The NFL's New Kickoff Will Blow Your Mind

[@TheAliasGaming]

This is really cool content for the offseason that I don't think I've seen anybody break down so thoroughly. I kept hearing people say the NFL changed some elements of this when adopting it and I was curious which parts were different. I think the main change that worries me is the "kicks that hit the landing zone and go straight through the back of the end zone will be placed on the 30". Maybe I'm misinterpreting that, in that it has to be one bounce or something, or underrating kicker's abilities to place it in the landing without too harsh of a forward bounce, but I fear the incentive for returners to let it bounce past them for a 30yd touchback is so appealing that the return rate with this version won't be nearly as high. With the XFL's only granting you the 15, it really felt like there was no downside for taking the return, which I think contributed to the high rate.

[@rayparks6008]

I think it's a live ball, like it used to be. Can't just let it bounce.

[@JohnBruininks]

Achane & Wright could be terrifying in the KR

[@benjaminbreeg6367]

I was thinking Gibbs and Jamo.

[@tomedelkowski6567]

@@benjaminbreeg6367 Duverney and Shipley also

[@cameronzwicke5761]

Nope, no team is going to risk their star players getting injured on kickoffs.

[@elbenjas4003]

Fields as well

[@cnelsonlv99]

Not sure I'd want to see Achane back there, but could definitely see Wright in that role. Miami also seems to be considering the use of O-linemen for kickoff returns, since they have guys who are athletic enough to fit the role.

[@user-qy7tw1eb1x]

This was a great subject as it is such an unknown on strategies taken and impact at the NFL level! It will be fun to see it’s impact as well as if it will undergo further changes now that the NFL is using the format.

[@Thoughtpologetics]

Why are they always F’ing with kickers… We don’t get to the 4th quarter and are like OK the quarterback can only throw with his opposite hand… Changed the extra point distance, changed the onside rules (for the worse), changed kick offs entirely and now for some ridiculous reason said you can only onside kick in the 4th… It ain’t broke… how does limiting onside kicks to only the 4 make things safer or more exciting

[@RangerTim28]

exactly what I was thinking. Kickers are getting better, but so are all positions. killing the onside kick is crazy. I think this is going to backfire when the returned kick is dramatically increased.

[@TacoTuesday4]

This is to kill any loop hole in the rules around this lineup. Outside of a surprise onside kick which is already incredibly rare, they just don’t happen at all outside the fourth quarter.

[@theconsigliere2301]

I wonder how quickly the NFL teams promote their OLine Coaches to Special Teams Head. Seems like the blocking will be significantly more important than before.

[@paulwesner9615]

My mom always told me my team was special

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

So will teams adjust and just figure out ways to avoid this? Maybe just take touchbacks ?

[@txpolitix]

How about put tremendous backspin on a short kick right in the landing zone and try to bounce it way up high in the air coming back toward the kicker, and recover the ball??! Am I crazy?

[@tjmoon1857]

Might work if it was a golfball XD

[@txpolitix]

@@tjmoon1857 embrace the awkward bounce. The more chaos, the better chance to recover?! 😆Naw I think its considered onside so not allowed til 4th. But I feel like in the 4th... all my kicks are this

[@cameronzwicke5761]

​@@txpolitixif it lands in the landing zone, it is not an onside kick.

[@GoBoltsGo]

@@txpolitix it’s only a traditional on sidekick that is not allowed until the fourth. A kick sent downfield is not an onside kick, even if it’s recovered by the kicking team.

[@tkk85]

I have questions. Can the second returner (who didn't receive the ball) start running to block before the ball is touched? And can you have offensive linemen? And is the ball live if no one touches it? If the ball hits the landing zone and ends up in the endzone do you have to return it? Could the returner kick the ball backwards or our of bounds, or if not would a muff that goes out of the back of the endzone be a safety or a touchback for the kicking team?

[@markroberts2277]

I was wondering during the Hall of fame game if this new rule was from the XFL. Thanks for answering my question.

[@richardsantos4706]

What happens if the kickoff hits someone, if you can't move till the ball reaches the zone how does someone avoid a low line drive kick

[@ta192utube]

Or, the player on the line catches such a kick. Valid? Seems so.

[@a-atheist]

I bet this is going to cause alot more injuries because previously there was less contact because of a ton of fair catching.

[@mikechesmer5682]

No more onside kicks? How can a team trying to catchup late in a game and scores try and get the ball back with an onside kick?

[@naptown9672]

Trailing team can still do onside kicks in the 4th quarter.

[@SurferRC]

Yeah it sucks! The surprise onside was the best!

[@cnelsonlv99]

Onside kicks are still allowed in the 4th quarter.

[@cnelsonlv99]

@@SurferRC Teams almost never tried onside kicks anymore, and if they did, it almost never worked. People just remember those extremely rare times when it did.

[@edgartoepel7473]

The NFL has been around for over 100 years now and still can't figure out how to play the game.

[@loganmanderfield1162]

It's constantly evolving. Always has been.

[@ccbcco]

No more onside kicks???

[@aaronproctor1736]

Onside kicks are still in the League; however, they now are only permitted in the 4th Qrt. Most be announced prior to before attempted and only the team trailing are permitted to do it.

[@SurferRC]

Yeah sux! The surprise onside was the best!

[@timmarks8239]

I feel like maybe conceivably potentially if everything goes to potential plan, that this is the most watered-down take I have ever heard to some extent for some teams against some opponents. Literal quote: "Do I think that maybe, like, the intentions of the rule, some of it is gonna come to fruition... I feel like there's a chance that the best units really are able to push some of those teams' starting positions..."

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

@@timmarks8239 😂🤣😂

[@bryange7747]

The comments under this video are crazyyyyyy

[@kody6921]

Yes, the (20 whole comments) are my king, please, show us peasants the way

[@montarakid1943]

Had yet to look into this myself. Thanks for giving me a quick education.

[@rayparks6008]

What happens if the ball doesnt make it far enough. Maybe someone has already answered.

[@cnelsonlv99]

The offense starts with the ball on the 40-yard line.

[@jackoshea687]

Is the ball lands in the zone is it a live ball Weather the receiving team touches it or not

[@JohnVDenley]

Just watched some of the vikings preseason game and I had no idea about this rule and so I was instantly thinking WTAF is going on! Lol The couple I did see looked a bit messy And definitely weird. But they did seem to be playing it as intended, and it did look like it will be a lot of fun!

[@RockPolitics]

I think they should spin like on Wheel of Fortune, and whatever number they land on is their starting field position. Maybe also flip a coin to see whether or not there was a penalty for illegal block in the back.

[@WeekendWisdom]

What about starting the kick with a well placed punt. Is there a requirement that this be kicked from a kicking tee?

[@ta192utube]

Struck me as a possible/likely strategy

[@jeffthevideoguy23]

This is going to decrease yardage for RBs and receivers if the ball starts at the 30 or 40.

[@ARSP33LS]

But it'll increase odds of RBs and Wars scoring TDs too

[@calebstangl9224]

I'd say there will be a lot more starting positions under 25 as well, as there will be a lot more kicks returned and subsequently tackle early. So it might even out

[@GardenHood]

This is a Derek henry comment

[@bsmith8943]

Hate it. Too many changes to a sport that was awesome.

[@neonmarblerust]

Probably the biggest change since the 2-point conversion

[@Happi60]

What a Polish kickoff. I don't think we'll see any returns for touchdowns this year. They're lining up almost as close as an offense and defense do and informing the other team of an onside kick is like telling the other team your offensive plays. When I first seen this, I'm like, "This is will be boring."

[@findingtheFOOT]

My thoughts, there are to going to be record TD returns through the first couple weeks. But by week 4 or 5, teams will just resort to touchbacks again, wont be worth the risk to allow a return

[@BatmanBoss]

Thanks guys

[@gregoryjohnson83]

Instead of Kicker should there be a special teams draft spot that includes both kicker and punt return td?

[@rockofarsaycomedy3544]

One of my leagues gives return yards for players and DST. Rasheed shaheed is gonna be my guy this year Any other players ?

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

Keep an eye on depth charts as preseason unfolds but as of right now other players that look like good targets for leagues like that include Shakir and Mims as well as Shaheed. There could also be others and RBs as well. I will be targeting the players that could be dual threats . ie - WRs 2's and kick returners.

[@rockofarsaycomedy3544]

@@d.j.cantelli8074 exactly - the kid that had shaheed LY was literally a easy 10points minimum based off return yards alone most weeks + his receiving work. I’m gonna do that exactly and look again other potential steals w players like you mentioned . Only 3-4 out of the 12 guys last year picked up on the importance and glitch it gives your team to pickup someone like that

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

@@rockofarsaycomedy3544 it could be a potential silver bullet this year. I was basically the only owner who picked up on it last year. It will be interesting to see how it plays out and just how big it ends up being.

[@cameronzwicke5761]

I'm thinking Guerendo from the 49ers word is he's going to be a return man. Does Patterson still play?

[@rockofarsaycomedy3544]

@@cameronzwicke5761 yeah but gurendo will do that only, he won’t hve any game impact I’m looking for return man and gets on the field

[@jubgpodcast]

Muffs won't likely result in a lot of turnovers, because there's not enough time to get the takeaway, but it will result in poorer field position.

[@tannerlindsey667]

Will kick return points count towards a players total in underdog tournaments?

[@DavidTOBerry]

Maybe tight-ends as well for multi-tool? It would seem like broken field capable players with burst speed are the ideal folks here...folks like Kadarius Toney, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Duvernay, Ray Ray McCloud, Nyheim Hynes, Tyreek, Pacheco, and some other freaks who we don't even pay much attention to right now.

[@keithlucero6207]

Makes no sense! Kick the ball out of the end zone every time - it’s not the kick out itself- it’s getting good field position - make my opponent go 70 yards versus 50 or less-

[@cnelsonlv99]

Yea but if you can bounce it inside the 20-yard line, they'll most likely be starting from inside the 25, and sometimes inside the 15.

[@amelierenoncule]

George Halas is laughing and 'flipping the bird' at today's NFL.

[@wonkawarrior]

It's a dirty job but someone's got to do it 😂 thanks Shawn! 🙏

[@HoosierDEVO5]

McAfee and the BOOM stick need to come outta retirement! Great breakdown video! Great article!

[@CookDaddy29]

Samaje Perine seems like the perfect blocker for this. I want him back on the Bengals so bad I bet he stays a Bronco. Skills seem a little different & more important. It will definitely add advantage for teams that can take advantage

[@tywildes]

There's going to be a lot of holding calls.

[@FedorMachida]

We had a record low in returns last year, which saves brain cells. Why change that and possible create more CTE trauma, from this stupid change? Plus, it is going to make every game 35-30. That is boring. Not everyone wants to see all Offense. I like defensive games too. Bunch of bs, imo Also, defenses will probably we worthless on fantasy football. We should just take out the defensive slot add another flex player, or bench spot.

[@bryange7747]

@@FedorMachida the players are literally lined up 5 yards away from each other in this new format… how the fuck do you expect more CTE trauma from this change comparing to the old format??? If you think this format is “dangerous”, all football plays are “dangerous” because they involve dudes hitting each other close to line of scrimmage. Don’t think you understand what’s going on here lol.😂

[@howardmighty6764]

No one cares about CTE or defense

[@TheAliasGaming]

The XFL had no reported concussions with close to this format. That's the point of them lining up closer together. There will be slower speed collisions. There was also only one TD in 400 tries, as well as a lower average return yardage (26ish in the NFL compared to like 21 in the XFL I think). There are just more total returns, making kickoffs not a dead play that the broadcast wastes time on. Especially with the bounce in the landing zone quirk with the NFL's version, I think teams could be starting deeper into their own side of the field more often and this rule change could actually cause a dip in overall scoring, so I think your reading of this is misinformed and pessimistic.

[@VaperWare]

So passionate about this. 👀

[@colesmith193]

It’s entertainment, the majority of people want to see action. The kickoff was basically pointless the last couple years.

[@sammiret4472]

Just kick it in the end zone. Screw the new rule

[@johnthreefifteen]

So there is no onside kick

[@Robau1]

Bo Jackson would have a great time with the rules changes in kickoffs.

[@cameronzwicke5761]

Barry Sanders as well, he was great at making multiple people miss.

[@GardenHood]

Dex mccluster❤

[@RangerTim28]

I am curious to see this out. I actually think the return team is going to have a huge advantage in the NFL. The kicker is out of the play, so 10 v 11. The special teams play is so much better in the nfl. wouldn't be surprised to see record returned touchdowns this year. Also wouldn't be surprised if I'm completely wrong, lol

[@logansparks2971]

okay so what players should we be targeting for leagues with good kick return points lol

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

@@logansparks2971 I am targeting the following players ....Shakir, Shaheed, Mims. All are worth "reaching" for a round early if you are in a league that awards points for return yardage. The key is they will all also have a role in the passing game so they are dual threats.

[@douglashanlon1975]

I wonder if this will increase or decrease fourth and long going for it depending on being up or down in the score?

[@danieldardaman7745]

I am excited to see if the chiefs try Kadarius Toney as a returner. Could be chaos

[@tomedelkowski6567]

what happend, if the ball hits the zone and goes out of bounds? or lands in the endzone after bouncing and secure by kick returner? Touchdown? Had the returner go into a tackle or is he allowed to slide, if he cant get out of the field?

[@cameronzwicke5761]

Out of bounds goes to the 40 like always.

[@tomedelkowski6567]

@@cameronzwicke5761 directly out of bounds, but if the ball hits the new kickoff zone? or is this only at punting?

[@cnelsonlv99]

@@tomedelkowski6567 Once the ball goes into the endzone it is an automatic touchback, just like before. The offense starts with the ball on the 30-yard line, if I'm not mistaken. Doesn't matter if it does out of bounds, if it has already crossed into the endzone.

[@sammiret4472]

I really hope all of the coaches just kick it into the end zone. This is STUPID!

[@ChristianW0lff]

I’m going under hunting on week 1… This is going to affect stats in a MAJOR way… Also probably a reason they did it smh… Last year it was the 842 QBs that got play time… The game was too consistent as is…

[@d.j.cantelli8074]

@@ChristianW0lff it will be interesting but my feeling is the only way to find consistent and predictable value from this in FF terms is if you are in a league that awards points for return yardage (which I am). In those cases I am not waiting for week one but rather targeting dual threat players in the draft...Shakir, Shaheed, Mims, etc.

[@byronbrown5008]

I'm curious which team will a slew of fast linemen / TE's / and FB's to create a ridiculous blocking scheme. Which teams will realize that each game needs DIFFERENT special teamers to match up with each team's unique group of blockers.

[@cnelsonlv99]

Miami. They were doing it in their scrimmage with the Falcons yesterday.

[@AJCsr]

30:35 Seeing how, over the years, the NFL has become so greed driven, they've moved to showing commercials instead of kickoffs, where will they make up for the lost add revenues of now having to show kickoffs again ?

[@MrNetnut]

Can You Show It On film ?

[@littlebigband2010]

To me the taking away the surprises inside kick is a big mistake

[@spiritofdetroitpodcast]

hey man we gotta work - how can i get with you to do a livestream.

[@sammiret4472]

You're not stuck, you knee it, play over. The NFL screwed up the kickoff a few years ago. They need to go back. This is horrible!

[@king6dutch]

Honestly I can't wait to see what some of the creative coaches do with this. McDaniel kick returns could be something to watch. Coaching teams I should have said.

[@christopher1367]

Can the returner punt the ball forward during a return? Like in rugby? Thinking specifically about the rugby guy the chiefs brought in

[@whethan1546]

A grub would probably be considered a fumble and as far as I know fumbling forward/punting is legal at any point in any play, however a football is almost impossible to grub with accuracy because of its pointed edges, trying to grub a football would be a turnover 99% of the time. Also the structure of the game makes it unnecessary (besides end of halves) because if you’re in open field enough to attempt a grub you probably can just get the first down by running, without any incentive to extend the play.

[@samwroblewski748]

Opposing player needs to touch the ball

[@GardenHood]

No 😅

[@cnelsonlv99]

No... of course not! It is illegal for any non-kicker to kick the football at any time in a football game.

[@cnelsonlv99]

@@whethan1546 Every thing you typed in that post was wrong. It is always illegal for a player to kick the football in a football game, unless it is the kicker on a kickoff, FG or punt. There's not such thing as a grub in football. This isn't rugby!

[@sammiret4472]

Just move the kickoff back to the 30 to promote returns and end the idiotic gimmicks. In the meantime, kick it through the end zone.

[@spaffron4285]

Shaheed going to win me a championship

[@scattau41]

How many points are optimal to award for return yards for individual players? (Not D/ST)

[@cameronzwicke5761]

I would go 1/2 point per 20 return yards. Maybe a full point but that could be too much.

[@scattau41]

@@cameronzwicke5761 good take, thanks. I got it set right now at 25 yards per point so we’ll see if that’s too much.

[@robertscudder7856]

Then just kick it out of the end zone every single time. This rule is stupid. As a coach I would never take the chance on a run back and I'd make him work for it.

[@RubsForeheadXTwo]

D/ST is now relevant on DFS. Draft kings, Fanduel.

[@matbettez3495]

I think they'll can it after this year after 3 or 4 guys from each team get injured. The NFL wanted speed therefore more lightweight, smaller players are in the League and those type of bodies get injured at much higher rate

[@slimpickens9103]

If there’s over a hundred injuries of course they will drop this they can’t have a regression in safety but with the changes in how players tackle I don’t see that many injuries happen.

[@dominickcorsoe5543]

Why not just move the ball back further on the kick off

[@MrMmitsch]

My league already randomly had 1 point for every 20 pr/kr yards. I’m scared

[@robertmiranda2444]

Want to make Football great again, Roll back the rules 50 years.

[@loganmanderfield1162]

Football has been evolving forever though. The forward pass used to be non-existent.

[@PNW_STEFF]

League of field goals

[@TheHoff305]

D/ST is now a relevant, esp the ST part!

[@starpartyguy5605]

Teams are all going to kick it through the end zone and let the opponent get the ball on the 40. Better than giving up a big play, possibly for a touchdown.

[@cnelsonlv99]

If you kick it through the endzone, the offense gets the ball on the 30, not the 40. They get it on the 40 if you kick it out of bounds or it doesn't reach the 20-yard line.

[@HoosierDEVO5]

I also know understand why the Colts have such a large TE room.

[@cameronzwicke5761]

49ers too

[@grazynazambeanie5963]

Hey you guys , we're going to surprise you with an onside kick . So act surprised, okay ?

[@ibmgrunt]

No more on-side kicks!!

[@Field_Marshall]

Roger Goodell seems to always screw up the NFL for his own good. Since he’s been commissioner the NFL has changed 100 percent. Making the league unwatchable.

[@JHobartMusic72]

They need to make a touch back result in such ridiculous field position for the receiving team that it eliminates just kicking touchbacks all the time. Go ahead kick it in the end zone.. receiving team starts on the 50. Fk off Something like that 😂😂😂😂

[@mikerash-pc4jc]

What is next nfl soccer?

[@kgbinc.1545]

There was the rumor that the Steelers could use Justin Fields as a returner, which I don’t believe. But what if a team used a speedy backup QB back there and had him run all the way to one side and try to catch the kicking team over pursuing and he then throws a backwards pass all the way to the other side to either the other returner or maybe even a fast guy as a blocker leaks back to catch the lateral to make it less obvious? Similar to the Music City Miracle of 2000 but even a longer throw. Sounds risky but maybe in a desperate situation?

[@EBHS230DE]

Bro. They were saying they were considering it and I thought it was just being disrespectful but this actually makes a ton of sense

[@gregarioussolitudinist5695]

NASCAR comes to mind. that went so well I can see why the NFL wants to see their ratings plummmet, too. I am okay with that, stopped watching years ago.

[@chrism6880]

Idk if its the lighting, bad makeup, or both, but dude on the right is absolutely terrifying.

[@BostonTerrierDad623]

You know who made a killing with these ko return concepts & blocking schemes for DECADES don’t you?! None other than the STs genius Frank Beamer. In fact, he is the reason many of these rules are in place today (removal of wedges - and the oft used wedge busters

[@tysalter1489]

15:55 AYO PAUSE

[@jessedraeger1221]

Shawn has some mean hair. Keep it young, Shawn!

[@grazynazambeanie5963]

Only thing they had to do was cancel the fair catch . This is just dumb .

[@JamesDignanFB]

Love the content but the bots in the comments are absurd

[@Hiujh-f5m]

Allen Deborah Gonzalez Deborah Perez Donald

[@klinkadink1345]

Didn't watch the vid yet but i'm gonna guess that RBs get a boost because of shorter fields?

[@cameronzwicke5761]

Nope

[@jsk910]

after watching HOF game the kickoff junk is terrible no drama now totally boring

[@JoshandHayden]

I doubt teams are showing their hand in the preseason

[@EstherCampbell-p1k]

Johnson Melissa Wilson Larry Clark Scott

[@jamesdelaney3797]

This is the 1st NFL rule change I'm going to enjoy

[@scattau41]

VELUS JONES’ CAREER IS SAVED

[@ZalexMusic]

Face Enhance: 11

[@JimwombatLand]

Even the NFL has gone WOLK ..

[@SurferRC]

No more surprise onsides is horrible

[@cnelsonlv99]

Really? This is what you looked forward to it NFL games? It happens about once every 3 weeks, and almost never works. For every 100 games played, there was maybe one successful onside kick attempt. It's hard to imagine how someone could get worked up that "surprise onsides" are now removed from the game.

[@SuperLeroy66]

Seems like a great way to lose a parlay.

[@wurmhat1501]

So they took a part of the game that already had no action and made it have even less action. Good job NFL 🤦‍♂️

[@johngoss3997]

Skill aside, the XFL is just a more entertaining product. Ka-Kaw.

[@ACT1ON_JACKSON]

It's not.

[@cameronzwicke5761]

Not even close, nobody likes to watch smaller, slower, average players. It was the practice squad league.

[@johngoss3997]

@@cameronzwicke5761 can you read?

[@bl00dyb0nes]

This shit plus the onside kick bullshit is corny as hell

[@mitchsmidt7936]

In NFL Best Ball, do players get points for return TDs?

[@GardenHood]

Na

[@mikerash-pc4jc]

This new kickoff rule has ruined football. The next rule change will be to convert football to flag football in order to stop pays medical for players. QB ‘a sure don’t need high salaries now. They can start making 600,000 instead of 60,000,000. This new rule change just got rid of the need for special teams. Reason because the kickoff is not special. But, it is stupid.

[@cnelsonlv99]

Last year there was basically no kickoff... at least no kickoff returns. How does this rule ruin the game? Why are QBs now useless, and no need for special teams? Sounds like you don't actually watch football, or else don't understand the rule change.

[@mikerash-pc4jc]

@@cnelsonlv99 It belongs with flag football. Football was the grid iron. No longer. I won’t pay 80. To sit and watch this flag football. Check attendance after the year is over. Special teams no longer needed. The kickoff will just be five downs instead of four. The current owner will finish off football. Cricket, cricket, and soccer will be next.