New rules change kickoffs

At the kickoff, the two teams are now much closer together. Other than the kicker and receivers, players must stay in position until the ball touches the ground or touches a receiving player in the landing zone or end zone.

KICKER

Kicker starts at his team’s 35-yard line

Kicker starts at his team’s 35-yard line

1

All other kick- ing team's players are at the receiving team's 40-yard line

All other kick- ing team's players are at the receiving team's 40-yard line

2

At least nine receiving players line up between the 35-yard line and 30, with at least seven at

the 35

At least nine receiving players line up between the 35-yard line and 30, with at least seven at

the 35

LANDING ZONE

Two players

in motion in

the landing

zone

Two players

in motion in

the landing

zone

3

Source: NFL

Mark Boswell, The Minnesota Star Tribune

New rules change kickoffs

At the kickoff, the two teams are now much closer together. Other than the kicker and receivers, players must stay in position until the ball touches the ground or touches a receiving player in the landing zone or end zone.

Kicker starts at his team’s 35-yard line

Kicker starts at his team’s 35-yard line

1

KICKER

All other kicking team's players are at the receiving team's 40-yard line

All other kicking team's players are at the receiving team's 40-yard line

At least nine receiving players line up between the 35-yard line and 30, with at least seven at the 35

At least nine receiving players line up between the 35-yard line and 30, with at least seven at the 35

2

LANDING ZONE

3

Two players

in motion in the landing zone

Two players

in motion in the landing zone

Source: NFL

Mark Boswell, The Minnesota Star Tribune

New rules change kickoffs

At the kickoff, the two teams are now much closer together. Other than the kicker and receivers, players must stay in position until the ball touches the ground or touches receiving player in the landing zone or end zone.

Kicker starts at his team’s 35-yard line

Kicker starts at his team’s 35-yard line

1

KICKER

All other kicking team's players are at the receiving team's 40-yard line

All other kicking team's players are at the receiving team's 40-yard line

2

At least nine receiving players line up between the 35-yard line and 30, with at least seven at the 35

At least nine receiving players line up between the 35-yard line and 30, with at least seven at the 35

Two players

in motion in the landing zone

LANDING ZONE

Two players

in motion in the landing zone

3

Source: NFL

Mark Boswell, The Minnesota Star Tribune