulations, which were subsequently applied in 2023 and 2020 when the league returned.

The NFL assigned coordinators of special teams the challenge of formulating a regulation that yields an acceptable injury rate while also increasing return rates. Everyone hopes that this new regulation would eliminate the speed and space that might lead to increased injury rates while encouraging teams to put the ball in play, bringing excitement back to the kickoff game.

 

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