NFL Preseason in Inglewood: Understanding the New Dynamic Kickoff Rule

In Inglewood, California, the 2024 NFL preseason is in full swing, and one of the most talked-about changes this year is the new Dynamic Kickoff rule. As fans catch their first glimpse of this revamped kickoff, there are many adjustments players must make as they adapt to these new guidelines. Let’s break down how this new kickoff system works.

The ball is still kicked from the team’s own 35-yard line, and after a safety, it will be kicked from the 20-yard line. However, the player alignment is where things get interesting. All players on the kicking team will align with one foot on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Unlike the traditional kickoff where players start running after the kick, now they must wait for the ball to hit the ground or be touched by a player in the landing zone, which spans from the receiving team’s 20-yard line to the goal line.

On the other side, the receiving team must also adhere to specific setups. They will have a five-yard area from the 35-yard line to the 30-yard line, and at least nine players must line up facing the kicking team. Out of these, at least seven must have a foot on the 35-yard line. Players in the setup zone outside the hash marks cannot move until the kick is made, mirroring the rules of the kicking team.

Another unique rule is that only two returners can be on the field during these kickoffs, but they can move freely. The special teams coaches are now looking for creative tactics to leverage these new guidelines.

For those kicks landing in the designated area, if the ball does not stay in the landing zone and bounces out, it will be treated like an out-of-bounds kick. The offense will start their drive from the 40-yard line if this happens. These adjustments encourage kickers to aim for precision over power.

In terms of penalties, the same principles apply. Penalties will only move back the spot of the kick but will not alter the setup zones. This might add further challenges for kickers trying to nail their kicks inside the landing zone reliably.

As with any change, both teams are experimenting with their strategies throughout the preseason. The hope with the new Dynamic Kickoff rule is to promote more exciting returns, making kickoff plays potentially more thrilling and strategic than in previous seasons.