This offseason the NFL implemented the largest change to kickoff rules ever. It completely changes the way teams cover and block on kickoffs and returns.
First of all, the setup, which has the coverage team lining up at the return team’s 40-yard line. The landing zone for kickoffs is between the 20-yard-line and the end zone. And unlike previous rules, the coverage team doesn’t move with the kickoff of the ball. Now they can’t move until the ball reached the landing zone.
This is similar to the rules the XFL has, including the removal of the fair catch.
Raiders special teams coordinator Tom McMahon is really excited about the possibilities of these new rules and the creativity it opens up. Not to mention the increased value it places on special teams players.
“Very excited, and the players are excited,” said McMahon. “If you think about it, last year in the Super Bowl – I’ll just use that as an example – 13 touchbacks. Now it’s going to be 13 balls that are returned. So, returners are excited, and their value is going to skyrocket. . . The value skyrockets for the position players because now they’re covering every rep. So, the leading tackler in the league is going to probably go back to the early 2000s with 36 tackles on special teams, whereas it was only 16 tackles this last year. So, their value goes way up.”
What the NFL is hoping will be way down with these new rules are injuries.
“It’s very awkward to watch a ball hit and then be able to go,” McMahon continued. “And just remember within this play, what we want to do is take away space and speed. So, the 25-yard run is gone. And if you really think about what’s the biggest difference, just remember that last year at the 40-yard line, guys are going 19 to 21 miles an hour. We’re going zero. We’re going to zero, so we’re starting at nothing and you’re right there at about five yards. You’re waiting there to block me, so the collisions are at 7 miles an hour versus 19-20. So, it’s a big difference.”
The new rules will come with a considerable learning curve. Alignments have already changed just from the beginning of the offseason program to now based on feedback McMahon has gotten from both kicker Daniel Carlson as well as the return specialists.
This will be an ever evolving process too that will continue throughout the season.
“I’ll be honest with you, 100 percent of the season, because we’re going to steal ideas from other people,” said…
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