I'm a fan of kickoffs and punts as these plays can in an instant change the momentum of the game. Both have some of the highest injury risk for plays in the game but all plays have risk and I doubt the game can ever be made entirely safe. I convinced the NFL would prefer to eliminate kickoffs entirely (with punts to follow) but would make it more unwatchable.

These are just the rule changes made to formation and kickoff spot in the SB era. You can see a complete list of all kickoff changes at the following link.

https://www.footballzebras.com/2018/...rules-changes/

Formation
2006 A minimum of 4 kicking team players must be on both sides of the ball

2009 Kicking team must have on each side of the ball at least 3 players outside the hashmarks including 1 outside the numbers

2011 Kicking team players must be no more than 5 yards behind the ball

2018 Kicking team players must be no more than 1 yard behind the ball and no prekick motion

2018 Kicking team players must have 5 on either side of the ball, at least 2 between hashmarks and numbers, at least 2 outside numbers

2018 Receiving team must have 8 players within the “setup zone” (15-yd zone between 10-25 yards from the ball)

2018 Receiving team cannot exit the setup zone on either side until the ball touches the ground or a player

2021 Receiving team is permitted to have a 9th player in the setup zone at their option

Kickoff Spot
1974 35-yard line

1994 30-yard line (17 seasons)

2008 Kickoff must be made at the restraining line, removing an option to place anywhere behind

2011 35-yard line (33 seasons total, as of 2023)