The NFL Finally Killed the Kick Off

The New Kick Off rules are terrible, but here's what you should expect with them and my honest and fair criticism's of the scheme.

[@JamesDavidWalley]

I'm surprised they didn’t change the rules to allow the receiving team put a baserunner on 2nd.

[@Andy-cj7bu]

Right!!! I wonder if they will add a 3 pt line at some point......

[@OldGuard53]

@@Andy-cj7bu Maybe...but wouldn't that be Icing!!!

[@Andy-cj7bu]

@@OldGuard53 yeah and that icing will get ya yellow carded every damn time......

[@OldGuard53]

@@Andy-cj7bu I'm pretty sure a first offense is a one-stroke penalty

[@Andy-cj7bu]

@@OldGuard53 right right. And that sets the score at 10 love if I'm not wrong

[@seanblake7554]

The touchback goes to the 30 yard line, the original adaptation was for 35 but changed it during the meetings

[@tyronewilson7890]

Good bc that’s bs. First they wanted to take kick returns out of the game, now they’re trying to persuade kick returns.

[@ConstitutionalDelegateRepublic]

Yes safer ones... This was the compromise. Have you seen modern day , I call them missle tackles and clotheslines on kickoffs.​@@tyronewilson7890 Plus it'll be better than the 23% return rate we saw and maybe teams will find ways to return more for TDs who knows.

[@duncanluciak5516]

No kickoffs returned in the latest SB -It was already a dead play! (Edited for clarity. This past SB.)

[@Valpo2004]

It used to be at the SB at the moment of kickoffs, there would be tons of noise and cameras would flash from the crowd because the kickoff was an exciting way to start the game. In the last SB I don't think either of these happened and everyone just waited through the formality of kicking the ball til the offense and defense came on the field. So at this point I would say some sort of kickoff is better than the formality we used to have.

[@cowtowncaptain7649]

That’s because they moved the ball up to the 35. If that wanted to fix it they should just move it back to the 20 like the old days, way more returns

[@YouPremium33]

@@cowtowncaptain7649 exactly, idont know why nobody thought about that, probly safety reasons

[@Legault397]

@@cowtowncaptain7649 way more traumatic head injuries too

[@user-dm8kz8ul8h]

@@Legault397”that’s football”

[@julesjames593]

Thanks for the breakdown. I can see a bunch of coach-scheme innovations coming. And anything is better than the commercial-extra point-commercials-kick off into the endzone-commercial interludes between plays worth watching.

[@twelvefootboy]

thanks for speaking truth to power. The instant a touchdown is confirmed, I hit ten-twelve jumps on the DVD for a five-six minute hop (except for two point conversion attempts). If the receiving team isn't past their 35 when the offense is out, I just see if the score changed for the made extra point and am done with that boring ritual nonsense. This new rule also looks boring, but not as boring as a thuderfoot touchback. Maybe there will be fewer blocks in the back and holds as well. I'd bet more yards were lost on those than gained on all the successful returns (relative to the 25 touchback spot). Thanks Isaac for the numerous XFL clips. It looks like a low risk gamble if coaches try schemes. I do wonder if the muff factor is going to be a bigger deal - that damn ball ain't round! And you know there is going to be a ton of punching at the ball for turnovers with more people swarming at slow moving runners.

[@captaincarl8230]

Cleveland Browns' kicker Don Cockroft back in 1980 used to kick the ball higher, instead of farther, and that resulted in lots of kickoff returns and the Browns setting a record that year for the shortest average kickoff return for a season. There's a coach-scheme scenario for you.

[@venomgames42]

A few corrections regarding the rules, since you showed the XFL style kickoff, which is slightly different from the newly approved rules. 1) A ball kicked directly into the endzone is a touchback to the 30 yard line, not 35. 2) The return team will line up with 7 men on the 30, 2 on the 25, and 2 returners back deep. This will allow for more layered blocking schemes, and make the line drive kick less effective. 3) Players on each team (besides returners) will be able to move once the ball makes contact with the ground or a player. 4) The football must be downed by a player if it lands or rolls into the endzone. No more immediate touchback if the ball directly impacts the endzone.

[@shortcb]

Rule 4 is gonna cause a stupid touchdown early into the season next year.

[@escaped1534]

Thanks for the breakdown..

[@laurenshare3726]

I hate the immediate touchback rule. I'm glad that's gone.

[@300lbcanary2]

Seems like the least risky thing is to just kick it into the endzone.

[@TheHollomap]

Okay that is a good clarification thank you. I like the ability for teams to create formations and blocking schemes. I think this will breath some life into the kickoff. Will be fun to see how coaches play with it.

[@Legault397]

They should just do what Jon Bois suggested and give the team that just scored the ball at their own 30/35 on a 4th and 15. In most situations, you're going to punt, but if you're trying to make a comeback, you can still go for it. 4th and 15 or even 4th and 20 have a *much* higher conversion rate than onside kicks ever did so two or even three score games would be much more interesting when the clock got below 5 minutes

[@jandrew1994]

The main issue is what about penalties. You'd have to eliminate automatic first downs and make DPI at most a 10 or 15 yard penalty and no automatic first down. And it would have to be much harder than 4th and 15, maybe 4th and 25 from your own 20 or 25.

[@Customerbuilder]

I miss Jon Bois on his own! Secret Base (or whatever they're called now) is trash by comparison.

[@Jtevkicksandcards]

Hell no thats insane

[@jdotoz]

​@@jandrew1994 Fair point about the penalties but I certainly don't want it to be harder to convert. I'm all for removing as much garbage time as possible.

[@kurtwicklund8901]

Kickers will learn how to kick line drive knuckleballs that max out maybe 20 feet high. Just high enough to clear the lines then bounce and skip off randomly at speed. Good luck fielding that cleanly. This system will last one year is my call.

[@nicholastrudeau7581]

Or they will make small adjustments to it until it works the way they're wanting it.

[@daryanguy]

Honestly this would be the most interesting outcome by far but I hope they keep it. At some point there will need to be more receivers then it becomes a game of how many receivers VS blockers are needed to deal with the skill of the kicker. Also more AFL kickers or even some from rugby as this is how rugby kick tennis basically works at the moment.

[@thedailygreatness]

Exactly. Atrocious idea. They should just move the kicker back 5 yards and move the kicking team five yards forward.

[@zkeletonz001]

It's not the exact same rules as the XFL. There's more leeway about where the return team can line up some of their players. The special teams coaches had a lot of say in developing this version and think there's enough room to allow them to implement some strategic moves. Just moving the kick back isn't going to fly because the teams and the union want to minimize injuries.

[@MyLibertyTV]

They have to make it to the landing zone, so no.

[@aintnoway686]

man they turned a practice drill into a real play

[@PhartmonsterGaming]

And now you can't tackle. NFL wants games to be shootouts. Say goodbye to those chess match defensive games

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

Next you won’t be allowed to grab their legs. Might as well just give them all flags.

[@retyboi]

It’s so funny how everyone was praying for the NFL to change the kick to the XFL version, and when they do everyone says how this is the end of the world as we know it 🤣

[@bradg1440]

I don't think that is accurate.

[@daifeichu]

Not me. I can't stand watching the ball go into the end zone with no return. When I saw the XFL kickoffs I knew that was the better way.

[@cowtowncaptain7649]

I don’t know anyone who wanted the XFL rule. Most people want them to go back to kicking the ball from the 20, more returns, more action

[@dankplatypus420]

@@cowtowncaptain7649more players hurt

[@aintnoway686]

I never asked for it. You know it may be entirely possible that different people can have different opinions

[@dylanbeasley6019]

Do what the cfl does. No touchbacks. Just catch the ball and run wherever you are on the field.

[@Cornpop69]

But then football players get hit

[@dylanbeasley6019]

@@Cornpop69 😱😱😱

[@RyTrapp0]

@@Cornpop69 Yea, the thing the NFL got sued over...

[@grondhero]

What does the CFL do if the ball goes out of the end zone? The NFL used to have more players running the ball back, but then they moved the kickoff from the 20 yard line to the 30 or 35 and so most kicks go right into or beyond the end zone.

[@Villairn1]

​@@grondheroin the CFL, if the offensive team kicks the ball through the end zone they get a point, a rouge. Usually doesn't happen as they'll go for a field goal instead. A missed field goal that goes through the end zone is also point. If the missed field goal is caught in the end zone, the catching team can either try and return the ball, or take a knee and concede a point for better field position.

[@ominaroust1109]

i literally had to check to see if it was april 1st. are you serious?

[@darcywalker1546]

Why doesn’t the NFL just does what the CFL does. The CFL kicks off the ball at the 35 yd line. Remember the field is 10 yds longer in the CFL. This means no touchbacks. Also as soon as the ball is kicked, players can still move but have to give 5yds to the returner to catch the ball. So the returner is protected as well. Pretty simple change for the NFL and the kickoff will not be ruined. In fact it would be better as there will be way more returns then touchbacks meaning more importance of returners and more play for special teams. NFL needs to learn from their northern neighbours.

[@jasonturek6671]

If anyone is wondering: if you try and take a touchback in the CFL, its a rouge and the opposing team gets 1 point

[@goodmaro]

No! Players of the side kicking off (and onside players generally) do not have to give yards in Canadian rules. That applies only to offside players, and all players are onside at a kickoff.

[@darcywalker1546]

@@goodmaro this is right from the CFL rule book Article 7 - Interference By Team A Before gaining possession: A player of the kicking team shall not be permitted to interfere with an opponent who is attempting to play or recover the ball until that team has gained possession. In other words, you have to allow the receiver get the ball before making contact. Also when punter punts the ball in CFL, you have to give the receiver 5 yds when they receive the ball.

[@keith6706]

@@goodmaro They have to allow the receiver to field the ball, but as soon as he touches it, he's fair game.

[@jasonturek6671]

@@darcywalker1546 but if you’re behind or beside the kicker you’re considered ‘onside’ and you don’t have to give the returner 5 yards

[@Michael--317]

Without having to worry about hangtime, kickers (at least the good ones) will learn to kick a low flying, skidding type ball which will make it difficult to collect. I can also see for the receivers, having two back there might open up some lateral passing plays.

[@dhochee]

First XFL touchdown return was exactly that. Even if it's not quite as exciting as the old kickoffs, it will be better than what we've had the past few years.

[@triplec8375]

So, if kickers start trying to kick the low, hard to field knuckleball, what happens if they kick it too low and it bounces off of someone's helmet on the line? If it's low enough can a line defender reach up an swat it without moving their feet? Can they jump and try to block it as long as they don't move forward? If any of that happened would it be a live ball or dead at the point of contact?

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

Let’s be real. This is absurd.

[@annseger9519]

Make the field 120 yards now.

[@webs0083]

The onside kick is only mostly dead. Starting with the 4th quarter, teams can declare an onside kick in which case the teams line up how they have in the past.

[@ethandowler4669]

The legend of Kickarus will live on!

[@nautifella]

Touchbacks should be at the 15 to give the receiving team an incentive to bring it out.

[@kennywhitaker827]

If the ball lands in the zone, they have to return it

[@MyLibertyTV]

The touchback is designed to penalize the kicker for not hitting the landing zone.

[@nautifella]

@@MyLibertyTV Didn't workout that way did it? If the teams actually viewed it as a penalty, we wouldn't see kickers pasting the ball out of the endzone.

[@noahsvirsky9962]

That wouldn't work bc kickers would just boot it out the back of the end zone every kickoff, even moreso than now. That's why the only solution is to disincentivize touchbacks for the kicking team

[@UnicornOfDepression]

No Fun League at it again. A 10-yard gap instead of a 5-yard gap would allow more time to set up return blocks. Gonna be great for throwbacks, though.

[@GoBoltsGo]

How the hell is this “no fun”? This is a step in the right direction. Yes, they’re a bunch of old guys who want to protect their billions by making slow changes. Keep commending them for the good steps they make so they make more.

[@shaun4655]

No fun? Almost anything is more fun than the current kickoff format.

[@wompa70]

Been waiting on this since hearing the news this morning. I think it might be pretty cool. It's for sure going to take some time for the teams to figure out good strategies. But it's better than just booting it through the end zone and starting on the 25 or wherever it is now.

[@littlebilly8747]

Yeah. I don’t even care if this works out in the long run, something had to change and at least new ideas are being tried to optimize on field product and player safety

[@jeremyarcus-goldberg9543]

You showed about 20 clips of kickoffs. There is nothing interesting about any of them. If this is the change, then might as well just give the ball to to the receiving team somewhere at 20-30 and just not even do it. What has been interesting about this example of kickoff besides protecting the receiver from huge hits?

[@Justin_Watson23]

I got on the field as a "big skill" body type in college by getting really good at beating double teams as the kick side contain guy. I made my bones as a special teams coach at the HS level by innovating with a "diamond" return formation & having 6 KOR TD's in '14, & another 4 in '15. I hope this is roundly rejected, bc just as I suspected, it's all skill guys bc of the spacing. No room to innovate, I hate it sooo damn much, & feel sorry for the high iq/effort guys, bc they have no shot at making rosters/breaking through via special teams even more now.

[@joshuahitchins1897]

Is there any ideas to rework OLine tactics like traps or pulls create imbalances? I know without the threat of a pass, the blocking scheme is much different, but I feel there's a little wiggle room beyond "Block in front of you."

[@bigtimetimmyjim6486]

It is not really fair to point out that the low onside kick percentage will be barely influenced by this rule change; the only reason it was low in the first place was because of another rule change that effectively killed it years ago.

[@johnkruton9708]

Any chance a kicker could make a ball drop in and bounce up like a basketball ? Or just drop it to a stop? I know probably end over end line drive knuckleball with a curve in it so it is hard to field. I think it will just suck more. I don’t want to see offensive linemen on kickoffs as now its another avenue for there injuries and or OL *Seahawks* have pretty much sucked post SB48 so 11 years now of suckage. Lol

[@williamvardy2753]

With kickers booting it through the end zone, why didn't they just move back the kickoff line (i.e. to the 30 or even 25 yard line instead of the 35)? Everything else same as before. Much better chance of a return.

[@thesilence4456]

Was looking for this comment. Also change the touchback to 20 yard line like it used to be and you’ll see way more returns

[@cvn6555]

They don't want returns and they don't want high-speed collisions like the ones that happen every kickoff. They are trying to decrease injuries, not just at the pro level but have this filter down to the HS and junior levels. Too many moms are stopping their boys from playing football because of all the injuries.

[@tarico4436]

@@cvn6555 Right. It's all about decreasing easily preventable injuries. Kickoffs have been falling for years in the "excitement" category. Do not get rid of punts. Punt returns are still one of the most exciting plays in the game.

[@thesilence4456]

@@cvn6555 I hear you but the new kick off doesn’t seem to reduce returns or get rid of high speed collisions so I’m confused their reasons

[@snowdenwyatt6276]

@@thesilence4456 The rules previously in place had reduced returns to practically zero. They wanted to INCREASE returns without having the kicking team's tacklers getting a 40 yard run to maximize their speed. High speed collisions are reduced (kicking team players have no more than five to ten yards to build up steam), and most if not all kickoffs will result in a return. If they had just moved the kickoff back five or ten yards that would give kicking team players five or ten more yards to accelerate resulting in more high speed collisions.

[@all_time_Jelly_Fish]

just wish they would come up with a solution for the onside kick, i like the 4th snd 20 or so idea

[@ElephantSM]

But when how why is this for real?

[@roonilwazlib4433]

This year, like shown in the video, and yes

[@tarico4436]

Where? In the US.

[@ExpedientFalcon]

Well, at least touchbacks won't be a problem anymore. But, uh... Yeah this seems mid.

[@mattr791]

Mid but knowing the next step if this doesn't work is getting rid of the kickoff entirely I think we can live with it

[@thebenc1537]

Wait - nobody can move when the ball is in the air? Does that include the kicker who was already moving? Does he just kick it and freeze where he ended?

[@kurtwicklund8901]

Snipers stop the kicker moving after the boot. On an unrelated note, NFL rosters have been expanded to 275.

[@seanblake7554]

The kicker can move but can not go past the 50 till the ball lands

[@MrSeezero]

The title of your KZbin video reminds me of the MTV video for "Video Killed The Radio Star".

[@seanmcmonagle4012]

The players can't move until the ball is caught or can they move if the ball hits the ground first?

[@MovieMakingMan]

My dad had a rule change that would’ve made football more entertaining with way less rules. He proposed building a wall on sides of the field and having no rules. Players could do anything short of murder to move the ball. There would be no downs. Just two teams clawing and punching their way down the field until the other team ripped the ball away from the team with the ball. No officials. No rules except no knifes or guns could be used. Attendance would skyrocket. But obviously todays players are too soft to play a tough game without any rules.

[@TheHollomap]

I think if they changed the whole lineup up on the line for the return team it would add some interesting schemes. Maybe say they have to line up within a Max of 10 yards off the line. Allow for some ability to create formations. Allow the same for the kickoff but maybe a 5 yard window.

[@greglbennett]

The kick return was the most exciting play in football until they realized just how dangerous it was for everyone. So they basically made the kickoff rules to be an automatic touchback and essentially eliminated kick returns. This new rule doesn't kill the kickoff, but it brings it back in a way that might actually make the play relevant again. Instead of an automatic placing of the ball at the 30 yard line, the returner is going to have to EARN the yards. It brings ACTION back to the kick off instead of watching the ball sail out of the end zone 98% of the time. It at least gives the chance that one will get busted open for a TD

[@jason2mate]

Haven't played NFL myself, mostly AFL and Soccer, but this feels like it should probably turn hard into a knuckleball style kick, or a banana kick (AFL though don't know how well that would work from a pin) where possible, to make it really hard to field cleanly. 50 FT distance with a low fly ball that can take vary a lot with Wind, or that has a hard turn designed into the bounce feels like you could probably get to a point where the fielder can't get into range before it hit's the ground. Am curious what happens if it hit's the ground and isn't fielded but stays in the landing zone if anyone knows.

[@johnhenning898]

this is gonna suck

[@Spartan0430]

as opposed to endless touchbacks that completely killed kick offs?

[@littlebilly8747]

The kickoff couldn’t have gotten worse, so I’m up for anything different at this point

[@STREAMSONLY-vt6gx]

You like watching 20 touchbacks every game? Why even line up at that point

[@meepk633]

I'm so sorry. Maybe you can get some friends together to kick footballs at each other, make hand signals, and then walk off the field without doing anything. It's not the real deal, but maybe you'll get a little taste of the old timey magic.

[@littlebilly8747]

@@STREAMSONLY-vt6gx Exactly. May as well remove kickoffs from the sport entirely at that point

[@johnsonmce1644]

I can see Butker, my favorite player, not want to kick these because it’s gonna change his mechanics and give him bad reps. Is this a potential concern for kickers in your opinion?

[@ratgobbler]

We’ll see how Matt Araiza does.

[@stephen300o6]

Will you miss the touchbacks?

[@andrewmartin7221]

@1:25 "After hundreds of years?" 😂😂😂

[@stephanledford9792]

I wonder if there is going to be a time limit on how long one has to pick up the ball, thus starting the action. If it is hot, and everyone is tired, can the return man just leisurely walk over to the ball? What if he takes two minutes to do this? Five minutes? An hour? Someone will eventually push the envelope and test this, and if they anticipated this, perhaps the time limit is already in the new rules. Is there a limit to the number who can be back to receive the ball? What if everyone is back so they can form the bocking wedge?

[@keith6706]

As soon as the ball touches the ground, everyone else can move.

[@nonewherelistens1906]

We've now devolved to Australian rules football?

[@thebenc1537]

Why not just give teams the ball at the 25? Thats the direction the NFL is headed, eliminating kickoffs completely.

[@calvin7330]

That's basically what happens now. This is an attempt to being real kickoffs back. At least they're trying to do something. Giving up suprise onside kicks in order to have kickoff returns without high injury risks is worth it

[@gavinpetty4036]

​@@calvin7330no it isn't

[@royconestoga7326]

@@gavinpetty4036It is for people who actually play or care about people that do. Someday someone will care about you little fella. Don’t give up hope.

[@ButterMilkPancakes]

Because they're not trying to get rid of kick offs, they're trying to lower the number of injuries while still maintaining special teams as an important position

[@thebenc1537]

@@ButterMilkPancakes Ater the first kickoff TD return teams will just kick it out of the endzone. Kickoffs are dead and punting is next.

[@user-hx6ck4lk4g]

Why didn’t they just implement: if the kickoff goes thru the uprights, kicking team gets points or retains the ball? I thought everyone wanted more points

[@America-First2024]

Overthinking…. Go back to kicking the ball from the 20 yard line. And leather helmets

[@ivdeadelendaest]

And like that kickoffs are now a glorified Oklahoma drill

[@Rastafarianinja]

You say that as if people hated Oklahoma drill 🤨

[@ivdeadelendaest]

@@Rastafarianinja you clearly weren't a lineman

[@Rastafarianinja]

@@ivdeadelendaest I played defensive tackle and guard, Oklahoma drill was my favorite lmao

[@Rastafarianinja]

@@ivdeadelendaest Oklahoma drill was my favorite because I rarely got the opportunity to lay the wood on someone in the open field, and sometimes my coaches would fuck around and let me carry the ball lol

[@goodmaro]

@@RastafarianinjaOklahomas are fun compared to most of the other stuff you'd do in practice, but pretty boring compared to how the game used to be.

[@donald3290]

I predict a ton of offsides penalty’s. Players moving before ball is catched

[@douglashill6125]

and I thought my idea was crazy of having the PAT score based on choosing to kick from the 10, the 20, the 30, the 40, or the 50 with corresponding points for each range 10 yards = 1, 20 yards = 2 points and so on. So a team could go for as much as 5 extra points on the PAT attempt. But a miss and the other team gets the ball from that spot or choose to receive it on a kickoff. Think about it before you get the straight jacket for me.

[@all_22_films]

Great video. Very solid work Hate the Kickoff change, it does nothing to improve player safety at all. Hey, let's add another 6-8 plays per game and put 19 or 20 players in a restricted space. Bold move, NFL. Physics can tell us how it's going to work out.

[@PigeonVR646]

luckily this is only a one-year experiment that will be done for the entirety of Season 59

[@gridironfanatic]

I beleive the changes for the kickoff is going to overall improve the kickoff, while there are some interesting things that you mentioned in the video that maybe a minus, but overall the pluses are greater, When I saw this last summer in what is now UFL, I really liked it. The NFL will have more returns, which is a very exciting play to watch and do it in a safer way.

[@just2lazy2name]

Idk, I'm looking forward to line drive squib kicks aimed at taking off returners heads. Players having to wait for the ball to drop means hangtime is a bad thing for the kicker now. Kickers goal is to bounce the ball into the landing zone and roll it out the endzone to place it at the 20. Returners just have to not muff a line drive.

[@TheFlutecart]

We will all feel less stress about missing the Kickoff when were late from the beer run.

[@ericheisler5351]

Gonna see a lot of pitches this year. And a lot of flags from the non returner coming across the line and delivering hard hits to guys not looking at him.

[@shawn4105]

I cant wait as it will be a more exciting play

[@abnmp7865]

I’d prefer the punt on a kickoff. Same rules as a punt (only two guys go on the hike) except the onside kick will be if the kicking team gains 15 yards they keep the ball. This will allow the surprise on-sides kick to stay alive and even a contested onside kick actually have a chance to succeed (there was only one successful last year). An added benefit is the receiving team can attempt to block the kick and get the ball.

[@paulrTX]

I get that the main concern with these constant rule chances is player safety but the fact is if this trend continues, it's only a matter of time before they get rid of the kickoff altogether and replace it with a soccer-style system where the team who has the ball will simply start at the 30-yd line or something. It's already almost looking like that with the constant touchbacks anyway.

[@Suhawk75]

Would be nice if the kicking team could move once the ball bounces. Means a awkward bounce gives the team a chance to recover a badly fielded ball/ put pressure more quickly

[@keith6706]

They can. They can move as soon as the ball is caught or hits the ground...or presumably someone on the line.

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

KC’s new rugby player may be perfect for getting some variation and breaking through the line on returns, and laterals are sure to be tried. I think Reid is going to put in some pitch plays this year and Rees is good on either end of that.

[@Rule1Railroading]

The formation needs to be adjusted to allow alleys for returners or this will be as dull as the touchback.

[@rjwalker4153]

It will take some getting used to, but something had to be done. Kicking out of the endzone was boring. At least it's been tested in the XFL.

[@RyTrapp0]

Sir, how did you miss, like, all of the updates under the *NFL Hybrid kickoff* - this isn't just a copy-paste of the XFL kickoff like you're describing. Essentially based on it, but a number of notable differences.

[@MyLibertyTV]

This kickoff design is actually better. What they killed was the defense being able to defense.

[@yom0msfat]

Defense was the best it’s been in years. Passing yards and rushing yards were way down.

[@PaulMcElligott]

The new NFL rules already call for two return men back in the landing zone.

[@roguenine9LU]

Onside kick is still available, it's the surprise onside that's gone.

[@NineballChris]

What i like about this new rule is if there is a kickoff touchdown then that is going to be way more exciting. :) We will see how well this does. If it bombs then they can always change it to something else or go back to the original rules.

[@erikpace336]

All Special Teams Coordinators came together, developed and signed off on this new rule. They are conservatively projecting an additional 1600 plays per season due to the significant (read HUGE) reduction in touchbacks. Pat McAfee did a full 20 min breakdown with Saints ST Coach a week or so ago. Well worth watching and not gonna be the dumpster fire some think it is. Weird because it is different, YES, but a huge positive for the league with a play that had died already. I don't know the full extent of what passed, but the proposal stated no more surprise Onside kicks (there haven't been more than 5 attempts per year for a half dozen or so years now).

[@wastedanguish9927]

They killed the kickoff return the year they put Devin Hester into the Hall of Fame. Gawd ,the NFL sucks today.

[@derrickodom7831]

Anybody not willing to give this a chance are probably the same people that are stuck in the “good ole days” and aren’t use to things evolving.

[@skippryne3204]

They keep changing something no fans were asking them to change.

[@MK-su6eg]

A kick off return has been the most exciting part of the GAME, they should keep the rules the same, just change the BALL for kickoffs and make it heavier or less likelier to land pass the end zone, Special ball for kickoffs to ensure a return . If ball enters end zone on the fly , 5yard penalty and rekick.

[@stevengonzales9870]

As a rugby fan I like it. Hoping teams will start using some more lateral play.

[@Customerbuilder]

As people stated, it's the 30 yard line for touchbacks. Based on the clips you played, it's a boring play that ends up between the 27 to the 33-yard lines, with no real returns. Why can't they just make them punts?

[@IAmTrash1995]

I wanna see madden add this.

[@spybloom]

NFL playing 5D chess to make EA actually spend time developing next year's Madden

[@Jiiggy-dn8fd]

@@spybloomthey’re just gonna remove kickoffs like they removed refs that one year 💀💀

[@duke927]

Adopt the Canadian rouge. A touchback you lose a point. Ball kicked through the end zone you lose a point. The only issue is the Canadian end zone is 20 yards deep. No kickoff. Just start the game on the 30 yard line. Watching a penalty on almost every kickoff return vs the occasional spectacular run got boring.

[@kurtissutley1485]

No more "on side" kick-offs?

[@jimtipton8888]

The NFL should have allowed the 2 on the right and left on the scrimmage line to be eligible receivers with the option to pass.

[@iwatchyt1881]

They could probably just move the ball back to where it was before 2012. This new change seems to just be a solution to the problem they created when they changed it the first time.

[@streetprofessor275]

I miss old school football

[@robertvirnig638]

Recent kickoff rules were absurd in a very boring way. They might as well just skip the kickoff and give the ball to the offense on the 25. The new rules seem to err in the opposite direction. The rules are deliberately complex and the kickoff will now be very chaotic and certain to lead to a lot of runbacks. Teams will be obligated to use their very best runner and risk injuring them. It also diminishes the need for a skilled kicker as it doesn't take much to kick within the zone and teams may opt for a better defender to kick the ball.

[@donlitt]

If they wanted more returns, they should have just moved the kicker back by ten yards

[@user-lj9fm1mw3o]

No inside kicks wtf that’s crazy man

[@GodLovesYou531]

This is going to be fun in madden lol

[@anubiam3004]

I'm lost, how is this killing a play that many would argue is already dead? Teams will no longer just boom it out of the endzone, they won't want to give up the field position. Staring at the 35 (I'd be fine if this was 40 too) is a great incentive to keep the ball in play!

[@teo_heel]

All I wish is CFL not changing their rules for kickoff. They have an awesome ruleset that shouldn't be changed.

[@saubriz]

I don’t believe it will make much of a difference since kickers nowadays can drill kickoffs almost through the goal posts anyways. Very few kickoffs don’t make it pass the goal line anyway

[@TAGtalkinaboutGod]

Little do you know it's about to become far more exciting. The only reason "fans" can't see it is because "fans" only watch the game. They don't really understand the nuances of the game....

[@mikeslater6246]

I stopped watching the NFL a few years ago. And these new rule changes are affirming my decision. It's unlikely I'll ever return.

[@paulpeterson4216]

Kickarus, what a great callback to 3000 years ago!!!

[@user-ey5mv5cp9d]

Don't watch near as much football since the excitement has been taken away. Give them a couple more years and football will b gone.

[@jandrew1994]

Teach your kicker to line-drive squib kick inside the 10, will almost always result in a touchback to the 20, not the 35 variety.

[@randy7928]

I think it's a Jumbo play now. A big body like Derrick Henry is who you'd want returning in this format.

[@rdubya7931]

Maybe have the kicking team can't move until the receiving team crosses the fifty yard line

[@thund3r94]

Honestly better to just take out kick offs all together and make it the 4th and 20 for “onside kicks”

[@richb1576]

Just get rid of the kickoff. Just start on the 30. While we are at it let’s outlaw the tackle. I mean the object is to eliminate injures. So no kick off and no tackles. Just wrap the guy up without taking him to the ground. No more 4th down field goal try if you’re past the 50. You automatically get the point unless you go for two. If you elect to punt theres no return. Wherever the ball stops is the starting position. If it goes in the end zone you start on the 30 and if it goes out of bounds you start on the 40. No more QB sneaks. To much of a chance for injury.

[@tomcatm16]

Rip gridiron. All hail Flag Football rules. All to chip away what was once a highly athletic team game... For celebrity participation trophies era today. I give both the kickoff and hip drop tackle 2 seasons before one is gone. Fans will leave once it starts looking like recent pro bowls.

[@vangtouxiong7853]

Then in this case, just kick it all the way to the end zone, so there wouldn't be returns, and no one couldn't move while the ball is moving should apply at/to the line of scrimmage too for the quarterback to run for more touch downs.

[@abc_12333]

No. The ball is placed at the 35 when kicked into the end zone.

[@vangtouxiong7853]

@@abc_12333 Yes, but, still, no one couldn't move until the ball is moving, so just kick it to the end zone then nobody has to run...hahaha...hehehe

[@user-TJ365]

It’s a dangerous game, that’s why they get paid the big $$$$$$. If I wanted to watch a bunch of guys dance around lightly bumping j to each other, I’d watch soccer. Rugby and hockey is all that’s left.