The NFL is introducing significant changes to the kickoff rules starting in the 2024 season. Inspired by the XFL, these changes will (hopefully) encourage more returns and reduce injuries. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how the new NFL kickoff rules will work.

The New Kickoff Setup

Under the new rules, the kicking team and receiving team will align differently:

1. Kicker’s Position: The kicker will still kick off from their own 35-yard line, as per the current rule.
2. Kicking Team Alignment: All other kicking team players, except the kicker, must line up with one foot on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. The kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until the ball touches the ground, a player in the landing zone, or the end zone.

For the receiving team:

1. Setup Zone: At least nine blockers must be positioned within the “setup zone,” which spans from the 30- to the 35-yard line. A minimum of seven players must have one foot on the 35-yard line (the restraining line), with specific alignment requirements for players outside the numbers, between the numbers and hashes, and inside the hashes.
2. Returners: Up to two returners can be positioned in the “landing zone,” which is the area between the goal line and the 20-yard line. These returners can move freely at any time before or during the kick.

Movement Restrictions

To make for better player safety and minimize high-speed collisions:

1. Kicker and Returners: Only the kicker and the designated returners can move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a player in the landing zone or end zone.
2. Other Players: All other players must remain stationary until the ball is touched or hits the ground in the landing zone or end zone.

Touchback and Kickoff Scenarios

• End Zone Kicks: Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned. If the receiving team opts not to return the ball, it results in a touchback, with the ball placed at the 30-yard line.
• Out of Bounds: If a kick goes out of bounds in the air or after bouncing in the end zone, it results in a touchback, and the receiving team starts at their 30-yard line.
• Short Kicks: Any kick that lands short of the landing zone (before the 20-yard line) and goes out of bounds is treated like a kickoff out of bounds, with the ball placed at the 40-yard line.
• Landing Zone Kicks: Kicks landing in the landing zone must be returned. If such a kick enters the end zone and stays in bounds, it must either be returned or downed by the receiving team, resulting in a touchback at the 20-yard line if downed.

So, Why the Rule Change?

The new rules are designed to keep special teams as a critical part of the game, by increasing the number of returns and reducing the likelihood of touchbacks. Rich McKay, chairman of the NFL Competition Committee, emphasized the importance of preserving special teams’ role, stating that eliminating kickoffs would essentially remove this aspect of the game and reduce it to punts.

Implementation and Future Considerations

The NFL will implement these new rules for the 2024 season on a trial basis. Depending on their impact, the rules may be extended or modified in 2025. Alongside these changes, other rule adjustments include moving the trade deadline to after Week 9, banning the hip-drop tackle to protect ballcarriers, and introducing a rule allowing coaches to earn a third challenge after just one successful challenge. Additionally, replay assistants will be able to review roughing the passer and intentional grounding penalties under specific conditions.