New NFL kickoff rules: What to know about the new dynamic kickoff, why changes were made

The NFL has made its biggest change to kickoffs in recent memory with the new dynamic kickoff rules .

Designed to limit injuries while encouraging more returns, the new format with unique formations will take some getting used to for fans.

The overall impact of the rules in terms of an increase will remain to be seen. But the NFL is trying something new.

Here's what you need to know about the new NFL kickoff rules:

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What are the new NFL kickoff rules?

The first thing that fans will notice are the formations.

The kicking team must line up:

• The 10 players must line up across the return team's 40-yard line and must be stationary.
• The kicker is lined up on his own at the kicking team's 35-yard line.

The return team must line up:

• At least seven players on the return team's 35-yard line.
• At least two players on the return team's 30-yard line.
• No more than two players in the landing zone between the 20-yard line and the goal line.

As for the rules about the landing zone and touchbacks:

• The players cannot move until the ball is received by the return man or hits the ground.
• The kickoff must at least make it to the 20-yard line, and the ball must be returned if it lands between the 20-yard line and the goal line.
• If the ball lands in the end zone, the return team can opt for a touchback out to their own 30-yard line or for a return. If the ball is kicked through the end zone, the return team will have a touchback out to their own 30-yard line.
• If the ball hits in the landing zone but rolls into the end zone, the touchback comes out to the return team's 20-yard line.
• If the kickoff goes out of bounds or does not make the 20, the play is dead once the ball lands and the receiving team will get the ball on their own 40-yard line.

Why are the players starting so far up in these dynamic kickoffs?

The NFL's goal is more competitive kickoff returns in a safer environment, and the health component is important. So with the kicking team's players lined up and standing at the returning team's 40-yard line, and the returning team's players stationary across their own 30 and 35-yard lines until the return man receives the ball, the play is designed for fewer high-speed collisions.

What about onside kicks?

The kicking team must declare ahead of time that they are attempting an onside kick. Otherwise, the current onside kick rules remain the same.

Why were these changes made?

The injury component was mentioned in a previous section, but the competitive reason is to motivate teams to return kickoffs more often without 11 players on one team absorbing contact from 11 players on the other team at a full sprint.

After two regular season games, the results aren't exactly as intended. In Chiefs-Ravens, Kansas City opted for the touchback in all six kickoffs while Baltimore had touchbacks on three of five kickoffs. In Packers-Eagles, the two teams combined for 10 touchbacks in 13 kickoffs. The NFL said this offseason that 22% of kickoffs were returned in 2023, and the rate after two 2024 regular season games is 21%.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New NFL kickoff rules: What to know about the new dynamic kickoff, why changes were made