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NFL Adopts New Kickoff Format Inspired by XFL

NFL Adopts New Kickoff Format Inspired by XFL

March 26, 2024

NFL owners have approved new rules changes on Tuesday that are expected to make kickoffs more exciting, as opposed to the ceremonial event they have become in recent years.

Owners approved the hybrid kickoff rule by a 29-3 vote, according to NFL.com, with a goal of balancing the health and safety of the players with a need to reinvigorate this aspect of the game. The biggest change fans will notice is that most players on both teams must remain static until the ball hits the ground or a player.

“Kickoffs will remain at the 35-yard line, but the remaining 10 players on the kicking unit will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line. The receiving team lines up with at least seven players in the “set-up zone,” a five-yard area between their own 35- and 30-yard lines, with a maximum of two returners can line up in the landing zone.

“After the ball is kicked, the kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line and the 10 kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or goes into the end zone. The receiving team’s players in the set-up zone also cannot move until the kick has hit the ground or a player in the landing zone or the end zone. The returner(s) may move at any time before or during the kickoff.”

These new rules are for one season, with the possibility of renewal in 2025. The format originated in the XFL.

In a surprising move, the NFL has announced that it will be adopting a new kickoff format inspired by the XFL. The XFL, a now-defunct professional football league known for its innovative rules and gameplay, introduced a unique kickoff format in its short-lived season in 2020. The NFL’s decision to incorporate elements of the XFL’s kickoff format is a bold move that has sparked both excitement and skepticism among fans and players alike.

The new kickoff format will feature several key changes from the traditional kickoff rules in the NFL. One of the most notable changes is the positioning of the players on the field. In the XFL’s kickoff format, the kicking team lines up on their own 30-yard line, while the receiving team lines up on the opposing 35-yard line. This setup is intended to create more space between the two teams and reduce the likelihood of high-speed collisions, which are common on traditional kickoffs.

Another significant change in the new kickoff format is the elimination of the wedge formation, which has been a staple of NFL kickoffs for decades. The wedge formation involves several players from the receiving team forming a wall to block incoming defenders, but it has been linked to a higher risk of injuries. By removing the wedge formation, the NFL hopes to make kickoffs safer for players while still maintaining the excitement and strategic elements of the play.

Additionally, the new kickoff format will allow for more opportunities for onside kicks, which have become increasingly difficult to execute under the current NFL rules. In the XFL’s kickoff format, the kicking team must have at least five players on each side of the ball, which opens up new possibilities for creative onside kick strategies. This change could lead to more dramatic comebacks and game-changing plays in crucial moments of a game.

Overall, the NFL’s decision to adopt a new kickoff format inspired by the XFL is a bold step towards improving player safety and enhancing the excitement of special teams plays. While some fans may be hesitant to embrace these changes, others see it as a positive evolution of the game that will keep football fresh and engaging for years to come. Only time will tell how successful the new kickoff format will be, but one thing is certain: football fans can expect to see some exciting changes on kickoffs in the upcoming NFL season.