The NFL will have a new kickoff format in 2024, modeled after the XFL’s successful format in 2020 and 2023. This new format aims to reduce injuries while increasing the chance of exciting returns, which had nearly disappeared from the game. Coaches and players who experienced success with this new format in the XFL have provided insights into its nuances. The new rules keep the risk of injury low but incentivize returns by offering added incentives. A touchback now results in the ball being placed at the 30-yard line instead of the 25, encouraging more returns.
Under the previous kickoff model, the touchback rate was 78%, leading to only about one in five kickoffs being returned. The hope with the new rules is to increase the rate of returns closer to 80%, making the play more dynamic and engaging for fans. Players who excelled in the XFL’s kickoff format emphasized the importance of vision, patience, and setting up blocks to capitalize on potential seams for successful returns. The new rules aim to bring back the excitement of kickoff-return touchdowns, which had become increasingly rare in recent years.
The new kickoff rules present a different challenge for kickers, requiring accuracy in ball placement rather than simply kicking it through the end zone. Penalties are harsh for kicks that go out of bounds or fall short of the designated area, making it essential for kickers to adapt to the new format. With fewer touchbacks expected under the new rules, teams may need to reconsider how they populate their kickoff and coverage units, potentially using players like starting defensive backs as gunners.
Coaches are acknowledging the initial reluctance to the new kickoff model but are finding ways to embrace and even enjoy the changes. The new rules have the potential to change the dynamics of special teams units, with a greater emphasis on speed and tackling abilities. Players appreciate the relative safety brought by the new format while also relishing the opportunity to reintroduce game-changing plays back into special teams. Overall, the new kickoff format is expected to bring back an exciting element of the game that had been missing in recent years.
Thomas Morstead, a veteran NFL punter, and various coaches and players who experienced the new kickoff format in the XFL have shared their insights and experiences with the new rules. With the ball placement and penalties associated with kicks under the new rules, kickers will need to adjust their strategies to maximize the benefits of the format. The new kickoff rules aim to strike a balance between safety and excitement, offering players and fans a renewed sense of anticipation for kickoff returns in the upcoming NFL season.
