NFL owners approve new hybrid kickoff rule developed by XFL on trial basis

The NFL owners approved a major new rule for kickoffs, Tuesday, with proponents proclaiming that it will allow these kicks to be relevant again.

So say good bye to the fair catch, at least for this season, which will be a trial run for the new rules.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network broke the news early Tuesday. He quoted an unnamed source who said the owners did approve the major change, an idea that came from the XFL.

Kicking off a new era: Owners just approved the NFL Hybrid Kickoff rule, per source.

After years of tweaks turned one of the game’s most exciting moments into a “dead, ceremonial play”, the league hopes this overhaul will yield what it wants: fewer injuries and more returns. pic.twitter.com/jHLAjZJm0z

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 26, 2024

NFL scrambles kick formations with rule change

Here is what the NFL said yes to doing this fall.

The kicker stands alone. He will set up the ball at his own 35-yard line. Once he kicks the ball, he can’t cross midfield until the returnman catches the ball, or the ball hits the dirt or it gets to the end zone.

Meanwhile, the remaining 10 players on the kick team will line up at the receiving team’s 40. There must be five lined up to each side. Also, each player must have one toe on the 40 before the play can start.

As for the receiving team, most of them will be five yards away from the kick team. Seven players will line up at the 35-yard line. Also, two more players can be in the so called set up zone, but they will line up outside the hashmarks.

The receiving team also can field two returnmen. If a team only uses one, the other guy can be in the setup zone between the 30 and 35.

Oh, we left out the main detail. There will be no more fair catches. Adam Schefter shared a video clip of a kick in the XFL.

Here’s what the new NFL kickoff will look like this season: pic.twitter.com/vtR5bqGZLK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2024

No more onside kicks until fourth quarter

Also, the NFL owners also changed the rules to tweak the rules for an onside kick. These kicks now can only happen in the fourth quarter. The coach also has to let officials know an onside kick is about to happen.

So why did the NFL change it up? The kick had gone stale. Last season, the league said it had the lowest return rate in history. You can read the details of what the NFL approved here.