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How the new kickoff rule impacts the NFL

How the new kickoff rule impacts the NFL

Aug 14, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns kicker Cody Parkey (2) kicks off in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The ball is kicked from the kicking team’s 35-yard line on kickoffs, and the 20-yard line on safety kicks. 

The kicking team is aligned at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. The receiving team has a 5-yard area called the “Setup Zone” between their 35 and 30-yard line. The receiving team must have at least 9 players in the zone. At least seven players must have their foot on the 35-yard line, referred to as the “restraining line”. Players not on the restraining line must be lined up outside the hash marks inside the Setup Zone. A team can have two returners in the “Landing zone”, the area between the goal line and the receiving team’s 20-yard line.

Players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or a player is in the landing, or end zone. The kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until the ball hits the ground, or a player in the landing or end zone. 

Any kick that hits the landing zone must be returned. If the ball hits the landing zone and bounces into the end zone then the receiving team must return the ball, or down the ball which will advance the ball to the receiving team’s 20-yard line. Regardless of bouncing, any kick that goes through the back of the end zone will touch back at the receiving team’s 30-yard line. Any kick that lands in the end zone without bouncing will be advanced to the receiving team’s 30-yard line. A kick that lands short of the landing zone will be touch-backed at the receiving team’s 40-yard line.

Any penalty enforced on the kickoff will only change the position of the kicker. The Setup and Landing zone will not change due to a penalty. Penalties on scoring plays will no longer carry over to kickoffs. 

Onside kicks can be attempted during the 4th quarter by the trailing team. They must declare the onside kick before the kick. The prior onside kick rules would then apply.

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