Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Center-Here's 5 things to know about the NFL's new kickoff rule

Here are Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Centerfive things to know about NFL’s new hybrid kickoff rule that passed during league meetings Wednesday for the 2024 NFL season:

New-look kickoff format = less running

The new NFL kickoff format will take some time for football players, coaches and fans to adjust. Here’s how they’ll line up:

Kickers will kick off from their own 35-yard line. The 10 other players from the kicking team will line up on the opposing team’s 40-yard line instead of running the length of the field when the ball is kicked.

The receiving team will have nine players line up five yards away on the 35-yard line. Two returners will be stationed in a landing zone, from the 20-yard line to the end zone.

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No players (except the kicker and returners) can move until the ball is received by a returner.

“It is going to look like it’s a different play in the first couple weeks. I don’t think it’ll take long to feel comfortable with,” NFL competition committee chairman Rick McKay said.

“This looks a little bit strange. It’s not the football that we're used to and grew up with,” added Saints special teams coach Darren Rizzi, who was also instrumental in educating teams about the new rule.

Fewer touchbacks and more returns

Here are the facts: The NFL reported at least 1,970 touchbacks occurred on 2,698 kickoff plays during the 2023 season, a rate of 21.8%.

The hope is the new rule results in more returns. Any kick inbounds can be returned.

“We’re in business of creating an entertaining product, and putting a product on the field that should be competitive in every moment. And we created a play that was no longer competitive,” NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said.

"Yes, it’s a big change. But the time has come to make that change.”

There are also opportunities for touchbacks at the 30-yard line: If any kick reaches the end zone in the air, if any kick goes out of bounds, and if any kick passes the back of the end zone.

New kickoff rule made with player safety in mind

With special teams players from both teams lining up 5 yards apart, this negates the need for players to run and defend the length of the field on kickoffs — something the players will hold in high regard.

“The feedback from the players was fantastic. Coach, you’re telling me you’re going to take 30 yards out of running? Fantastic,” said Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel, who was also instrumental in educating and advocating for the rule change at league meetings.

“From a kickoff return perspective, there’s a healthy fear sometimes from those guys on the front line when they retreat and they have a guy coming from 35 yards at 25 mph; the collision part of it. The impact on those collisions is going to be lower.”

Onside kicks are only available in 4th quarter

Due to the new kickoff format, NFL teams will be able to declare they want to pursue an onside kick in the fourth quarter of games. They can declare to do so twice.

“If you're trailing and want to kick a traditional onside kick, you have that right,” McKay said.

With the players from both sides lining up five yards apart, the idea of a surprise onside kick to catch the opposition off-guard will be a thing of the past.

But “surprise onside kicks” aren’t really part of the game much to begin with: Rizzi noted there were only two attempts in 2023, and four in the last five years. Overall, NFL teams have converted 2 of their last 15 surprise onside kick attempts.

NFL will revisit new kickoff rule after 2024 season

With major change comes the opportunity to revisit and adjust the kickoff rule following the 2024 season.

“I think we’re still going to have to tinker with it. But I think it’ll be a big improvement and bring the play back to being a relevant play,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.