NFL kickoff rule changes incoming? League exploring possibilities ahead of Week 1
The NFL will debut a new kickoff rule this season, however, it may already be undergoing a few tweaks before Week 1. On Monday, NFL Chief Football Administrative Officer Dawn Aponte spoke to the media and answered questions about the upcoming season.
Aponte was asked if the new kickoff rule could be altered in the coming weeks before the season begins. Specifically, she was asked if the touchback could be moved from the 30-yard line, where it is currently played, to the 35-yard line, which was the original proposal by the competition committee. Regarding this, Aponte said:
"It would be not likely. The way that we passed this and discussed it with the competition committee as well as membership at large was really about continuing to evaluate. It is a one-year rule change, so we anticipate to evaluate this throughout the season." [H/T Associated Press]
Dawn Aponte further said the NFL might make some small changes to the kickoff rule in the coming days, but a complete overhaul of the rule won't come until the offseason.
What is the NFL's new kickoff rule?
This past March, the National Football League voted to approve a change in kickoffs for at least one year. The modification will be evaluated in the offseason, and a decision will be made on whether it remains.
According to the new rule, kickers will now kick the ball from their own 35-yard line. The other nine members of the kicking team will be lined up on the opponent's 40-yard line. The receiving team will line up their 35-yard line and can have up to two players ready to return the ball.
When the ball is kicked, it must land between the 20-yard line and the end zone. A touchback is now at the 30-yard line, up from the 20-yard line. If the ball goes out of bounds or doesn't land in the right area, it's a penalty, and the receiving team will receive the ball at their 40-yard line.
Before the kick, only the kicker and returner(s) are allowed to move, everyone else must stay in place. Other players can move once the ball is caught or hits the ground.
Teams are now prohibited from attempting an onside kick before the fourth quarter. Only teams that are behind in the fourth quarter can attempt an onside kick, and they must announce their intention beforehand.