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With preseason video games already underway within the 2024 NFL season, followers are attending to see what the brand new Dynamic Kickoff appears like in motion.
As followers have seen in these early cases, gamers are nonetheless attempting to get used to the brand new guidelines, not to mention followers attempting to grasp them at residence.
So, earlier than each play begins to essentially rely within the NFL season, let’s break down how the brand new kickoff, “borrowed” from the XFL, will play out.
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New NFL kick-off guidelines are in place in the course of the opening kick-off of the Rams recreation in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times by way of Getty Images)
Setting it up
First, the ball continues to be to be kicked from the staff’s personal 35-yard line, and kicks following a security will probably be from the 20-yard line. That a part of the kickoff has not modified, however the alignment is vastly completely different.
As followers could have seen throughout preseason video games, all kicking staff gamers will probably be lined up with one foot on the receiving staff’s 40-yard line. However, not like the same old begin of movement after the kicker makes contact with the soccer, the kicking staff gamers should wait till the ball hits the bottom or the participant within the touchdown zone or finish zone.
The touchdown zone is from the receiving staff’s 20-yard line till the objective line.
NFL OWNERS APPROVE MASSIVE OVERHAUL OF KICKOFF RULES
For the receiving staff, their “setup zone” will probably be a five-yard space from the 35-yard line to the 30-yard line, the place no less than 9 gamers should line up going through the kicking staff.
There, no less than seven of these 9 gamers should have a foot on the 35-yard line. Those not on the 35-yard line will should be within the setup zone exterior the hash marks. Additionally, just like the kicking staff, the receiving staff gamers can not transfer till the kick has hit the bottom or a participant within the touchdown zone or the tip zone.
Finally, there can solely be a most of two returners throughout these kickoffs, and they’re free to maneuver at any level in the course of the play.
Landing zone, defined
The touchdown zone, once more from the objective line to the 20-yard line, offers some completely different guidelines that particular groups coordinators will attempt to use to their benefit as a substitute of blasting the ball out of bounds each time.
First, NFL followers know what occurs when the ball is kicked out of the again of the tip zone and the identical factor applies right here: touchback. However, the ball will probably be noticed on the 30-yard line – not the 25.
Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith, #1, returns a kickoff in the course of the NFL Preseason recreation between the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 11, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images)
For the return staff, although, any kick that hits inside the touchdown zone should be returned. However, if it hits within the touchdown zone and goes again into the tip zone, the receiving staff has the selection to down it and the ball will probably be positioned on the 20-yard line.
If a kick hits the tip zone, stays in bounds and is dominated a touchback, the ball will probably be positioned on the 30-yard line. The identical counts for the ball flying out the again of the tip zone within the air or bouncing.
What is the rationale for the completely different touchbacks? Promoting extra returns.
Also, any kick that falls in need of the touchdown zone will probably be handled just like the kick went out of bounds, that means the ball is noticed on the 40-yard line for the offense to start out its drive. In quick, kickers have to keep away from this in any respect prices.
Because of the touchdown zone, kickers could also be targeted extra on precision than power with their kickoffs to make sure the receiving staff runs them again to enhance ball placement.
Fans have already seen particular groups coordinators attempting to bend their methods a bit this preseason to see what may work.
What about penalties?
There are many cases in the course of the NFL season the place penalties are enforced throughout kickoffs.
How does that have an effect on particular groups on this new dynamic format? Well, the identical thought course of applies by way of encouraging returns.
The setup zone and touchdown zone won’t change for kickoffs. Instead, solely the spot of the kick will probably be affected.
Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders gamers line up for the kickoff within the second half of the preseason recreation at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 10, 2024 in Minneapolis. The NFL is debuting a brand new rule on kickoffs this season. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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So, the kicker would be the just one shifting again from the 35-yard line. In flip, it’s going to make it tougher for him to get the ball contained in the touchdown zone, however the different gamers on the sector are of their regular sports activities.
What can be completely different is that penalties on scoring performs won’t carry over. Instead, will probably be taken on the attempt try for one or two factors.
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