New NFL Kickoff Rules

Now that the lock-out is over, the big fuss this new NFL season is the change to the kickoff. In prior years, kickoff was from the 30 yard line and allowed room on the field for some spectacular plays that made a name for players like Devon Hester. The impact of special team play related to kickoffs is reduced by the new rules.

The new kickoff rules have moved the kickoff up to the 35 yard line and requires the kickoff team to have all players touching the 30 yard line prior to the kick. So this has created a shorter field to cover, but the kickoff team won’t have the same running start they did in the past. The preseason has shown the rule creating more touchbacks as the kickers will kick the ball deep in the end zone if not over it.

The touchbacks have created all of the controversy by saying that we won’t have as much excitement as we have in the past. I remember in the past couple of years when the Chicago Bears would play and would win due to Devon Hester running back kickoffs and punts. That was how they won because their offense couldn’t move the ball.

Maybe it is a good thing with the kickoff rules change to put a bigger emphasis on a NFL team being a complete package when it comes to offense, defense and special teams. But is the kickoff rule to blame for this change?

I think the kickoff rule is good, but what I don’t understand is why doesn’t the kicker have to start on the 30 yard line to get his running kick too? Does the NFL not consider the kicker a player and is why they don’t get paid to wear the uniform with pads underneath?

Make the kicker start at the 30 yard line to get his running start to kick the ball too. They don’t have a problem shortening their running distance for field goals and punts, so why should they have more space to run for kickoffs?

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