new kickoff rule

[Harlan Huckleby]

This is old news that was probably already discussed by the losers who hang out in this forum in May. Be that as it may....

• The kickoff team must line up with five players on each side of the ball (five players, the kicker in the middle, and five more players. Previously, a team could line up four players on one side and six on the other.

• The players on the kickoff team cannot line up any deeper than one yard off the ball, which is placed at the 35-yard line. Previously, players could line up five yards off the ball and get a running start.

• At least two players must line up outside of the yard-line number and two players between the inbound line and yard-line number. Previously, at least three players on the kickoff team had to line up outside each inbound line.

• At least eight players on the kickoff return unit must line up in the 15-yard “setup zone” prior to kickoff, and only three can remain outside of that setup zone. Previously, all kickoff return players only had to be behind their restraining line. This rule moves players on the return unit closer to the ball to reduce the speed and space on the play.

• No wedge blocks are permitted. Previously, two-man wedge blocks were allowed. This change limits the blocking schemes permitted by players on the return unit.

• The ball also is dead if it’s not touched by the receiving team in the end zone. The ball would simply be ruled a touchback.


All looks good to me. I'd be fine if they got rid of kickoffs completely, they rarely are interesting.

Only question I have: doesn't this make onsides kicks harder?

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Good post, Harlan.

Wanna know what would make the "kickoff" interesting, and at the same time, all but annihilate injuries on good, normal kickoffs? Have the kicker "free kick" the rock for ball placements. For example, if the kicker makes a 55 yard, uncontested free kick, and the other team starts at the 20; a 60 yarder, the 15, and so on. Miss and the return team starts at the 25 by default, or maybe the 30.

As for onsides, put the ball on the "kicking" team's 40 and make it 4th and 15. If the kicking team gains 15 or more yards, or the "return team" commits a penalty that results in the chain gang moving the chains, the kicking teams keeps the ball. If not, the return team gets the rock at the spot where the kicking team last was officially downed. For example, if the GAB throws a bomb perfectly to D-Adams, he whom once upon a time, couldn't catch a cold while standing naked on the south pole with the mighty Emperor Penguins, but D-Adams drops it as it was hot, the "return team" gets the rock at the 40; complete a 10 yards pass, the 50.

And wanna know what else needs to be annihilated? The Pistol Force. When I was a young un, I was a shutdown corner. My coaches tried to preach the Pistol Force to moi, but I was like, Fuck that shit, yo! Imma shutdown corner. Just put me on an island and lemme do my thing! Whatever the heck the Pistol Force is, it can't be good for football, and society as a whole for that matter.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Bear, your alternative kickoff makes my head spin. It sounds like a halftime contest for charity. But if we go there, maybe just let a fan chosen by lottery kick the ball from the 20 and the ball is taken where it stops rolling. Or better yet, replace the kickoff with an NBA style jump ball at the 50 yard line.

[KYPack]

Good post, Harlan.

Wanna know what would make the "kickoff" interesting, and at the same time, all but annihilate injuries on good, normal kickoffs? Have the kicker "free kick" the rock for ball placements. For example, if the kicker makes a 55 yard, uncontested free kick, and the other team starts at the 20; a 60 yarder, the 15, and so on. Miss and the return team starts at the 25 by default, or maybe the 30.

As for onsides, put the ball on the "kicking" team's 40 and make it 4th and 15. If the kicking team gains 15 or more yards, or the "return team" commits a penalty that results in the chain gang moving the chains, the kicking teams keeps the ball. If not, the return team gets the rock at the spot where the kicking team last was officially downed. For example, if the GAB throws a bomb perfectly to D-Adams, he whom once upon a time, couldn't catch a cold while standing naked on the south pole with the mighty Emperor Penguins, but D-Adams drops it as it was hot, the "return team" gets the rock at the 40; complete a 10 yards pass, the 50.

And wanna know what else needs to be annihilated? The Pistol Force. When I was a young un, I was a shutdown corner. My coaches tried to preach the Pistol Force to moi, but I was like, Fuck that shit, yo! Imma shutdown corner. Just put me on an island and lemme do my thing! Whatever the heck the Pistol Force is, it can't be good for football, and society as a whole for that matter.

You weren't a shutdown corner, but you are certainly nuts.

[red]

yes, make the game even more complicated and harder to understand

just what the nfl needs

[mraynrand]

Bear, your alternative kickoff makes my head spin. It sounds like a halftime contest for charity. But if we go there, maybe just let a fan chosen by lottery kick the ball from the 20 and the ball is taken where it stops rolling. Or better yet, replace the kickoff with an NBA style jump ball at the 50 yard line.

How about a spinning dart board with the various starting field positions on 'em? Or better David Stern could pick balls from a drum on the JumboTron while we watch in suspense. Holy Crap, the Packers start on the Patrick Ewing yard line!

[KYPack]

There is another rule change this season (I think) that can really affect the game. We all know the feet first slide rule. The refs spot the ball when the QB slides feet first at the point where the qb started the slide. PFT had an article today that the rule is changed. Now it is applied whether the QB slides OR dives the ball is spotted where he started his dive or slide. AND the rule applies to all players. Any ball carrier is down where they start their dive or slide. This is a big thing. It would negate many plays and is a huge change.

The notice about this change doesn't state whether it's experimental in the Pre-season or in effect for the whole year. The implication is that this is the rule for the year.

If it is, it could be the biggest can of worms the NFL has opened in many a year.

[texaspackerbacker]

You would just about have to go to college rules that way - down is down, contact or not. I would say that is a step in the wrong direction.

[red]

There is another rule change this season (I think) that can really affect the game. We all know the feet first slide rule. The refs spot the ball when the QB slides feet first at the point where the qb started the slide. PFT had an article today that the rule is changed. Now it is applied whether the QB slides OR dives the ball is spotted where he started his dive or slide. AND the rule applies to all players. Any ball carrier is down where they start their dive or slide. This is a big thing. It would negate many plays and is a huge change.

The notice about this change doesn't state whether it's experimental in the Pre-season or in effect for the whole year. The implication is that this is the rule for the year.

If it is, it could be the biggest can of worms the NFL has opened in many a year.

so, no more jumping over the line for a TD or diving for the endzone?

are the guys going to be wearing flags this year too? that would eliminate the excessive contact that comes from 2 hand touch

[red]

How about a spinning dart board with the various starting field positions on 'em? Or better David Stern could pick balls from a drum on the JumboTron while we watch in suspense. Holy Crap, the Packers start on the Patrick Ewing yard line!

we aren't too far away from that right now

[Harlan Huckleby]

You would just about have to go to college rules that way - down is down, contact or not. I would say that is a step in the wrong direction.

That's what KY's explanation sounded like to me. ANY player starts a slide, their down.

I see that this changes the game a bit, but I don't understand how it will really be a big deal. I doesn't make the game that much less violent, if that's what you are getting at.

[Harlan Huckleby]

so, no more jumping over the line for a TD or diving for the endzone?

what do those plays have to do with sliding?

[red]

That's what KY's explanation sounded like to me. ANY player starts a slide, their down.

I see that this changes the game a bit, but I don't understand how it will really be a big deal. I doesn't make the game that much less violent, if that's what you are getting at.

the rule applies to ALL players for slides AND dives

so, no more diving for that first down

and i would have to imagine we now have to figure out if guys are diving forward or falling forward. can't wait for those instant replay reviews and the debate that will follow. "was his intent to fall forward? is the ball placed where the players first foot left the ground, or the second foot?"

ah the fun

[red]

what do those plays have to do with sliding?

from KY

Now it is applied whether the QB slides OR dives the ball is spotted where he started his dive or slide. AND the rule applies to all players. Any ball carrier is down where they start their dive or slide

[red]

favre would have been down at the 3. game over

elway also wouldn't have gotten that first down