Kickoff Rules...

[drjohnnyfever]

Would someone, everyone, be so kind as to explain what is going on with the kick off rules. Starting at the 20, 30, 40 depending on if it's kicked in a "reception zone." I was unaware of this change. I imagine that it is to further discourage runbacks, but it seemed like the new rules were actually penalizing kicks that landed in the endzone and bounced thru or ones that sailed completely thru. That seems a negative for Tucker...

I could look it up on Google, but I appreciate the points of view on the changes.

 

[Simba]

They're encouraging more kick returns, while trying to limit the high speed collisions that contribute to injuries. None of the coverage units can move until the returner catches the ball.

Kicker essentially has to get it in the landing zone, which is between the goal line and the 20 yard line. Kicks in the landing zone must be returned. If he kicks a touchback, it goes to the 30. If the ball does not reach the landing zone, it goes to the 40.

 

[Tank]

In theory I think this is a cool change, brings another level of kicking skill into play, brings back the importance of a returner and does away with the boring touchbacks. We'll see how it plays out once the season starts.

 

[Simba]

In theory I think this is a cool change, brings another level of kicking skill into play, brings back the importance of a returner and does away with the boring touchbacks. We'll see how it plays out once the season starts.

Yeah I think it's a good move. It got to the point where a kickoff was basically just an automatic start at the 25 yard line. But they also weren't wrong (at least statistically speaking) that ST is where a good number of major injuries happened because it is such high speed that doesn't exist elsewhere in the game, so a good happy medium to try out.