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ok_gasman's avatar
ok_gasman
Rising Traveler
1 year ago
Solved

What's up with the kickoff formation (offsides)

Why are the kickoff coverage teams lining up offside on the other side of midfield?

  • It’s a new rule the NFL instituted a few days ago.  Ten of each side line up at the 40 and none can move until the returner touches the ball.  K & KR are the only ones that can move before touching the ball.  More bizarre is the limited touchbacks.  I don’t think you can fair catch at all anymore but I gotta look that up.  Anyway … you’ll see this in the regular season now.  I went to a preseason game yesterday and it’s definitely weird.  Seemed like 

7 Replies

  • It’s a new rule the NFL instituted a few days ago.  Ten of each side line up at the 40 and none can move until the returner touches the ball.  K & KR are the only ones that can move before touching the ball.  More bizarre is the limited touchbacks.  I don’t think you can fair catch at all anymore but I gotta look that up.  Anyway … you’ll see this in the regular season now.  I went to a preseason game yesterday and it’s definitely weird.  Seemed like 

  • itsmraj2u's avatar
    itsmraj2u
    1 year ago

    They’re making it super hard but it is still possible.  Still no movement until a player on the other team touches it.

    it’s going to take some getting used to.

  • Yeah, another ridiculous kickoff rule enforced by the No Fun League! (as if the previous 25-yd line rule following a touchback wasn't bad enough...) 👎 Next thing you know, players on the return team will get flagged for a false start if they move out of formation before the returner even touches the ball...😵‍💫 And yes ... you can no longer do onside kicks, nor can you squib it downfield anymore! (which was my favorite choice as long as I still had 10 sec or less left on the clock, cause chances were I would get a fumble recovery right before time expired...💪🏈)

  • Hmm, I didn't realize that 4th qtr option for onside kicks was only when your team is trailing! 🤔 Interesting! And besides, I haven't even noticed it yet since I've been blowing out/shutting out my opponent a good majority of the time...😂

    And to answer the other person's question regarding fair catches: No, I don't think the fair catch exists anymore following this new kickoff rule, though I noticed you can still do it on punt returns...🏈

  • ok_gasman's avatar
    ok_gasman
    Rising Traveler
    1 year ago

    Thanks for the info, I had not heard about that.

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