Orlando, Fla. (WGR 550) - The National Football League has passed a drastic and historic change to their kickoff rules, aiming to keep the play in the game while reducing injuries.
Here’s a basic summary of the new rules:
Play starts when the ball is either caught or hits the ground in the landing zone, or is returned from the end zone. Any kick that bounces from the landing zone into the end zone must be either returned or downed for a touchback, giving the receiving team the ball at their own 20-yard line.
If the kick fails to reach the landing zone in the air, the receiving team takes possession at their own 40-yard line. However, when the ball goes all the way to the end zone in the air, the receiving team can either return it, or down it and take possession at their own 30-yard line.
If the ball goes out of bounds, the receiving team takes possession at their own 40-yard line.
Onside kicks went under some change as well.
They are now only permitted in the fourth quarter, only when trailing in score, and must be declared. Then the kicking team can line up in an onside kick formation according to current onside kick rules.
After a safety or penalty, the setup and landing zones will not change, only the spot of the kick will change. Also, players can’t move until the ball hits the ground or a player in landing zone or end zone. The kicker can’t cross the 50-yard line until that happens as well.
Along with these changes, there are now no fair catches.
Finally, if the ball falls off the tee twice, a player on the kicking team will no longer hold the ball on the kick. The kicker can now use a kicking stick, and one of the officials will pick it up following the kick.
