Breaking down the new kickoff rule ahead of Bears vs. Texans preseason game

The NFL has completely revamped kickoffs for the 2024 season, and for fans who haven’t paid much attention to this change during the offseason, games will look very different.

The new rule is being implemented on a one-year trial basis, if it hurts the game, the league will remove it. However, with player safety being the top concern, the new rule will be here to stay as long as injuries are down.

A few basic nuts and bolts of the new rule are:

• 10 members of the kicking team line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. They can’t move until the kick is caught or hits the ground.
• The receiving team has at least nine players in the “set-up zone” between their 30- and 35-yard line. Seven of those players must have a foot on the 35-yard line and must adhere to alignment requirements. They can’t move until the ball is caught, either
• A maximum of two players can be in the landing zone, which is between the end zone and the 20-yard line. They can move freely around the field to field the kick.
• If a kick lands in the landing zone, it’s live and must be returned. If it isn’t caught, it’s a live ball (like an onside kick).
• If a kick doesn’t reach the landing zone, the receiving team gets the ball on the 40-yard line.
• If a kick reaches the end zone, the receiving team can down it for a touchback (ball goes to the 30-yard line). However, if the ball bounces into the end zone and the receiving team downs it for a touchback, the ball only moves to the 20-yard line.
• There are no fair catches allowed on kickoffs.

Understand? Yeah, we thought you might be confused. Here’s a much more thorough breakdown of the new rule by some of the best special team coaches, including Chicago Bears coach Richard Hightower.

.@NFL coaches John Fassel, Darren Rizzi and Richard Hightower discuss the details of the new kickoff rule and what it means for players and football fans.

Check out the full discussion: https://t.co/Fru6H2s5Ua@dallascowboys | @Saints | @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/mvoK6ewJYB

— Troy Vincent, Sr. (@TroyVincentSr) August 1, 2024