NFL Owners Approve Comprehensive Overhaul of Kickoff Play: A Shift Towards Safety and Enhanced Gameplay

NFL owners have unanimously approved a significant overhaul of the kickoff play, drawing inspiration from the XFL after extensive deliberations spanning three days at the league’s annual meeting.

The new rules mark the most substantial on-field alteration for the NFL in recent memory, aimed at reversing over a decade of declining return rates and reducing concussion incidents. Essentially, the revised format relocates the majority of players from both the kicking and return teams further downfield to mitigate high-speed collisions. These changes will be implemented for one year initially, with the potential for adjustments in the future.

Throughout the 2024 season, kickers will maintain their position at the 35-yard line, while the remaining ten players on the kickoff team will position themselves at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Meanwhile, a minimum of nine members from the return team will assemble within a designated “setup zone” stretching from the 35- to the 30-yard line. Additionally, up to two returners may position themselves within a “landing zone” spanning from the goal line to the 20-yard line.

It’s important to note that apart from the kicker and designated returners, no players are permitted to move until the ball either makes contact with the ground or a player within the landing zone. Touchbacks will now be marked at the 30-yard line, and fair catches will not be permitted. Should a team opt to attempt an onside kick, it must inform officials of its intentions and adhere to the NFL’s traditional formation, prohibiting surprise onside kicks.

This proposal closely mirrors the structure and principles of the XFL version, with slight adjustments in player alignments. In the XFL, players lined up further downfield, between the 30- and 35-yard lines of the returning team. With over 90% of kickoffs being returned during the XFL’s tenure, NFL special teams coaches involved in crafting this revised format are aiming for an 80% return rate in 2024.

The rationale behind these changes is evident. In its efforts to mitigate concussions resulting from kickoffs, the NFL has progressively implemented rule changes over the past 15 seasons to discourage returns. Measures included moving kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line, banning wedge and double-team blocks, and in 2023, instituting a rule allowing a fair catch to be marked at the 25-yard line.

Over this period, touchback rates surged while the return rate plummeted to a league-record low of 21.7% in 2023. Although concussion numbers decreased in tandem with returns, the rate of concussions per kickoff remained relatively constant, as noted by league officials.

Ahead of the vote, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed his support, emphasizing the importance of special teams plays and the impact of recent changes on the game.

Owners also approved three additional rule changes:

• * Prohibition of the swivel hip drop tackle technique.
• * Allowing teams to receive a third challenge after successfully completing one challenge. Previously, two successful challenges were required to earn a third.
• * In the event of a double foul during a possession change, including post-possession fouls during a scrimmage kick, the team last gaining possession will retain possession after enforcement for its foul, provided it did not commit a foul before gaining possession.