NFL’s New Kickoff Rule Clarified in Perfect Video Before Hall of Fame Game

The 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game, which will be played Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans, will see the league's new kickoff rule implemented for the first time.

The rule, approved on March 26 and modeled after the XFL’s kickoff format, aims to enhance player safety and increase the number of kick returns, according to the NFL’s Operations website.

Under the new rule, the kicker will position himself on his own 35-yard line, while his teammates will line up on the opposing team’s 40-yard line, 25 yards away from their kicker, and 5 yards away from the blockers on the other team.

The receiving team will line up on their own 40-yard line, 5 yards away from the kicking team.

Importantly, nobody, except for the kicker and the returner, is allowed to move until the returner catches the ball.

This rule aims to minimize collisions and improve player safety.

Another key aspect of the new rule is the 'landing zone,' which is the area between the receiving team’s goal line and its 20-yard line.

If the ball is caught within this landing zone, the returner must advance the ball. Fair catches are no longer permitted in this area, encouraging more returns—a response to the decreasing return rates seen in recent seasons.

Additionally, there are new touchback regulations. If a kick doesn’t reach the landing zone, the ball will be placed at the 40-yard line.

Kicks that go out of the back of the end zone or land in the end zone will be placed at the receiving team’s 30-yard line. If a kick lands in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone, it will be spotted at the 20-yard line.

For onside kicks, the formation remains unchanged from previous years. However, teams must now wait until the fourth quarter to attempt them and must declare their intention to the officials.

This change eliminates surprise onside kicks.

Overall, these new kickoff rules are aimed at increasing return rates, reducing injuries, and improving the game’s excitement and safety.

Last year, the NFL saw the lowest return rate in history at just 22%, making these changes a significant step toward revitalizing this aspect of the game.

This evolution reflects the NFL’s ongoing efforts to refine kickoff procedures throughout its history.

1920s : Kickoffs initially took place from the 40-yard line during the NFL's early years.

1933 : The kickoff spot was moved to the 35-yard line to increase the frequency of returns.

1940s : Various touchback rules were experimented with, placing the ball at the 20-yard line if it wasn't returned.

1950s : Kickoffs were again moved to the 40-yard line to reduce touchbacks and encourage returns.

1974 : The kickoff point was moved back to the 35-yard line, with touchbacks placing the ball at the 20-yard line.

1994 : Kickoffs were shifted to the 30-yard line, significantly increasing the number of returns.

2001 : New onside kick rules were implemented to limit high-speed collisions.

2011 : The NFL moved the kickoff back to the 35-yard line to reduce the number of returns and enhance player safety.

2016 : Touchbacks were moved to the 25-yard line to incentivize taking a knee in the end zone.

2018 : New rules limited running starts for the kicking team and required a more static setup for the receiving team.

2021 : Ongoing discussions and innovations continue to explore safer and more exciting kickoff formats.

2024: The league introduced a new free kick play that aligns players closer together and restricts movement, aiming to resemble a scrimmage and promote more returns similar to the XFL

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