NFL accidentally causes mass confusion over new kickoff rules ahead of 2024 season
When it comes to football and other sports, all rule changes tend to be controversial. However, close to everyone seems to be in agreement that the NFL nailed its recent decision to overhaul its kickoff format for the 2024 season. After fears of the kickoff being a play slowly headed toward extinction, the league has […]
When it comes to football and other sports, all rule changes tend to be controversial. However, close to everyone seems to be in agreement that the NFL nailed its recent decision to overhaul its kickoff format for the 2024 season.
After fears of the kickoff being a play slowly headed toward extinction, the league has chosen a path that not only will resurrect it but it'll also prevent injuries.
But not all is perfect: Days after the approval of the rule at the league owner meetings, there's still some confusion, which was accidentally caused by the NFL, about a key element of the new rules. Where is the ball spotted in touchback situations? We've got answers for you.
If you haven't you can check out the new rules in the clip below:
As you probably know by now, a key element of this new kickoff format is that the kicking team is motivated to kick it inside the landing zone instead of aiming for the end zone or beyond the end zone to avoid a return. The way the league is making this happen is by establishing rules that provide a more favorable starting point for the offense if the ball is kicked into the end zone or if it goes out of the back of the end zone:
- Any kick that hits in the landing zone and then goes into the end zone – must be returned or downed by receiving team – if downed then touchback to B20 yard line
- Kick hits in end zone, stays inbounds – returned or downed – if downed then touchback to B30 yard line
- Any kick that goes out of the back of the end zone (in the air or bounces) – touchback to B30 yard line
Starting at the 30 after a kickoff is obviously a positive for the offense, so expect kickers around the league to actually aim for the landing zone most of the time.
However, there are many websites and even NFL teams that have announced the rule changes by claiming the touchback spot is the 35-yard line instead of the 30. The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers websites, for example, listed the touchback spot at the 30 as of Tuesday.
Evidently, this led to some confusion among media members and fans as if you go on your browser and search for the rule change, there's a 50-50 chance you'll get the wrong version of the rule, even if you click on an NFL team's website.
However, we've made sure of what the rule is: Per NFL Operations, it's a touchback to the 30-yard line if it hits the end zone or goes out of the back of it.
So what caused the confusion?
Going over the official league document of proposals ahead of the league annual meetings, we now understand where the whole chaos came from: The original proposal was for such touchbacks to go to the 35-yard line.
However, during the voting process, it got amended to the 30-yard line. Many sites, from NFL teams to several news publishers, used the summary of the proposal when news broke about the rule being approved.
Now you know for sure though. We're excited for a new era of special teams around the league.
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