Adam WellsMarch 26, 2024
Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images
Kickoffs throughout NFL video games will look various in 2024 after owners voted to authorize the hybrid guideline modification on Tuesday.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported the guideline passed 29-3, with the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers being the only dissenting votes.
The hybrid kickoff guideline enables 10 non-kickers on the kicking group to line up at the challenger’s 40-yard line.
The getting group needs to position a minimum of 7 of its gamers in between its own 30- and 35-yard lines in the “established zone.” They are allowed to permit an optimum of 2 gamers in the “landing zone” in between the objective line and 20-yard line.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
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Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
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NFL.com’s Michael Baca kept in mind the numerous circumstances included with the kickoff when the competitors committee initially proposed the modification.
Amongst the bottom lines are kickoffs that struck the landing zone should be returned and kickoffs short of the landing zone will be dealt with like an out-of-bounds kickoff, with the ball being put on the getting group’s 40-yard line.
If a kickoff strikes the landing zone and enters into completion zone, the getting group needs to either return the ball or down it. If the ball is downed in the end zone, it will be positioned at the getting group’s 20-yard line.
A kickoff that enters into completion zone, remains inbounds and comes down will be put at the 35-yard line for the getting group.
The guideline is a customized variation of the one that was utilized in the XFL throughout the 2020 and 2023 seasons. The XFL variation had the group beginning line up at the challenger’s 35-yard line, rather of the 40-yard line in the NFL.
Tuesday’s authorized guideline modification follows the NFL promoted the success of reducing the variety of concussions on kickoffs throughout the 2023 season. The league’s information specified concussions stopped by 60 percent from 20 in 2022 to 8 last season.
This is the 2nd significant guideline modification authorized today. Owners all voted to prohibit the hip-drop deal with on Monday. An infraction will lead to a 15-yard charge and might lead to gamers being fined.
