ORLANDO, Fla. — NFL owners approved major improvements to kickoff play Tuesday, choosing the XFL-originated format after three days of discussion at the league's annual meeting.
The new adjustment rules are the NFL's most significant on-field rules changes in years, and are designed to reverse return rates that have been declining for more than a decade while also lowering concussion rates. Essentially, this format moves the majority of the kicking and return teams downfield to minimize high-speed collisions. It is valid for one year only, allowing for possible adjustments over time.
During the 2024 season, the kicker will continue to kick from the 35-yard line, but the other 10 players on the kickoff team will line up on the receiving team's 40-yard line. At least nine members of the returning team will line up in the “setup zone” between the 35-yard line and the 30-yard line. Up to two returners can line up in the “landing zone” between the goal line and the 20-yard line.
No one except the kicker and returner may move until the ball hits the ground or a player within the landing zone. A touchback will mark him at the 30-yard line and a fair catch will not be allowed. If a team wants to attempt an onside kick, it would have to notify officials of its intent and would then be allowed to use the NFL's traditional formation. Surprise onside kicks are not allowed.
This proposal follows the structure and philosophy of the XFL version, but with some changes to player placement. In the XFL, they lined up more downfield, between the returning team's 30-yard line and 35-yard line. During his two seasons in the XFL, more than 90% of his kickoffs were returned. His team's NFL special coaches, who participated in designing his NFL version of this format, expect at least an 80% return rate in 2024.
The reason for the change is obvious. In an effort to reduce concussions during kickoffs, the NFL has implemented rule changes over the past 15 seasons aimed at reducing returns. It moved kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line, banned wedges and double-team blocks, and created a rule that would allow fair catches at the 25-yard line in 2023.
Touchback rates increased dramatically during this period, and in 2023, the return rate dropped to a league-record 21.7%. The number of concussions decreased as well, but only in parallel with the decrease in returns. League officials say the rate of concussions per kickoff remains relatively constant.
Detroit Lions manager Dan Campbell said before the vote that he was in favor of it.
“You felt like it took a fair amount of plays out of the game, and those were from special teams. And you can't really make it up anywhere else. So we put emphasis on it. So I believe in it. “
On Monday, owners approved three other rule changes.
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Swivel hip drop tackle technique is prohibited.
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Allows a team to take a third challenge after successfully completing one challenge. Previously, he had to succeed in two challenges for the team to earn his third challenge. This proposal was submitted by Lions.
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If there is a change or change of possession of the ball during a down, the team that had possession last retains possession thereafter, including if one of the fouls is a post-possession foul by a team during a scrimmage kick . A foul will only be enforced if the player did not commit a foul prior to his last possession of the ball.
ESPN's Stephen Holder contributed to this article.