What you should know about the new dynamic kick-off and why

With the new dynamic kickoff rules, the NFL has made the biggest change to kickoff in recent history.

The new format, with its unique lineups, is designed to limit injuries while encouraging the return of players, but it will take some time for fans to get used to.

The overall impact of the rules in terms of an increase remains to be seen. But the NFL is trying something new.

Here's what you need to know about the NFL's new kickoff rules:

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What are the NFL's new kickoff rules?

The first thing fans notice are the formations.

The line-up of the kicking team must be as follows:

The 10 players must line up at the 40-yard line of the returning team and must not leave the game.
The kicker stands alone on the 35-yard line of the kicking team.

The recovery team must be composed as follows:

At least seven players on the returning team’s 35-yard line.
At least two players on the returning team’s 30-yard line.
No more than two players in the landing zone between the 20-yard line and the goal line.

On the rules for the landing zone and touchbacks:

Players are not allowed to move until the ball is received by the receiver or hits the ground.
The kickoff must reach at least the 20-yard line and the ball must be returned if it lands between the 20-yard line and the goal line.
If the ball lands in the end zone, the returning team can choose to touchback to their own 30-yard line or return it. If the ball is kicked through the end zone, the returning team has a touchback to their own 30-yard line.
If the ball lands in the landing zone but rolls into the end zone, the touchback occurs to the returning team's 20-yard line.
If the kickoff goes out of bounds or does not reach the 20-yard line, the game is called as soon as the ball lands and the receiving team gets the ball at its own 40-yard line.

Why do players start so far forward in these dynamic kickoffs?

The NFL's goal is to have more competitive kickoff returns in a safer environment, and the health aspect is important. The kicker's team players stand at the returner's team's 40-yard line, and the returner's team players stay at their own 30- and 35-yard lines until the returner receives the ball. This is designed to reduce high-speed collisions.

What about onside kicks?

The kicking team must declare in advance that they are attempting an onside kick. Otherwise, the current onside kick rules remain unchanged.

Why were these changes made?

The injury factor was mentioned in an earlier section, but the competitive rationale is to motivate teams to return kickoffs more often without 11 players from one team having to sprint to absorb contact from 11 players from the other team.

After two regular-season games, the results aren't quite as planned. In Chiefs-Ravens, Kansas City opted to touchback all six kickoffs, while Baltimore had touchbacks on three of five kickoffs. In Packers-Eagles, the two teams combined for 10 touchbacks on 13 kickoffs. The NFL said this offseason that 22% of kickoffs will be returned in 2023, and the rate after two regular-season games in 2024 is 21%.

What you should know about the new dynamic kick-off and why

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